RDA TUTORIAL TEST QUESTIONS....

-------- Your tax dollars at work ---------

Questions That Need Answers .... Before applications are made to the Minister for any new RDA, here are questions that citizens might want answered to their satisfaction by elected Municipal officials.

1. What municipal areas are to be covered by the new RDA?
2. What three year strategy will the included municipality or municipalities use as their basis for applying to the Minister for the creation of a new RDA, who will prepare the strategy and who will approve it?
3. What shall the new RDA be called?
4. How many members on the Board of Directors should be appointed by the councils of the participating municipalities and how should they be selected for appointment?
5. How many members on the Board of Directors should be representatives of the economic sectors and other relevant groups within the area, who should they represent and how should they be selected?
6. What should be the term of office of members of the Board of Directors of the new RDA and what should be the conditions under which members of the Board of Directors cease to be members of the Board.
7. What should determine the proportion in which each of the participating municipalities contribute to and provide the funds required to meet the expenses of the new RDA?
8. When should these payments be made to the new RDA?
9. What officers should the new RDA have, how should the new RDA be organized and how, when and where should meetings of the new RDA be held for transaction of the RDA's business?
10. What should be the fiscal year of the new RDA?
11. How should the assets of the new RDA be disposed should it cease to operate?
12. What role should the new RDA play in the following areas:
a) advising municipal councils with respect to matters affecting economic and social development;
b) promoting interest in the activities of the RDA;
c) encouraging and assisting the participation of the public, private and voluntary sectors;
d) preparing, updating and implementing a strategy and action plan for the development of the communities within the RDA;
e) encouraging interested groups and the public in participating in the strategic planning process and setting priorities for development action;
f) acting as financial, industrial, promotional, marketing, training and planning advisers with respect to the development of the communities within the RDA in accordance with the strategic plan;
g) encouraging the formation of partnership groups to evaluate, plan and organize implementation of specific development actions and projects that fall within the framework of the strategy;
h) facilitating contact with those who may be able to to provide technical, professional and policy resources needed to enable project groups to be effective;
i) facilitating access to those who may be able to provide funding to implement projects and business plans in accordance with the strategy;
j) provide managerial technical, or other support services to other business or operations of any community development group, company, syndicate, labour group, non-profit organization, cooperative, partnership, enterprise or undertaking in respect of achieving the purpose of the Act;
k) providing training to those individuals or groups involved in regional community planning to assist in the implementation of the strategy;
l) collecting, analyzing and disseminating information;
m) cooperating with governments and agencies of governments?
13. What provisions should the bylaws of the new RDA include respecting:
a) the conduct and duties of the officers and employees of the new RDA;
b) the method of calling meetings and conducting business at meetings;
the order and proceedings of meetings;
c) public access to information respecting the activities of the new RDA and meetings of the RDA?

What now.... well dear reader.... that' is the burning question?!?

Who will decide the public's wishes respecting these questions?

Were any of the present council members, mayor, or wardens elected on a platform respecting the creation of RDAs under the Act?

Of course not..... so without input from the public.... where do they get the mandate to transform the present RDA into the one that likely will determine our social and economic development progress in the coming decade?

NO DEAR READER.... I BELIEVE THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN OUR AREA OWE A DUTY OF DUE DILIGENCE AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION TO VOTERS BEFORE THEY RATIFY MORE OF THE SAME OR A COMPLETELY NEW STRUCTURE....

What do you think? Your views are important......