Photos courtesy of Parks Canada
NEW
September 2010
TIARA grades the performance of Council for
the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
Performance Report Card
of TLTI Council
Evaluated and graded by TIARA
For the 4 yr term ending Autumn 2010
2 September, 2010
The TLTI Council stated its objectives and announced its ‘accomplishments’ in a document under three headings:
1) Economic Measurements;
2) Social Measurements; and
3) Environmental Measurements.
For each objective Council lists the actions taken.
We would prefer them to lists results, but for many objectives
there do not appear to be any results of the actions taken.
We have graded their efforts from A (excellent) to F (failure) as follows.
Economic Measurements Council stated:
1) "We will promote our natural attributes, waterways, rivers and lakes”. No accomplishments were claimed for this objective, only statements in the present tense stating that they are ‘participating’, ‘engaged in’, and ‘partnering with’. Our response is that before promoting it is necessary to protect our natural values. Council evidently does not regard this as an important objective. No mention is made of stimulating sustainable tourism, and no results have been achieved. Grade D
2) "We will welcome economic development by promoting new businesses to enlarge the tax base." No accomplishments by the Economic Development Committee are listed. The EDC strategic plan is not described. Council does not claim to have attracted any new businesses to our township and no mention is made of attracting businesses that are in harmony with our unique ecology, geology and environmental values. Grade F
3) "We will communicate with neighbouring Townships on common problems and solutions." The mayor’s and Council’s participation in County affairs is part of the their job description. We do not understand how alternatives to the present methods of waste management can be of economic benefit to the community. Grade D
4) "We will become one community. We will work with Gananoque on Economic Development cost sharing of services, job creation, new initiatives for business and industry." Council’s relations with Gananoque appear to be hostile rather than friendly and no accomplishments are listed except a joint agreement with ‘Gananoque for recreation, fire services and economic development. No results of this agreement are claimed. Grade D
5) "We will promote all-season tourism and recreation." No results are listed for this objective except “ for handing out “8000 rack cards and 7000 1000 Islands dressing packages, and no claims are made for resulting economic benefit for TLTI. Grade C
Social measurements
Council Stated:
1) "Council will communicate what they can do and what they can’t." The township newsletter has explained County and Township responsibilities. Grade B
2) "We will listen and communicate effectively." Council listens but does not hear. Listening effectively requires responding and this rarely happens. It is clear that Council controls what is discussed. This is a form of censorship which is unacceptable. Grade F
3) "We will create a one community concept. We will think strategically not procedurally." Not a single result of this objective is listed. There is no evidence of strategic thinking except perhaps the decision to fund a rural fireman’s training program at taxpayers’ expense without a business plan nor any commitments from neighboring townships that they would use it and in spite of a centre already in
Kingston . Grade F
4) "We will create a youth council and library Board Committees." No action taken. Grade F
5) "The ward system will be abolished." This was not done and perhaps we should be thankful for that. Grade F
Environmental Well Being Measurements
Council’s environmental well-being objectives deal only with waste management and roads. They fail to say anything about protecting our unique biosphere, wetlands, rivers islands and lakes and make no mention about water pollution, protection of our fragile well water supply or ecology We conclude that Council has no interest in protecting these crucially important environmental features. Grade F
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