Straight talk at the KCCC

Straight Talk on English Line: Why Transparency Starts with the Paperwork

This week, I had the pleasure of spending some time at the Kent Cloverleaf Conservation Club. Whether it’s trap shooting, archery, or their youth programs, the Cloverleaf is a perfect example of what makes Chatham-Kent great: people coming together to preserve our local traditions and our land.

But as I spoke with members, the conversation inevitably turned toward the Civic Centre. The frustration I heard was consistent: "Michael, why does it feel like the big decisions are already made before the public even hears about them?"

I told them what I’ve been saying on Council for 16 years: Bad process leads to bad spending.

The Problem: The "Admin Blur"

Right now, your elected councillors are often handed 500-page reports on a Friday afternoon for a vote on Monday night. These reports are frequently written in "administrative-speak"—dense, biased toward a specific outcome, and designed to lead Council toward a "Yes" vote on massive projects like the $137M digester or the OHL arena.

When you don't have enough time to read the fine print, and when the reports themselves are one-sided, the taxpayer is the one who loses.

The Bondy Plan: Clarity and Accountability

As your Mayor, I am going to change how information flows from the administration to the people. Here is my commitment to you:

1. Easier to Understand: No more "corporate-speak." Reports should be written in plain English so that any resident can read them and understand exactly what is being proposed.

2. No More "Friday Drops": Councillors and the public will be given significantly more time to digest major reports before they hit the floor for a vote. We aren't a rubber stamp; we are your representatives.

3. Unbiased Reporting: Administration’s job is to provide facts and options—not to lobby for a specific "win." I will ensure reports provide a balanced look at the risks, the long-term tax implications, and the alternatives.

4. Fiscal Sanity: Before we approve a project, we need to know the 30-year lifecycle cost. If we can't afford to fix a bridge in Ward 1, we shouldn't be looking at "mega-projects" in the city core.

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The Bottom Line

The Kent Cloverleaf members know that you can’t hit a target if you can’t see it clearly. The same goes for local government. If we want to spend your money wisely, we have to start by being honest and transparent about where it’s going.

I want to thank everyone at the club for the warm welcome and the honest talk. It’s time to bring that same honesty back to the Mayor’s office.

Let's get back to basics.

— Michael Bondy