The Regional Service Commissions are not operating as they were intended. The big question is whether they are dysfunctional, as some people claim, or are just experiencing growing pains.
Grand Bay-Westfield Mayor Grace Losier who chairs the Fundy Regional Service Commission tells CHSJ News representatives from the local service districts who are on the Commissions need more authority to make decisions.
As it stands now now, everything discussed at the commision must go back to the local service districts for a vote by everyone. Losier claims that just creates division as evidenced by the proposals for regional funding of arenas in her town and Sussex.
Losier says it will be up to the province to change things for the better and stop being the mayor of the local service districts.
While admitting the road is bumpy right now, she's optimistic things will work out in the end once there's a better understanding of what the Regional Service Commissions are supposed to accomplish.