Editorial
Much is to be expected of this new council

Next Monday (Dec. 4) will see the swearing in of the new King Township council.

Although the possibility remains that there might be a recount in one of the wards, for the moment we're going to work of the assumption that the slate will be sworn in as announced.

That will mean two rookie councillors are going to be taking office for the very first time. And while they will be assuming the responsibilities of fully-fledged councillors (and drawing the accompanying salaries), the reality is these two men will need a bit of time to get the hang of their jobs, and we hope and expect their more experienced fellows will allow them that grace.

It's too early to say how this new council is going to play out once it gets down to business. Conventional

wisdom seems to indicate the two rookies, Cleve Mortelliti and Jeff Laidlaw, will align themselves with Jane Underhill on many issues. But that conclusion is both premature and simplistic. We're dealing here with two intelligent men, both capable of independent thought.

True, Laidlaw has been a community activist for years, and his political stripes are both well-known and well defined. But he's going to be on a learning curve, and while he said he understands there's a big difference between sitting in the public gallery and at the council table, even he can't know how big the switch will be until he actually under goes it.

Mortelliti has so far offered the impression that he is seeking reason. That's always positive, but who is to know where reason will lead one?

Assuming for a moment that these two newcomers are aligned with Underhill, the fact is they represent three of seven votes at the council table; in other words, a minority. If they hope to get anything accomplished during this term of council, then they will really have to be able to work with the other four, and be prepared to give and take in some areas, while standing ground in others.

By the same token, the majority will have to be ready to show some accommodation. Brushing off the opposition simply because they don't have the votes is bad governing and contrary to the desire that each member of this new council has expressed to work together.

That means Mortelliti will have to realize there is more to King Township than just King City, Snowball, etc., Laidlaw will have to understand the municipality takes in more than Nobleton, Laskay and points in between, Linda Pabst will have to look beyond the rural areas and into the settlements, Bill Cober will be expected to think outside Schomberg, Lloydtown and Pottageville, Underhill will not be able to confine herself to just King City and Kettleby, and Jack Rupke will have think beyond the

areas of Ansnorveldt and the Holland Marsh. And Mayor Margaret Black will have to work with the whole gang of them. And above all, all seven will be expected to check their personal animosities at the door of the council chambers, because they don't belong inside.

We don't think we're telling these people anything they didn't already know. But a gentle reminder never hurts.