The Mayor's comments that our transit system is a luxury has had the right effect making residents angry and having them come forward to say that transit is not a luxury item.
Mostly, residents do not show any interest in the budget process. The new Mayor has hopefully changed that and has drawn them into the discussion. He has done it in a way that has upset people. Good for him! Get people angry and draw them into the discussion.
We need to get people to tell Council what is important to them.
We now also need to have the next part of the discussion and that is to identify what we are willing to give up. Asking for things is easy. No one wants to talk about what they are willing to give up.
We continuously see correspondence, delegations, and presentations on everybody's wants. What we do not see is what they are willing to give up getting what they want.
Council should be asking each person or organization as they come forward asking for something, what are they willing to give up elsewhere.
Council should also be asking the same question amongst themselves.
When Councillors submit their own requests for funding, they should identify what they are willing to give up elsewhere.
As for transit, transit will continue and likely with more funding than we can afford.
Dennis Nabieszko