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		<title>Long meetings can be shorter</title>
		<description>Discuss Long meetings can be shorter</description>
		<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html</link>
		<lastBuildDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 17:35:02 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<title>To whom is staff accountable?</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2053</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Who does the city staff work for? Are they working for a private employer and so then they're only accountable to that boss, the owner and share holders? City staff seem untouchable and make the easiest targets if some corporation wants to sway favourable decisions. Councillors are under extreme scrutiny by voters and their "jobs" are always under threat. But staff who essentially work for us are protected. We cannot even discuss their possible negligence or outside influence for they're protected as 'personnel' matters are presumably private. But private from whom? We are the employer. Anyone whom we pay is accountable to us and no personnel matters should be conducted in private if it involves public spheres of interest and affects our lives and our taxes. If any city staff wants privacy, they should work where no public funds accrue to them. Otherwise, we are the employer and have a right to know!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Leila Paul</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 18:06:45 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2053</guid>
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			<title>citizen</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2052</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Phil: Well thought out comments! A two week schedule is also a good idea. It is unforgiveable to draw staff into the political comments. We have lost some very valuable people from our administration, maybe part of the reason is they cannot no longer cover their backs when thrown into the arena.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Colin Hendry</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 16:31:28 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2052</guid>
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			<title>Too long meetings</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2049</link>
			<description><![CDATA[happy birthday phil! is it just this friday or every friday. the later being my guess.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>derrick mcburney</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 18:24:18 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2049</guid>
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		<item>
			<title>Birthday! What a coincidence!</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2048</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I have one of those too. In fact, mine comes once every years and even more coincidentally - it happens the same day each year. Wow. Sometimes people have so much in common. Y'all gonna suck to me too and wish me a happy birthday too? But I'd better set up a blog first where there might be lots of readers and then wait for the actual date so some of you can gush with happy birthday wishes. :) Those not sucking up are genuinely sincere even though I suspect Phil's b-day will be the same regardless how many wish him a happy day.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Leila Paul</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 17:51:40 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2048</guid>
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			<title>Conspiracy and history</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2047</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Anyone who does not believe in people getting together to advance their goals if those goals are convergent at the moment has either never read a history book, or a newspaper. Even those with large number of acquaintances can see patterns emerging of people getting together to advance shared goals - either legally or illegally - and sometimes even secretly behind the scenes.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Leila Paul</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 17:48:43 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2047</guid>
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			<title>RE: Long meetings can be shorter</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2046</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Even conspiracy theory kooks have a right to be heard in a democracy. City council has demonstrated they agree to that if you have been following the meetings. That said, the plethora of conspiracy theory kook fantasy problems take more time to deal with than your run of the mill city hall issues. Real issues that effect the lives of the majority of citizens are being put on the back burner, or not dealt with at all, because of the constant nonsense being brought before council by the small vocal groups of malcontents. A new governance model is needed with either full time councillors or two part time councillors per ward. That is the model city hall should be seriously looking at.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Elaine Murray</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 11:05:18 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2046</guid>
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			<title>Confabulation-h oe down- pow wow</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2045</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Have a Happy Birthday Phil. Will your dvd's be ready? I can hardly wait to see it on my own t.v. suggestion number seven: We need a talking stick, or staff. Actually, we've probably got one carved out of black ebony with a crystal orb on it in some dusty archive somewhere. The talking stick is ceremonially carried into the meeting by the Chairperson and passed from speaker to respondant. An electrictified cattle prod set to emit a jolt every five minutes should speed things up.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Brenda</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 10:15:51 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2045</guid>
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			<title>Bad boys and girls</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2044</link>
			<description><![CDATA[They're acting like politicians because they can get away with it. Shocking!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Leila Paul</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 03:45:21 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2044</guid>
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			<title>RE: Long meetings can be shorter</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2043</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Why refer it to the Clerk? The original redesign was based on a draft by Paul Hubert (v. Chair of Gov. Task Force) because they had already decided;regardl ess Bd. of Control was gone. The Council continues to change things on a whim. They are not working SMARTER. Did you notice the politicians grandstanding in front of the public? There is no leadership! The politicians are acting like they are the "EXPERTS" even going to the extreme of embarrasing staff! This is wrong! Go for the 6 suggestions and give the public time to redesign the process. Results will be less hours; less politicing; more honest public engagement. All Councilors are on a 24/7 day role as a Councilor; full time is a misnomer! Do you know that rationale in the 2012 budget indicated the hours for meetings would be 600 per year; however 2x the number of meetings. The difference is every meeting is show time by the EXPERTS! THE COUNCILORS! We HAVE BEEN HAD!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>bill brock</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 03:19:43 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2043</guid>
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			<title>RE: Long meetings can be shorter</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2042</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Happy 40th Birthday Phil. You are aging well despite the environment and pollution at City Hall. Notice those who truly sacrifice and work hard to serve the public wholeheartedly, look young and vibrant for their biological age. Those who imagine they are working while they fool around and party hard look like death warmed over. You look like you are doing better than surviving, thanks for all your dedication and hard work. Have a wonderful day!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Cynthia</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 03:12:36 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2042</guid>
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			<title>Great ideas</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2041</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Great ideals all of them - but too sensible to be adopted by Emperor Joe and Clown Prince Swan. Happy Birthdsy - you deserve a day off once a year.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>oscqc</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 03:05:33 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2041</guid>
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			<title>Longer meetings</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2040</link>
			<description><![CDATA[All good ideas Phil. Clear to me committee work IS being done at Council meetings. Also clear that some members don't do their committee work at committee meetings!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Steve Shillington</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 02:07:44 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2040</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Long meetings can be shorter</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2039</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I would say those are 6 great ideas! Happy Birthday Phil:-)]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Libby Hill</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 01:37:15 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2039</guid>
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		<item>
			<title>Long meetings can be shorter</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2038</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Thank you Phil... and Happy Birthday!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Randy Warden</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 01:34:02 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2038</guid>
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		<item>
			<title>RE: Long meetings can be shorter</title>
			<link>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2036</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Happy Birthday Phil]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Elaine Murray</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 01:25:46 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://themcleodreport.ca/columns/955-long-meetings-can-be-shorter.html#comment-2036</guid>
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