Editorial: Acknowledge or deny?

Mistakes are a normal part of life. They happen to everyone. No one is immune. Making a mistake doesn’t define a person, but how they respond to that mistake – whether its acknowledged or denied – gives a fair indication of how they might act in the future.

Take the current situation regarding South Dundas’ parkland. Council openly discussed selling off key parks in the municipality. They deferred making a final decision, but their thoughts and opinions on the subject were noted, both by the local press and by municipal documentation.

The intent to potentially sell off parks was evident in the fact that the discussion took place. This was a real consideration. If it wasn’t, why were politicians wasting taxpayers’ money discussing it?

A decision was made to look at and to discuss the potential sale.

Residents reacted; they were upset. Some were merely miffed, while others were outraged.

Council’s response?

In a statement made by the mayor at the May 2 council meeting: “It was evident misinformation and assumptions were made.”

Okay.

It’s already been stated that the information presented has been recorded. It’s fact. There is no misinformation about it.

Assumptions? People assumed the discussion at council meant there was still a possibility that parks might be sold. That’s probably a fair assumption considering municipal documents on record noted a decision had not been made one way or the other, but that the potential for selling was, indeed, discussed. Seems more like a logical conclusion – “They might still sell our parks!” – rather than an assumption – “They’re selling our parks!”

See the difference?

With that settled, what might a better response have been? What would taxpayers like to have seen from their representatives when these elected officials realized they’d made an error in judgement?

Honesty.

“Yes, we discussed selling those properties. No, we didn’t make a final decision. Yes, we hear you, you don’t want parks sold.”
Honesty equals trust. Denial does not.