Following is the Metroland Durham Region Media Group's annual municipal report card, evaluating how local politicians are serving taxpayers.

 

Mayor

Steve Parish

This year: C+

Last year: B

Council and committee attendance: 44/53, Regional council 12/13, Regional committee 13/15

Expenses and travel: $12,929.48 (Local), $2,201.12 (Regional)

Most of Mayor Parish's absences are due to a month-long vacation he took in February in honour of his wife's retirement. Though he participated in the 2010 budget process at the committee level, the passage occurred after he had left for New Zealand.

The budget, like every other item on this year's council agenda, passed unanimously without a single dissenting voice on council. Mayor Parish joked that this couldn't happen in any other Durham municipality and attributed it to a collegial attitude. That's his view. We see it as rubber stamping and indicative of the lack of debate on Ajax council when it comes to the tough issues.

If Ajax councillors vote as one, then they speak as one and for the first time ever, they'll all receive the same mark as the man who leads them.

Notable achievements in the past year include expropriating land at Harwood Avenue and Bayly Street to encourage development that reflects Ajax's vision for the downtown and several green initiatives such as a pedestrian and cycling master plan and a new anti-idling bylaw.

However, despite the fact Ajax will receive an additional $1.4 million annually in slot revenues and that this was an exceptionally hard year for many residents due to the economy, Ajax moved forward with a 2.75-per cent tax increase. That rate was determined years ago when Ajax vowed to drop the tax rate by .25 points each year at the beginning of council's term.

Mayor Parish challenged people to come up with services that could be cut to achieve a lower increase, but didn't hold public meetings before the budget was presented to give residents the chance to meet that challenge.

Given the circumstances, Ajax could have done better and for this reason Mayor Parish get a C+.

 

Ward 1 and 2 Regional Councillor

Scott Crawford

This year: C+

Last year: B-

Council and committee attendance: 49/53, Regional council 12/13, Regional committee 11/13

Expenses and travel: $5,056.35 (local), $1.955.42 (Regional)

Last year, we dinged Coun. Crawford for his behaviour at council meetings, and in the year since he has made an effort to present a more professional front. Though he still at times has a difficult time explaining regional issues to fellow councillors, such as transit executive committee decisions on Ajax bus routes, he does try to explain them. Due to a lack of debate, all councillors receive the same grade as the mayor this year.

 

Ward 3 and 4 Regional Councillor

Colleen Jordan

This year: C+

Last year: B

Council and committee attendance: 48/53, Regional council 12/13, Regional committee 13/14

Expenses and travel: $7,086.72 (local), $959 (Regional)

Health and environment issues always draw a comment from Coun. Jordan and she always makes the connection between the two, explaining often that residents'health depends on healthy green spaces, waterways and a healthy Lake Ontario. She also does a good job explaining Regional issues to council, including detailing the increased demand for social services due to the economic downturn. Her BlackBerry expenses were by far the highest and she should consider a new plan. Due to a lack of debate, all councillors receive the same grade as the mayor this year.

 

Ward 1 local Councillor

Shaun Collier

This year: C+

Last year: B-

Council and committee attendance: 51/53

Expenses and travel: $4,924.16

Coun. Collier is one of the quieter councillors in Ajax, but he shows he's listening by asking good questions. These questions often come from residents in his ward, such as recent questions to Regional councillors about whether useful changes to north Ajax will remain in place. He also brought up a transit issue from a resident when Regional Chair Roger Anderson visited council. Due to a lack of debate, all councillors receive the same grade as the mayor this year.

 

Ward 2 local Councillor

Renrick Ashby

This year: C+

Last year: B+

Council and committee attendance: 51/53

Expenses and travel: $7,474.22

One of the more vocal councillors, Coun. Ashby is especially interested in plans for new subdivisions and homes bringing up common concerns such as parking and snow clearance. He was an active participant in Ajax's diversity and community engagement plan. He had the highest expenses, fueled by a conference in Whistler and his BlackBerry bill. He's the only councillor to commute to work in Toronto which may mean he does more business on the go, but he may want to consider a better cell plan as well. Due to a lack of debate, all councillors receive the same grade as the mayor this year.

 

Ward 3 local Councillor

Joanne Dies

 

This year: C+

Last year: C+

Council and committee attendance: 52/53

Expenses and travel: $6,466.38

Coun. Dies is an advocate of preserving Ajax's heritage buildings and natural heritage green spaces. Last year, we asked Coun. Dies to take on a leadership role and this year she served as the budget committee chair which was a smooth process. When looking at issues like the new community centre, she uses her experience as a mom to make recommendations on what other families would like. Due to a lack of debate, all councillors receive the same grade as the mayor this year.

Ward 4 local Councillor

Pat Brown

This year: C+

Last year: A

Council and committee attendance: 49/53

Expenses and travel: $6,013.67

Heavily involved in her ward, Coun. Brown always has good questions related to south Ajax. One recent example is her questions on the flood plain designation of more than 90 homes in the Pickering Beach area. She was also one of the driving forces behind October's 70th anniversary celebrations for the Battle of the River Plate. The celebrations included visits from veterans of the HMS Ajax and their families. Due to a lack of debate, all councillors receive the same grade as the mayor this year.