It wasn't many years ago the city's leisure services department ran a series of ads declaring the following: "Our work is your play."
While a clever twist on words, those who have toiled as volunteers on behalf of many community groups considered it to be well-intentioned, but in reality, an empty phrase. Instead, the truth is that many community groups speak openly about encountering a classic "roadblock attitude" when it comes to getting things done, whether it be a new initiative or a standard activity.
With notable exceptions, too often, city staff entertain discussions about new projects with an open air of why things are not possible. Issues like regulations, costs and the inevitable excuse of "We wouldn't be able to get council to pass that," that stifles, if not outright decapitates, the creative process that could lead to challenges being solved, and to this city becoming a better place to live, work and play.
The city approach comes off very much like the insurance company which goes to every length to deny a worthy claim, simply hoping the claimant will get frustrated and go away.
The process can clearly have political ramifications. Citizens who try to get something accomplished, whether it be a new development, attracting an event, or volunteering to make this community a better place, do not get a chance to vote on whether city staff get to keep their job.
Sure, they can go up the ladder and complain, but all too often instead, they take it out on council members, including the mayor, at the next trip to the polls. This scenario is hardly unique to municipal government, since provincial and federal governments also regularly find themselves handcuffed by the same can't-do attitudes in the bureaucratic offices, and pay the price in vote totals.
Of course, the demands put on elected officials includes an expectation of leadership. By the pure nature of the beast, those on council, whose positions sit on the chopping block every third November, are voted in and expected to require staff to act on issues that flow through the duly-elected representatives.
For example, the mayor is the boss, and the city manager is an employee, if only because the citizens can decide with a simple 'X' if the mayor is worthy of continuing on the job. The city manager enjoys much more job security.
It becomes a nasty circle. It's not hard to wonder if the dog is wagging the tail, if the tail is wagging the dog, or, all too often, if the dog and tail are even attached to each other.
Nevertheless, it's worth asking the question - is it the elected officials who deserve the main blame when things bog down? Further, is a cognizant attitude check needed, maybe even through the replacement of some members of upper management, to get this city on a progressive path?
There are a few recent, even present, cases in point.
It's been curious to watch with the formation of the Canada Winter Games effort, with the city taking a lead role in developing the bid, devising the budget, and envisioning the hosting effort. The city has designated staff members to work on that process, taking them away from their standard duties.
Tabbing city staff to lead the charge has not generally been the case when it comes to this city attracting major events or bringing them to fruition. With few exceptions, large events take place in this city due to the commitment of user groups, led by people who work outside the five-floor tower.
The same distinction between private and city initiative goes for both the downtown revitalization effort and the move to morph the Prince George Golf and Curling Club lands into an urban planner's dream project - when else do you see a parcel of land, in that location, available for massive redevelopment? It should sell itself, but to this point it hasn't, which leads to obvious questions. The golf club project is bogged down in meetings, committees and processes at city hall, leaving the PGGCC twisting in the wind.
As for downtown, the private sector is the driving force behind the changes on George Street, and real progress is being made. City hall may say otherwise, but it is not driving that bus, either.
As it is, the city could get a new series of ads ready based on a slogan that reflects the common perception: "Our work is making more work, undertaking more studies, and getting little done." Not exactly a phrase to bellow from the top of Connaught Hill.
