First may I wish you, our readers, a happy new year and a healthy and prosperous decade.

Through his six years as Mayor, Leo Finnegan has largely steered to the high road. His instincts lead him to collaboration rather than push him into confrontation and as such he has mostly stayed above the fray. But as he nears the finish line there are signs he may not go so quietly.

In his last state-of-the-County address at the municipality’s annual levee on Sunday Mayor Finnegan challenged critics of council over his two terms to run for a seat on council or even his chair.

In issuing the challenge Finnegan was, in part, calling upon his administration’s detractors to rise above criticism and contribute solutions and ideas rather than barbs. In doing so however he may have also stooped to the plaintive cry of several councillors past and present who have been offended and distracted by the sniping on the sidelines.

For there is a real sense among some municipal representatives that their contribution is pure public service, and therefore should not be challenged—ever. Percolating just under the surface of some, but certainly not all, councillors is a seething outrage that their decisions are secondguessed. In a view shared by Mayor Finnegan, electors choose them to make decisions on their behalf and they should be unquestioned and unguided in executing that duty. In this view, democracy comes just one day every four years. At all other times residents need hold their peace— though they need not genuflect in their presence.

Critics are seen as meddling and hindering. Thus the selfserving need to try and rewrite history and puff up legacies.

Many of those holding this view come from another era. An era where local government happened largely out of sight—away from the glare of public scrutiny. Decisions were made, mostly by greying men, who were expected to act in the best interests of the community. Apathy and low voter turnout were viewed as symptoms of a contented population.

My, how some have squirmed and contorted over these past six years as the Times, and others, have pulled open the curtain and allowed sunlight to be cast upon the dusty business of local government.

Theirs is an antique view of managing County business. Happily it already has begun to change. There has been tremendous renewal in the ranks of senior administrators that bodes well for the future—for the benefit of all residents. The remaining artifacts of this dark age will soon be flushed from the system.

But there is a greater worry in the less-than-statesmanlike comments by Mayor Finnegan in his levee address. In challenging his critics to succeed him he diminishes the calling of the office, seemingly to satisfy a primal need to one day sit back and say “I told you so.”

For it would be bitterly disappointing if, in the next election, only those with a particular axe to grind or issue to promote put their hands up to run for council.

Those considering serving on the next County Council should be encouraged to run, not because of their complaints or grievances—but in spite of them.

Finnegan had the perfect moment and opportunity to inspire a new set of leaders—individuals driven by hope, guided by experience and motivated by a sense of what this community is and what it can be.

This is what County residents are looking for in their leaders. We want folks who think bigger. Dream higher. Serve honourably.

By choosing to taunt his critics, Mayor Finnegan missed an opportunity to frame the next municipal election in positive and hopeful terms. The good news is, he has 11 months to correct this misstep.

rick@wellingtontimes.ca