McDonald, in a news release, says he's frustrated with "committee Chairs pulling items or holding items up in committee or sending items to staff without any debate or consultation among council members. A single member of council, as a committee chair, shouldn’t have the power to hold things up.
“It’s frustrating. I want to move things along and the procedural bylaw gets in the way every time.”
McDonald wants changes to the procedural bylaw to allow quicker votes.
McDonald also said he intends to open up public presentations so more people can make their opinions known to council.
“People can be intimidated by making a public presentation. Time for presentations can hold up and delay council from moving city business forward. I propose public presentations be also held on alternate Mondays with a single member of council and staff from the clerk’s office present to take minutes.”
McDonald also announced today, his support to move North Bay to a ward system.
“I envision five wards with two councillors per ward.” said McDonald. “Citizens should know the councillors they elect, they should be able to call specific councillors with their concerns, and they should be able to vote for candidates based on the candidate's knowledge of, relationship to, and commitment for constituents in a set geographic area.”
The changes will mean an end to the top three candidates automatically being selected Deputy Mayor and Budget Chief and committees Chairs.
“People holding these positions should have the confidence of the Mayor and council and should either be appointed by the Mayor or elected by their colleagues.” said McDonald. “Councillors holding these spots should demonstrate some kind of qualifications other than vote count.”
