Who Yah Gonna See?

How To Be
How To Be
Aug 25, 2017 · 2 min read

Understanding Municipal Government

Do you need to talk to a politician or someone from administration?

The answer to this question is — it depends.

As a general rule, if it is something that has to do with the day to day operations of a municipality, then chances are you need to talk to someone in administration.

For example, the super-duper new paving method you want the municipality to buy from you is something that would be best taken to administration, preferably the head of the transportation department.

What about a new software program? Or perhaps you want to bring to the municipalities attention the new stationery story you just opened up in their area?

You guessed it… administration.

What if you want information on what type of business is allowed on your land? Administration. But what if you aren’t happy with what your zoning allows? Now we are getting more into the realm of the political.

You see, the difference between elected officials and administration is that elected officials decide in what direction the municipality (or province or country) should go and administrators decide how they will get there.

Another way to look at it is, elected officials decide the destination and administration decides what road to take to get there.

Going back to the zoning issue you have with your land. You want to build a mega-plex seniors facility but your land is zoned agricultural. What will happen when you go to administration is they will tell you that no, you are not allowed to build a senior’s facility.

If you meet with an elected official, they will want to know why they should instruct administration to change the “destination” they have chosen. This is a regulatory process which will require a re-thinking of how land is zoned so you will have to have more than ‘it’s a great idea’ or ‘it’s my land I should be able to do what I want.’

But what to do once you meet the right person is a whole other blog conversation…

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