St. John's deputy mayor Ron Ellsworth is showing that talk is cheap.
In his case, that would be his own talk about greater openness in the city's budget process and his most recent campaign promise to get the city back to basics.
Ellsworth is a relative newbie to politics having been elected first in 2005 as a ward councilor, but so far his public comments have been more like a veteran of the uncommunication school. Take, for example, his comment on postponement of a curbside recycling program - about as basic as it gets these days - due to an apparent lack of cash:
"We have to make tough decisions on tough issues, and this is one example of that happening," Ellsworth said in an interview.
"I'm not very happy about what we've had to decide to do, but the reality is that we do have limitations and when we have budget constraints like this, the first thing we look at is new programs."
Ah yes. Tough decisions. On Friday when this story broke, he was pushing the "opportunity" offered by this delay. Now it's the tough decisions.
Then he played the empathy card, followed by the admonition to speak out:
"I understand the frustration and concern by those that are very close to environmental issues. ... They should make their voices known."
He understands the frustration - but with what he is not clear - but that, quite obviously, won't change his mind since these are tough decisions that have already been made.
And speaking out is all fine but sadly, Ellsworth - as chair of the city finance committee - has been way less than forthcoming with any concrete information about the city's finances. Oh yes, and the tough decision has already been made, in case you missed that.
Ellsworth gave absolute no information to CBC Radio on Friday morning past, even when the interviewer gifted him with a chance. He fell back on the "opportunities" crap. Then there were figures coming from somewhere about a seven million dollar shortfall and one million to implement the program. This evenings' news referred to three million for implementation.
It almost goes without saying that the numbers don't add up.
Ellsworth spent some time taking calls from residents on Monday on a CBC call-in show. They weren't happy. There's nothing for them to be happy about, especially considering that one of Ellsworth's lines has been that the public expect council to manage public money wisely.
Sure they do.
But what Ellsworth is missing is that voters in St. John's are increasingly unsatisfied with politicians who pay only lip service to ideas like openness and focusing on the basics. They expect action.
To voters, managing money wisely would not mean boosting the subsidy to something that isn't a core city service - i.e. Mile One - over the past two years by the amount Ellsworth has said the recycling program needs in start-up cash. Bond Papers readers will recall that these subsidies have been unpopular around these parts. To voters, basics would include recycling.
To voters openness means giving basic information and it goes along with the inclusiveness of asking voters for their views before making a decision about how to spend their money. They know Ellsworth's track record on openness isn't a good one.
While it would be tempting to just throw up ones hands in frustration, or to dismiss Ellsworth as a lost cause, he still has an opportunity to bring his words and his actions into line.
First, he can put the city's financial information in public. He has that ability as deputy mayor. He can give the public a real chance to review the city's plans and voice their concerns. If need be, council can reverse it's recycling decision.
After all, if the city's habit of overspending is as bad as Ellsworth claims, there simply won't be cash in two years to implement this basic recycling program. And if he has really been the voice of reason and fiscal responsibility then the voters will back him against his supposedly free-spending colleagues.
Second, city council needs to bring in the auditor general to review the books. He may well uncover some little secrets that need to be aired out if the city's finances are to be put on the right track. An audit by the province's financial watchdog will at the very least give everyone a common basis for discussion.
Now if none of that happens, Ellsworth and his colleagues run the risk that come next fall, voters won't be pleased. They'll be in a mood to throw the bums out, as the saying goes.
Ellsworth and his colleagues can change now or they can let the voters make the change next fall.
Actions do speak louder than words, and voters are judging Ellsworth and his colleagues by their actions.
As he heard to day, they've been measured and found sorely wanting.
-srbp-
