Are you contemplating running for city council?
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
I spent far too much time anguishing over crafting the perfect witty, humorous, perhaps negatively inclined opening hook for today’s column. I finally gave up concerned I might scare readers away from my point. I want to encourage readers to consider running for city council, schoolboard and/or regional district.
The slightly frustrated side of my brain won though (after six hours today at City Council) sarcastically blurting onto paper, “Keep on beating me it feels so good when you stop.”
Sometimes I’m convinced it’s the most thankless job in the world – though when I chill out I quickly recognize how much I love the job and the many positive aspects of being an elected official. Without question being an elected member of government, no matter what level: federal, provincial, municipal is an honour and privilege.
However, it’s not a career or job for all. It’s important to learn that before the election campaign is over and you’re duty bound for four years.
I’m not seeking re-election this fall. When the voters ballots are filled this October with names of those candidates seeking one of eight seats as a Kelowna City Council mine will not be among them. I’m done.
My retirement from civic politics is largely due to the fact that I am a dead man walking and am both thankful and lucky to still be alive. I jokingly refer to being in stage ‘5’ of ‘4’ emphysema while my osteomyelitis hugely impacts my ability to eat and talk. While I can still do my job, I also turn 71 next month and was supposed to retire six years ago.
I’ve given the world of politics the better part of the past 28 years, having first served a three-year term as Councillor in the city of Parksville in1997. When I returned to Kelowna I finally returned to politics, failing in my first effort to get elected but earning my first of four terms in Kelowna in 2008.
If you have any interest in making your community a better place to live, work and or play then I totally encourage you to put your name in the ring.
I strongly suggest if you have not run before that you seek out a chair at the Council table as a Councillor and not as Mayor.
I believe anyone who firmly thinks they can step into the Mayor’s chair with no council experience and make a strong mayor right away is not truly aware of what the job is all about or entails. I would suggest they are a tad overconfident. It’s important that whoever takes over as a new Mayor is effective and on their game as quick as possible. It’s not the sort of job council or the rest of the town can wait for a rookie mayor to learn.
Now that’s not to say that some ‘newbies’ have not been rookie ‘winners’ and done well, however such scenarios usually have their moments.
When sitting as Councillor you are one of eight at the table and given lots of opportunity to learn the process, protocol, procedures. You can learn through debates, staff, the mayor, veteran councillors, senior staff and others. (You can count on the fact you will also hear from the public – lol).
Most important though is deciding whether council is right for you.
Are you thick skinned and have a sense of humour?
Do you have the time to do the job? Some may suggest it is a part-time job. Nonsense.
You are looking at a minimum of 25 to 30 hours a week to be effective. Not only do you have regular council meetings, in-camera meetings, public hearings, and your role on regional district. There are also special workshops, budgets, and priority meetings, and out-of-town conferences such as UBCM, FCM and SILGA. Many councillors go and visit sights of proposed developments, ribbon cuttings, openings of businesses, and other such requests.
Time is valuable and you need to know or learn how to manage it.
Can you do council and your other job?
Do you like people? Genuinely, because you will become inundated with them day to day. When you ask for the public to give you their trust and to count on you – make sure you mean it and remember it.
Your social life will change in many ways. Some of it wonderful, some taking away from your old world. Be prepared for that.
Say goodbye to privacy.
How is your temperament? Learn to count to 10 (quietly cause the microphone is on). People will want you to solve everything. You will quickly learn how to help many of them, however some will never be happy.
How will your family deal with the sudden change? You are now in the goldfish bowl?
I tell folks, “I use to throw rocks at the glass house – now I am the glass house.”
Make sure and discuss your decision to run for council in great length with your partner. Your husband or wife may not want the large shift in life and all that it can mean. On the other hand, it can be a lot of fun and enjoyable.
Make sure and seriously contemplate what this change will mean to your kids. Believe me it will impact them more than you think. My dad was on Kelowna council and I was harassed at school because of it – a lot by other kids and even adults and teachers.
I am so happy I served my community and suggest it is a wonderful job if you love your town.
