Local Government in Action: A Simulation

Local Government in Action: A Simulation

ISBN-10:
1551119129
ISBN-13:
9781551119120
Pub. Date:
04/30/2008
Publisher:
University of Toronto Press
ISBN-10:
1551119129
ISBN-13:
9781551119120
Pub. Date:
04/30/2008
Publisher:
University of Toronto Press
Local Government in Action: A Simulation

Local Government in Action: A Simulation

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Overview

Local Government in Action is a simulation about a fictional, medium-sized municipality called Summerville. It provides an interactive teaching tool with a focus on governance and community development in small and medium-sized municipalities in Canada. It also examines the major issues faced by resource-based communities and communities on the peripheries of metropolitan areas.


Participants in the simulation play the roles of municipal politicians, administrators, and community members in order to respond to a series of issues and challenges that confront Summerville. The simulation provides participants with a sense of what real decision-making is like by requiring them to deal with competing interests, conflicting points of view, and the occasional clash between "common sense solutions" and the actions that are permissible under law. It also demonstrates the processes involved in council meetings, the roles played by municipal staff, and the nature of the relationship between elected officials, appointed officials, and the public. Additionally, this exercise offers participants the opportunity to practice the skills required to make effective presentations, to participate in public meetings, and to lobby.


The text is accompanied by an instructor's manual on CD-Rom that mirrors the content of the workbook and provides goals and ideas for making the simulation more successful in terms of pedagogy.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781551119120
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
Publication date: 04/30/2008
Edition description: Workbook
Pages: 141
Product dimensions: 8.00(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

William D. Kennedy served for over thirty years as a senior local government administrator and taught local politics at the University of Northern British Columbia. Gary N. Wilson is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Northern British Columbia. His research and teaching interests include comparative federalism, northern studies, and local government and politics.

Table of Contents

1. Acknowledgements


2. Introduction


3. Workbook Organization


4. Simulation Organization



4.1 Council Meetings


4.2 Roles


4.3 Issues


4.4 Newspaper


4.5 Starting the Simulation


4.6 Simulation Time



5. Conducting a Council Meeting


5.1 Rules of Order



5.3 How to Get a Motion Considered by Council


5.4 How to Bring an Issue to a Vote


5.5 How to Bring an Issue to Council


5.6 How to Make Views Known at a Public Hearing



6. The First Council Meeting


7. Council Meeting #2


8. Subsequent Council Meetings



8.1 Council Meeting #3


8.2 Council Meeting #4


8.3 Council Meeting #5


8.4 Council Meeting #6


8.5 Council Meeting #7


8.6 Subsequent Council Meetings



9. Summerville: A History



9.1 Geography


9.2 Early History


9.3 Industrial Development


9.4 Maturity


9.5 Demographies


9.6 Land Uses



10. Issues



10.1 Election of an Acting Mayor


10.2 Resolution of Congratulations


10.3 Completing the Current Year Budget


10.4 Water Treatment Plant

10.5

10.6 Financial Support for Girls' Volleyball


10.7 Beauty Salon Rezoning

10.8 Centrum Hotel and Casino


10.9 Summerville Sash and Door


10.10 Regional Government Fire Protection

10.11 The "Wild Flower House"


10.12 Riverside Acres Building Permit


10.13 Trade Mission to India


10.14 Wedding Shop Issue


10.15 The "Too Big" House


10.16 Fees for Public Skating


10.17 Massage Therapy Issue


10.18 Are Five Cars Too Many?


10.19 Skateboard Problems


10.20 "Big Box" Retail


10.21 Speeding Taxi Driver


10.22 Non-Resident Use of City Recreation Facilities


10.23 Renewal of Downtown Sidewalks


10.24 Accessing Pornography at the Library


10.25 Purchase or Lease?


10.26 Imposing Development Cost Charges


10.27 "It Was, And Is, A Good Deal"


10.28 Economic Development Commission


10.29 Surplus Federal Lands


10.30 "It's Ours To Spend"


10.31 Commuter Suburb


10.32 Retirement Resort


Characters


11.1 Auto Wrecker



11.2 Beautician



11.3 "Big Box" Developer



11.4 Building Contractor



11.5 Building Inspector



11.6 Casino Developer



11.7 Chair, Chamber of Commerce



11.8 Chair of the Recreation Commission



11.9 City Administraor



11.10 City Clerk



11.11 City Planner



11.12 City Treasurer



11.13 Councillor #1



11.14 Councillor #2



11.15 Councillor #3



11.16 Councillor #4



11.17 Councillor #5



11.18 Councillor #6



11.19 Door Maker



11.20 Elementary School Teacher



11.21 Hardware Store Owner



11.22 Librarian



11.23 Massage Therapist



11.24 Newspaper Reporter



11.25 President of the Fire Fighters' Union



11.26 Pub and Motel Owner



11.27 Public Health Inspector



11.28 Real Estate Developer



11.29 Ridgeview Drive Resident



11.30 Riverside Acres Owner



11.31 Riverside Anglican Church Minister



11.32 Royal Heights Resident



11.33 Solicitor



11.34 Speedy Taxi Driver



11.35 Sports Parent



11.36 Wild Flower Lady



The Election



12.1 Election Legislation



Appendices


Appendix 1 - Council Procedure By-law


Appendix 2 - Legislative Extracts


Appendix 3 - Role Preference Form


Appendix 4 - Sample Ballot Paper


Appendix 5 - City of Summerville Nomination Papers

What People are Saying About This

Andrew Sancton

In the past I have tried to adapt American simulations of local politics for use in the Canadian classroom. It was quite a struggle for everybody, including me. Now that we have Local Government in Action, running such simulations will be much easier. Kennedy and Wilson have done a great job in constructing a realistic, fictional municipality and an engaging cast of characters and set of cases. Teaching and learning about Canadian local government has a valuable new resource.

Mary Louise McAllister

Simulations are one of the most effective teaching tools available, but Canadian political science instructors often have to rely on international material much to the frustration of both teachers and students; this is particularly the case with Canadian local government. This simulation of Canadian municipal decision-making covers every contingency with the well-written, easy-to-follow instructor's manual. The well-informed authors have included contemporary local issues including debates over big-box stores, suburban parking, and downtown renewal; they will engage students, foster a solid knowledge of civics, and build critical thinking and debating skills. The flexible format permits adaptation to different course requirements and time-frames, leaving room for the addition of companion texts and material.

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