I shall not comment anymore about how ridiculous and stupid some town councils’ chairmen sound.
refer to here and here, and form your own conclusions.
What I am going to propose is that the members of our Town Councils should be elected just like our MPs. Town Councils represent the citizens’ interests, and the citizens’ interests would be best served by having citizens electing the people they want as their head of their own Town Council, in fair, non-partisan and open democratic elections. People who are interested and willing to serve should not be as contesting as a party or anything, but elected based on popular votes. Alternatively, we can have people contesting for different positions and put to a vote.
In such a situation, this will allow Town Councils’ chairmen to truly act in their own Town Councils’ interests, and leave national politics aside.Major decisions should be put to a vote, such as upgrading and investment, or any increase in fees. Citizens would have a greater sense of belonging in their neighbourhoods as they are directly electing people who will serve them and engage them for their opinions on issues varying from investing funds and upgrading etc.
Problems such as a lack of talent or that the people elected would serve their personal interests rather than the Town’s interests would definitely arise. I feel that a reasonable salary, pegged to the average last drawn pay of the candidates and capped at a certain amount,would suffice so that these candidates would not suffer from any drop in income if offered the chance to serve their community’s interests. This will prevent people who are looking to get elected to public office because they want to enjoy high pay without the accountability or the results.
If in any case, there is a lack of candidates, then the solution presented to the people would be that the ruling party of that constituency would impose their own candidate. I am sure in such cases, people would really hesitate and think twice.
This is just a rough and unprofessional blue-print. There are many more qualified people out there who can surely present a better job. Is this something Singapore can consider? Or our ruling government will not embrace this for fear of being unable to threaten Singaporeans with upgrading or unable to reward wards that vote for them? =)
A case study we can consider and adapt? Switzerland’s cantons.
2 Comments
November 25, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I second your proposal.
November 25, 2008 at 11:29 am
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