What is the job of a councillor?

What is the job of a councillor? We get asked a lot: “What are you going to do when you get on Council?” A new Council inherits a lot of work already underway. Our job isn’t to start over every 4 years. It’s to understand what’s working, what needs fixing and where something new is needed.

Council’s job is to set priorities, make policy, approve budgets and bylaws, and make decisions in the long-term interests of the community. Professional staff run the day-to-day organization and provide Council with advice and options.

Being a councillor also comes with responsibilities. Showing up to meetings - both in Sooke and for the many regional boards and committees that require Sooke representation. Reading the often 500+ page agendas. Doing the homework. Knowing the community plans and bylaws. Listening to the public, staff and each other with respect, and coming to Council with an informed but open mind, prepared to consider the information in front of you.

There are conflict-of-interest rules, procurement policies and competitive processes for spending public money for good reason. You don’t get elected and start handing contracts, jobs or influence to your friends. And committees shouldn’t be filled simply with people who agree with you. Committee members should bring knowledge, experience and different community perspectives to the table.

So what will Sooke Together do?

If something is working, we’ll support it.

If it needs fixing, we’ll work to fix it.

If something new is needed, we’ll make the case for it.

If we can’t afford it, we’ll say so.

Sooke Together will ask questions. Listen. Read the reports. Challenge assumptions. Watch the money. Hear different perspectives. And make the best decisions we can for the whole community.

Sooke Together is running to govern Sooke well.

On October 17th, vote Helen Ritts, Brian McHattie, Susan Belford, and Steve Sorensen for Council.