
Who Yah Gonna Call?
Understanding Municipal Government
Oh, if only I had a dime for everyone who ever expressed a desire to ‘meet the mayor’ with their innovative idea or product. If only they could get in front of the ‘main decision-maker’, then things would really start to happen!
Or maybe not.
There is this idea that within the municipal realm, the Mayor is equivalent to the King. The councillors are the mayor’s attendants and with but a wave of the mighty scepter, all wishes shall be granted.
The fact is, in municipalities in Alberta, there is what is called a ‘weak mayor’ system. That means when it comes to making decisions, the mayor has no more say than any other councillor. If there are six councillors plus a mayor, then they each have a vote and four votes are needed to pass anything.
The other thing that makes the whole Mayor-as-royalty a mistaken perception, is the fact that councils are in place to govern, not make operational decisions. So, if you want a municipality to start using an environmentally safer paving material, you are better off talking to the professionals in the transportation department.
By all means, ask for the head honcho of the department, ask for a meeting and do a presentation that will knock their socks off. Then they will make a decision and chances are the Mayor and Council will never even know about it.
And that is the way it should be.
