Committees of council - a necessary evil in fixing this city
Thanks goes out to BBS for reminding us of some board and committee vacancies at City Hall.
It may be frustrating, thankless work folks, but it’s work that we need to do if we are to make any progress in fixing what ails Windsor
So here’s a list of committees and boards with vacancies and here’s the link to the downloadable application form.
There are some committees that may be of some interest to ScaleDown readers, notably;
Community Public Art Advisory Committee Environmental Planning Advisory Committee Housing Advisory Committee Planning Advisory Committee Windsor Bicycling Committee Windsor Essex County Environment Committee Windsor Heritage Committee
…yet all the committees, at the end of the day, have some affect on the overall quality of life of all Windsor residents.
The applications must be returned to Council Services Office (Room 203, City Hall, Windsor, Ontario, N9A 6S1), or at your local Customer Care Centre (Call 311 for locations) by FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM.
Let’s see if they let me sit on the Planning Advisory Committee this time around (I’ve tried in the past with no luck). City Hall committee work, I’ve learned from experience, is an excellent primer on the inner-workings of City Hall. Yes, the pay sucks, but it teaches you a lot about what goes on behind the scenes, who the real decision makers are and how to successfully lobby our elected officials. Hopefully, I will see more engaged SD readers with me on some of these committees.
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I was shocked how easy it was to get onto a committee. After lunch with Alan Halberstadt a couple of years ago, and an email or two, I was on the EPA committee. Alas, I had to resign my position due to some personal committments that arose after my appointment, but, really, it is not too hard to get involved.
The really scary part is how easy it is to effect change from one of the committees, or even as a participatory citizen. I learned that with the Traffic Calming Policy — http://www.citywindsor.ca/DisplayAttach.asp?AttachID=3316. (Check out Section II — Traffic Calming in New Neighbourhoods. It’s my personal favourite. Suburban developers will hate me
)
i have yet to see a roundabouts in any new development since 2005…
I think there is a loophole there. Any subdivision that was approved prior to the acceptance of the policy may be exempt. The City could always push that position, but, hey, Windsor won’t even shovel the sidewalks, let alone push developers to build more pedestrian-centric suburban sprawl.
My two cents — maybe nobody cares about traffic calming and isn’t questioning it’s absence in new subs. Dunno.
Also for youth ages 14-24 the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee is looking for new members. We have 7 positions open.
Does anyone know when these would be chosen? I can’t commit until after July….do I still send it in?
I don’t know, Vicky. Send it in regardless.