Initially published in the Alliston Herald on March 19, 2009
In the mid-1990s a municipal councillor from Toronto was charged with several counts of breach of trust and receiving commissions. It turns out he had taken more than $200,000 in "gifts" from a real estate developer. The councillor eventually resigned in disgrace and was ultimately convicted of several of the charges. Happily, he even spent some time in prison.
The reminder of this incident led me to give some thought to the type of qualities and characteristics that I personally find desirable in a politician. What follows is an entirely arbitrary and non-exhaustive list of seven such traits. For your amusement, characteristics of the "anti" politician are referred to in parenthesis.
To add local interest I've identified one politician in each of the seven categories, either past or present, who appears to possess the positive characteristic. This does not mean there is only one. In fact, there are no doubt too many to name. It's just that I only have 650 words.
Intelligent (Intellectually Challenged): In this day and age politicians are often called upon to approve transactions and/or arrangements that involve complex facts, concepts and terminology. An elected official with the intellectual capacity of a rock will not understand the complex facts and concepts and will, almost always, defer to the bureaucrats who make the recommendations. God bless the politician who can think independently and ask intelligent questions. A local example: Alliston councilor Jamie Smith.
Open Minded (Partisan Troll): Not surprisingly, one observes the partisan troll most frequently at the federal and provincial levels. The troll dismisses or disregards every idea that comes from his/her opponent for partisan reasons. In contrast, the open minded politician recognizes that his/her adversaries (or colleagues in the municipal context) are capable of good ideas and is prepared to consider them all. A local example: former Alliston councillor Bob Marrs.
Humility (Egotist): The politician with a monstrous ego is an offensive and objectionable creature. The egotist is not generally loaded with brain cells (see above) and tends to forget that they are elected to act on behalf of the public. The dead giveaway of a politician with a monster ego is when he/she talks about "my career". A local example of a humble politician: Tottenham councillor Jim Stone.
Charismatic (Dullard): The inclusion of charisma on this list is not intended to suggest that someone who lacks charisma is incapable of being a good politician. It's just that much easier when the politician is able to comfortably engage and interact with his/her constituents. A local example: Beeton councillor Richard Norcross.Practical (Heartless Prig): According to Fowler's Modern English Usage a "prig" is a believer in red tape who "exalts the method above the work done." I expect we have all experienced or encountered an individual who insists upon certain "rules" being followed no matter how silly, absurd or nonsensical they may be. The practical politician looks for solutions and isn't beholden to tradition or "rules" that defy common sense.
Strong/Tough/Fearless (Coward): A politician should not be afraid to stand up for what is right even though it may be unpopular. One who folds at the first sign of adversity or under the threat of an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing is likely to be forever labeled as a cowardly lion and fearful of conflict. A reputation for weakness will not serve the public well. Sometimes you just have to be willing to fight. A local example of a strong politician: former Tottenham councillor Betty Aldridge.
Independent (Toady): Be wary of the politician who places him/herself in a position where they are identified as being "in the pocket" of a particular person or special interest group. It could become a slippery slope as the councillor from Toronto discovered. A local example of an independent politician who we need not worry about being in anyone's pocket: New Tecumseth Mayor Mike MacEachern.
