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There is no Bogeyman in the Closet
So my question is, what are we so afraid of? Why does there seem to be such a reluctance on the part of so many people in Saint John to stand behind their comments or stand up and be counted? more...
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Lead, follow or get out of my way
True leadership has far less to do with the position one is elected to, and everything to do with attitude. more...
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Courts now in session
The best and brightest were passed over in some cases by the voters for a number of polarized personalities. more...
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The F.U.D. Factor - fear, uncertainty and doubt
This is not a popularity contest; it's an election and the stakes are your and your children's future. more...
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WOULD YOU VOTERS LIKE ANY MORE KOOL-AID?
Well, folks, now that the election is fast approaching they are back again and this time there is buckets and buckets of Kool-Aid, enough for everyone. more...
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Whole truth and nothing but the truth
Without the adjustment, we run the risk of creating a new level of poverty made up of retirees and folks on fixed income during this period of robust economic growth. more...
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Business as usual? Not this election, folks
It almost reminded of a Friday night at a Saint John bar - pick me!!! Pick me!!! more...
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Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Three Men in a Tub
The exercise by the city makes a mockery of the public consultation process. more...
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A Tale of Three Cities
The invitation for 'public consultation and involvement' to shape north of Union by Mayor McFarlane was an exercise in public relations and damage control. more...
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In Saint John, can $100 buy you a new life?
But, how did the Irish do it? And are there lessons for Saint John? more...
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Saint John could learn from Algoma lesson
Thumbs up to Bezanson and thumbs down to those who are hell-bent on pushing this absurd and irrational plan. more...
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EXPLORE OUR PAST, DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE
We've a number of shortsighted city officials who see these simply as old buildings standing in the way of progress and are more interested in replacing historic treasures with steel, concrete and green space that can be found in any city in the world, all in the name of "urban renewal." more...
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The Fall From Grace: who's at fault?
That we will not be remembered for the things that we have done but rather the things we have not done. more...
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Wanted: a real public consultation process
But we live here. Who is better qualified to determine our future? more...
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DECISIONS OF MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS
The current risk is that this council and city management, if left unchecked and unchallenged, will spend tens of millions of your tax dollars to build a sterile monument to their importance but will add absolutely nothing to your quality of life. more...
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Mistakes were made (but not by me)
In my world this would be referred to as "don't confuse me with the facts." more...
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The forgotten generation
Their failure to do so makes them far less worthy to represent the people who trusted them to protect and represent their interest. more...
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WHO WILL PAY THE PIPER?
The property tax concession for the LNG project amounts to a publicly funded financial subsidy for that company. more...
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Vision 2015 - The Chartwell Report
Information and details to foster open communication of plans for growth and development in Saint John, New Brunswick. more...
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POLICE-JUSTICE COMPLEX: A THORN AMONG ROSES?
So the question is: Will we make additional land-use decisions that are not in the best long-term interests of the city? more...
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New world in the morning - again and again...
The problem is not the vision - it's the failure or inability of council and city management to convert the vision to reality. more...
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Visions of Sugar Plums Danced in My Head
All directions and decisions for any city department should always be based on what is good for the city and not an attempt to preserve city jobs. more...
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Tough medicine Tastes Terrible But it Works
By using these standards as well as the Local Government Performance Index it became possible to measure, compare and track with reasonable accuracy all elements: revenue, assets, capital expenditures, etc. for all departments. more...
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'Getting it wrong' won't make it right
It is essential that common council's first priority is to "get it right", rather than proceed without proper public consideration, consultation and advice, and consequently, risk "getting it wrong". more...
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What Saint Johners like - and don't like - about their city
How do we make that important and critical transition from bud to blossom? more...
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Standing in the court of public opinion...
Councillors must maintain the right to challenge or question the management in any aspect of city business without fear or threat of a lawsuit. more...
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CITY'S NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE FLAWED
"Our city's new governance structure is wrong from the get-go! more...
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Success or failure: where the rubber hits the road
In plain words, success is achieved through the adoption and application of sound business practices, whether applied to a $10-million company or a city with a $100-million-plus operating budget. more...
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ITS TIME TO TURN UP THE BURNER
For six decades we have had council after council unable to break down the walls of what I less than affectionately refer to as Fortress Saint John and begin changing what I and many others believe is a self-serving dysfunctional culture. more...
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LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN - AND WOMEN - TO RUN
I emphasize courageous because courage will be required to address some of the long-standing mismanaged and dysfunctional aspects of City Hall. more...
