After more than an hour of discussion about the increase in sewer and water rates and changes to the categories for the two utilities, there was still more council work to be done on the evening of Jan. 14.
And before the meeting had even started, a serious chunk of time had been put in by councillors, mayor, and staff to understand the information so that a well-informed decision could be made. There are a lot of decisions to be made in council chambers, and a limited amount of time to make them.
Serving as a councillor or the mayor for a municipality isn’t an easy job, whether it’s a small village or large city. Here in Nakusp, money paid to be on council isn’t enough to quit your day job and enter the realm of politics full time (remuneration: $6,138 councillor, $12,276 mayor).
Add on a family and life outside of the work you do for money, and it can become a stretch to find the time needed to go to the meetings, read all the information and energy (and sleep needed) to make good decisions.
Engagement in democratic processes keeps them democratic. People in decision-making positions learn about what is happening out in the wider world either by going out and seeing or by having issues brought to them.
Somehow though, usually through the hard work of Village staff, relevant information and concerns need to make their way to people who can do something about it. In terms of municipal issues, this means council and mayor.
Municipal politics are the ones closest to home, the most immediate governmental forum where people can have an impact on policies, see how decisions that affect them are being made, and bring their knowledge and expertise to bear.
On a municipal level, residents can have a significant impact on what happens at town hall. It’s easy: go to council meetings, find out what’s going on, ask questions and get your concern on the agenda.
It’s hard not to feel jaded and as though nothing is worth the effort because it doesn’t make a difference anyway when so many decisions are made in circumstances that seem to be beyond our control.
Changes in taxation, pension regulations, mandatory minimum sentences: decisions made in Ottawa can have real consequences in our lives, and our input can feel irrelevant.
The sense of distance and helplessness at the hands of politicians can discourage people from getting involved in local politics. Why bother?
I might agree, if I hadn’t seen that people’s efforts have made a difference. New buildings have been erected, events have been planned, funded and enjoyed, often with the support and backing of the Village. And one day chickens may be kept in the Village limits. Anything is possible.
Locally produced changes can make their way to the provincial and federal level, like the proposed changes to provincial trapline regulations that Area K director Paul Peterson recently introduced at an RDCK meeting.
Peterson is realistic, and understands that it will likely take a long time to affect any change, but he still believes it’s worth it, for the safety of people and pets in the future.
At a relatively recent Nakusp council meeting, two new faces were seen in the gallery. A fellow thinking about moving to town decided to check out what the council was like. People research all kinds of things about places they’re moving to, but to go and see what happened in council chambers struck me as being a very wise thing to do.
At the end of every meeting, the mayor asks if there are questions from the public or the media, and frequently I’m the one asking all kinds of questions, relevant or otherwise.
Being relatively new to the town, it’s been a great way to find out more about what has happened in Nakusp in the past. I would love to hear questions other people have and the answers to them.
Next Nakusp council meeting will be held in Council Chambers – the door opens onto the parking lot at the back of the Village Office – starting at 6:30 p.m. sharp on Tuesday Feb. 12. Hope to see you there.
