In a perfect world, elected officials set policy and staff implements it. The world, of course, is never perfect and the lines become blurred. Which can be fine, so long as the basic premise is adhered to.

In the normal course of events, municipal staff are around longer than mayors and councillors, often giving them a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges of the community than their elected counterparts.

But, in the end, it is the elected officials who (or who should) determine the direction the community takes. No member of staff has ever cast a vote.

Staff, for its part, owe it to council to tell it what it should hear — not what it wants to hear on any issue involving their professional expertise. That doesn’t always happen. There is often too much tugging of the forelock, especially where mayors are concerned.

This is........

© Peterborough Examiner