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Mad as Hell
Don't be swayed by anything or anyone other than by your own common sense and ethics. more...
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The Buck Stops Here
The buck stops with the voters
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, September 29, 2007 more...
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Attention, Saint John: Don't drink the Kool-Aid
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Page: B1
Section: News
Byline: HERB DUNCAN THE SILENT MAJORITY
Where do I start? One of the letters to the editor last week made reference to my column as negative babble or something to that effect and questioned its value. Let me repeat: The column is called The Silent Majority. It is meant to reflect the views of the people of Saint John regarding many issues or topics. If you believe that things are great in Saint John, then send me your examples or stories and I will include them in the column. I have one single uncomplicated objective: To the best of my ability and conscience, contribute to make Saint John a better city in which to live. If that means writing good-news stories, great. If it means casting a critical eye, then so be it.
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City will benefit by implementing ward system
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Page: B1
Section: News
Byline: HERB DUNCAN THE SILENT MAJORITY
Feedback time -- I understand the City Watch effort by the Telegraph- Journal is successful beyond the newspaper's original expectations. Through this effort, people are realizing it is possible for everyone regardless of, status, stature or position to make a difference. Keep up the good work, to borrow the slogan for Nike, 'Just Do It' - it will take us one step closer to being the best City in Canada.
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Journey of a Thousand Miles Starts with a Single Step
HERB DUNCAN
THE SILENT MAJORITY
Published Saturday August 18th, 2007
Appeared on page B1
I have reason to travel down the lower part of Main Street several times a week. I have noticed several buildings defaced, boarded up or in various states of disrepair. Until last week, there were various appliances and furniture lining the sidewalk. I can only assume these were items left by tenants who had vacated apartments. I was encouraged this week to see city workers removing these items and cleaning up the streets. It's great that we pay so much attention to the Marigolds on Main Street and King Street; however, if we are not prepared to spend a reasonable amount of time and effort on an area like lower Main Street, we send a powerful message to its citizens. The message is "you are not worth it." And the cycle of disconnectedness and social decay continues. No sector, segment or city department has a monopoly on leadership. Lead and they will follow.
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First a ripple, then a tide, Part II
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Page: B3
Section: News
Byline: HERB DUNCAN THE SILENT MAJORITY
A few updates before I present the second and final part of First a Ripple, and then a Tidal Wave:
This week, I received a couple of e-mails, one suggesting that I am in bed with the Irvings, another saying that I am complaining and repeating the same message over and over. While I am at it I will pass on the latest rumour: That my grand plan is to run for council or mayor and that I am using this column and the Telegraph-Journal to gain public visibility, and in doing so greatly enhance my chances of winning.
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CITY HALL: TRANSPARENT AS FUNDY FOG
Most people who know me would suggest that I am usually relatively calm, collected and relatively unfazed by happenings and events. However, this week I am somewhat uneasy and irritable. So I decided to go into my "introspective mode" and try to figure out what was bugging me.
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Back to the future FOR THE WARD SYSTEM
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Page: B1
Section: Tjthecity
Byline: HERB DUNCAN THE SILENT MAJORITY
Well, another interesting week in Saint John. Some compliments on City
Watch and one complaint - the individual suggesting that the Telegraph-
Journal is picking on the City of Saint John. I would suggest that any
time you can get citizens interested enough in their city to make note
of items that require attention, you are moving in the right direction.
Unfortunately, many of the items that have been brought to the forefront
have been an oversight or left unattended by those responsible.
Everyone, the city included, can benefit from a gentle nudge.
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JUDGING COUNCIL
Herb Duncan
Published Saturday June 2nd, 2007
Appeared on page B1
I mentioned last week that I had run out of space and that I would have to do the 'Robber' portion of the column this week. Every coin has two sides - you could say 'Robbers' is the flip side of this particular coin. Last week, I discussed empowerment and people becoming involved, accepting responsibility and making a difference. This week, I will discuss the opposite.
