A discussion about ease of access for the public kicked off the July 11 meeting of Clearview Council. In a recent letter to the editor, Creemore resident Samantha Margis criticized the decision to shut down the online public participation form on the township’s website now that live attendance at meetings has been restored.
In her letter, which was read to council by Dave Witzke, Margis suggests that council is choosing to go backwards and actively raising barriers to participation. Margis does not know Witzke, and says the fact that he chose to take up the cause demonstrates that public access is a concern to many residents.
Mayor Doug Measures argued the fact that all members of council received Margis’ email sent to council@ clearview.ca is proof that residents can communicate easily with their elected representatives. Anyone wishing to actually address a council meeting can contact the clerk’s department and get on the agenda to attend a meeting in person.
In a series of comments posted to the online chat during the meeting, Margis accused the mayor of missing the point. The hybrid meeting model is fair, she says, but taking away something that was proven successful is baffling.
Councillor Doug McKechnie noted that public participation has never been higher than during the pandemic, via the on-line portal. He believes that telling the public they must appear in person to address council while township employees have the option of attending meetings virtually sends a mixed message.
Deputy Mayor, Barry Burton noted that issues raised on the public portal are visible to all visitors to the site, unlike emails sent directly to councillors.
Council voted to restore the portal with one minor tweak. Now submissions will have to be received by Friday noon to get on the agenda for the following Monday’s council meeting. Previously the deadline was noon Monday. At this stage, any member of the public who wishes to address council live must still appear in the council chamber.
Allowing virtual public participation would be a logical evolution, Margis says, but for now is happy to have the on-line portal back. The fact that it was taken away in the first place has tested her faith in the leadership of the township.
Margis and her husband have been homeowners in Creemore for the past six years. She has never seriously considered seeking public office but is committed to keeping an eye on elected representatives and calling them out when she feels it is warranted.