On competing visions

There hasn't been much news on the candidate front in municipal politics over the past couple of weeks. But that doesn't mean there haven't been a couple of points worth noting which may play a role in Saskatchewan's municipal races this fall and beyond.

First, there's been plenty of talk from Ontario about the role which a party structure can play within municipal politics. And it shouldn't come as any surprise if a similar issue as to the best type of political organization on the municipal level once again comes to the forefront in Saskatchewan.

Of course, the most recent effort to organize a formal municipal party in Regina looks to have gone quiet for this year's election cycle. But while that likely means that a full party structure is out of the picture for this year, there are plenty of hints that there's still significant interest in developing a concerted progressive effort at the municipal level - including recognition from the NDP's new leader and other party contenders that it's in the provincial party's best interests to develop its own strength through elections for municipal councils and school boards. So stay tuned to see how much progress can be made by the time this year's elections roll around...

Meanwhile, another important theme which figures to be a factor is the recognition even among some elected officials that municipalities are ultimately best served if their positions are tested through a vote rather than being won by acclamation. And Maple Creek's mayor Anne Weisgerber deserves particular credit for her comments:

Weisgerber says winning by acclamation is not a good thing, because it means citizens do not get an opportunity to engage in a discussion about local issues.

"When there's no election, there is no involvement. People don't get as involved," Weisgerber told CBC News on Wednesday. "It also gives people who are running, both for mayor and council, some time to say: 'This is what my vision is for the community. This is what I'd like to see happen'. And when there's no election, that doesn't happen."
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"Yes, I could lose my job," Weisgerber said about her invitation to challengers. "And if the people of the community decide that somebody else is who they want, I guess that's the way it goes."

One would think that Weisgerber's invitation would serve to help break down any perception that a run against an incumbent would be seen as an unwarranted intrusion on the status quo rather than a valuable contribution to one's community. And more importantly, if the message that municipalities ought to have an opportunity to choose between competing visions manages to spread, it could open the door for challengers elsewhere as well - particularly where the incumbents see civic engagement as a threat to be combated rather than a value to be promoted.