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Support those who support you
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Page: B1/B2
Section: News
Telegraph-Journal headline, May 18, 2007:
Pension Board's Suit Tossed; Judge dismisses case against councillor and rules board has to pay his legal costs
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Cinderella City
Published Saturday May 19th, 2007
Appeared on page B1/B2
While I was at a meeting this week, a few positive comments-as well as some suggestions-were made regarding the Silent Majority column. One suggestion was to write some "good news" stories, report on some of the positive activities happening in the city; otherwise the column may otherwise become tiresome and it would lose readership. The comment may be well taken; however, to be quite honest, I'm not sure that is my stated and primary mandate. I am less interested in joining the mutual admiration society than in identifying cracks in the system that prevent us from becoming, as Pierre Elliot Trudeau said several decades ago, " a fair and just society." I wouldn't expect a good teacher to praise a student who is failing. I would however expect the same teacher to offer important and constructive criticism for the benefit, growth and well-being of the student. Do you agree or disagree? All comments welcomed.
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Reggie's Restaurant - A Saint John tradition becomes a great story.
You are invited to the official launch of the story collecting, the unveiling of the cover, and details of the book Reggies the heart of Saint John on May 11, 2007 at 7 am at Reggie's Restaurant 26 Germain Street, Saint John New Brunswick.
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Let Them Eat Cake
For those who are not familiar with this less-than-sensitive flippant reply, it was supposed to have been said by Marie-Antoinette, the Queen of France back in the eighteenth century, when she was told that the French citizens had no bread to eat, . It would seem economics were not the greatest at the time and lovely Marie was a bit out of touch with reality. As they say, the rest is history: the French Revolution followed and Marie lost her head (literally). Justice was rather swift in those days: they used the guillotine. more...
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Who are you going to call - Ghost Busters
Who are you going to call - Ghost Busters
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Page: B1
Section: News
Byline: HERB DUNCAN SILENT MAJORITY
The secret to success in business is follow-ups and feedback. Far be it for me to question a tried, true and proven method, so here is some feedback on the "THE WALL": it's still there, as big and bold as ever. The Commissioner of Municipal Services and the Director of Communications met with most, if not all, businesses on Prince William Street during the first week in April to gather input as to the best solution to our problem. Several businesses have suggested, as a short-term solution, to remove the wall and use a traffic cop during the rush hour, or remove "THE WALL" and permit west bound traffic to turn left at the old Bank of Canada and join Water Street traffic. Either one of these could have been carried out within a day or two. As of today, there has been no communication back to the merchants on Prince William Street. There was, in my opinion, a window of opportunity for the city to demonstrate genuine concern for the 18 months of inconvenience businesses have experienced. Well folks, the window of opportunity has passed. A business's failure to resolve customer issues in a timely fashion results in lost customers; as a city that's the way you lose citizens.
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City council has no clothes
City council has no clothes
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Page: B1/B2
Section: News
Well here we are another week and another column. I have been away for most of the week visiting my daughter. Sunday before I left I did notice a "cluster" of three city workers sweeping Prince William Street. I say a "cluster" because they were all working within six feet of each another. Most cities, if my observation is correct, would assign a street to each worker, or at the very least wouldn't workers start at both ends and meet in the middle? I understand from some of the retailers on Prince William Street that a survey is being carried out to determine what option is preferred to get rid of the "WALL". My unofficial survey suggests most retailers are in favour of synchronized lights at King and Prince William streets.
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Star light star bright, the first star I see tonight...
Before I start on this week's column let me provide you with a progress report on "The Wall". This week a meeting was held at the Business Resource Centre Boardroom. Standing room only, I personally had expected the city engineer and representatives from the traffic division to attend in an effort to come up with a solution. We were honoured to have the mayor and five councillors attend, but it seemed a bit like overkill. Paul Groody, the commissioner of operations, presented what seemed to be reasonable and acceptable options that could be put in place by June. more...
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Houston, we have a problem
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Page: B1
Section: News
Byline: Herb Duncan
People, over the past month, have e-mailed and stopped me on the street with their comments about my column (all in agreement, I might add) on "The Silent Majority" so I have decided to do my own random "on the street poll". Well, the other morning as I was walking up from the Water Street parking lot, I decided to ask three ladies from Compu-College about their view of how well the city is managed. The general comments were not all that good. One lady volunteered that she had gone to Charlottetown a couple of years ago for a vacation. She was very impressed with the restored downtown and waterfront development as well as the number of people and activity. In particular she noticed how clean the streets were. Being a proud Saint Johner and not wanting to be outdone by Charlottetown she decided that when she returned to Saint John she would look at the city through the fresh eyes of a tourist. She was impressed with the general look, the improvements that have taken place, the history and heritage but the feel-good glow faded when she came to Prince William and Water streets and saw the streets littered with bottles, coffee cups, paper plates and much more. First impressions are lasting impressions... and her pristine image was destroyed.
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