Whitby Council Continues to Provide Strong Representation

Whitby council continues to provide strong representation

Jun 25, 2008 - 04:30 AM

This year's grade: A-

Last year's grade: A-

 

You can be sure of three things in life: death, taxes and a solid performance from the eight members who make up Whitby Town council.

While the taxes part of the equation certainly has elicited some concern as Whitby taxpayers were hit with a 6.6 per cent increase last year, local representation has once again been very good.

If there's one thing Whitby council always scores high on, it's the ability of the octet to pull together for the greater good of the people they work for: you.

Led by a strong leader in Mayor Pat Perkins, who continues to grow in the job she won in November 2006, Town and Regional councillors have a unified purpose in pursuing projects and policies that make Whitby a better place.

Joe Drumm, Gerry Emm and Don Mitchell have the right blend of experience and energy to ensure their Regional colleagues know where Whitby stands. Together with Mayor Perkins, they make their voices heard on a wide variety of issues.

Mayor Perkins and councillors Drumm and Mitchell, while always aware of what is best for Whitby, are also not afraid to speak their minds on issues they feel strongly about.

On the local side, councillors Sue Pitchforth, Elizabeth Roy, Shirley Scott and Lorne Coe are all passionate about taking their constituents' concerns to the council table. Councillor Pitchforth, especially, showed great skill in manoeuvring through difficult budget talks as chairwoman of the finance committee. Despite heated and tough discussions, she kept councillors on track and focused.

Coun. Scott has long been an advocate for local volunteers and shines in that role, while Coun. Coe wears the hat as the man of the people for his push to have citizen involvement at council.

With four grades of A, three grades of B+ and one B, this council overall rates an A- for its effectiveness.