2010 grade: B
2009 grade: C+
2008 grade: C+
In this transitional year for the city bureaucracy, as there’s substantial management turnover and a series of scandals and bureaucratic failings hitting city hall, it’s a damn good thing we have Jackie Barkhouse on the political side of things. Barkhouse repeatedly calls out the top-heavy management system, and wants a thorough restructuring of city hall. It’s tough to battle an entrenched bureaucracy—the old boys’ network extends so far as other councillors and the mayor’s office, and hugely important debates are kept from the public by keeping them secret with the overly broad label of “personnel issue.” But it’s readily apparent Barkhouse is deep in the trenches.
Barkhouse also understands the council size issue inside and out, and gave one of the best speeches I’ve heard this year on that issue. One quibble, on the speaking front: She thinks she’s speaking to councillors who are as informed as she is, and not so much to the public. Barkhouse needs to understand that a lot of councillors don’t really get it, and the public is too far outside the loop to easily see what’s going on; if she was a bit more explanatory, she’d probably get more traction. And yes, it’s too bad council has the intellectual heft of a bag of rocks, but that’s the world we live in.
How to improve: Breathe deeply.
This article appears in May 12-18, 2011.
Speaks from the NDP/EAC playbook. If she would apply her work ethic and intelligence to issues independently she would be useful. As it is, she is predictable and on the wrong side of most issues.
Another Dipper.
Waiting for Marilyn More to pension out of cabinet on megabucks and then she’ll move over to the other place.
Barkhouse needs to stay where she. She has been effective at her job and it shows in the conversations you have with residents and organizations of District 8. Her commitment to getting the job done goes above and beyond and I, for one, am glad to have her as a councilor. She has been the only one on this council willing to take a stand when it comes to bringing democracy back to the people.
Why is Jackie’s hood creating so many criminals lately? What is she not doing in addressing the youth issues…we are not talking about jay walkers..but serious drug and murder charges…..
Barkhouse has attended the Lynn Drive & Area Neighbourhood Watch meetings since she first became the Councilor. I also know that she has attended many other NW meetings across District 8, including at South Woodside. She is aware of the concerns and questions that residents have regarding the increase in criminal activities and I am sure that she is doing all that she can to address them with the powers that be. She has been vocal in the media with regards to recent shootings and stabbings, and will continue to do so.