Ok, you caught me. The headline isn't quite accurate.

Only 32.4% of Cape Breton children are living in poverty. The 46.2% I used in the headline is just the percentage of kids 6 years and under that are living in poverty. They happen to be the most vulnerable, don't you think?

We're getting close to half of all children living in Cape Breton, from infant to grade primary or grade one, living in poverty.

Please don't read any further until you really absorb that reality.

Fortunately We Have Someone Focused on Tackling this Tragedy Afflicting Our Youth

One of the key figures in taking on this challenge is Lynne McCarron, Executive Director of United Way, Cape Breton.

In fact, she recently took it all the way to Ottawa where she was able to give a briefing of our situation to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She also attended the national poverty summit "Cities Reducing Poverty: When Mayors Lead", though Mayor Cecil Clarke skipped it and sent Councillor Flynn instead.

Then on June 21st, Ms. McCarron showed up to speak to the CBRM council. She delivered a short presentation called the "Cape Breton Poverty Reduction Strategy".

As a part of her presentation, she introduced a very practical idea. She suggested that her objective is to do better at getting the message out about the extremely concerning rate of child poverty in Cape Breton.

People need to know the extent of the problem before they are compelled to be a part of the solution.

Asking Permission to Put a Video Display in Centre 200

So McCarron came prepared with her ask.

She wanted to put a video display in Centre 200 that would describe the state of child poverty in Cape Breton; introduce the programs the United Way is involved in and how their funding is spent; and acknowledge the sponsors.

She told council that she has checked with Centre 200 Manager, Paul MacDonald, and he said it could be done with permission of council. It was a clear and practical idea. She just needed the thumbs up.

Councillor Saccary Couldn't Resist Raising a "Concern"

Councillor Cormier embraced the idea. After a quick clarification on what she intended, he put the motion to the floor to give approval, and it was seconded by Councillor Eldon MacDonald.

But then it was Councillor Saccary's turn to weigh in:

"I guess my concern... ah... is ah... I certainly appreciate where you're coming from... ah... I'd like to have some kind of... um... acknowledgement be it through the CAO or someone in that particular department who can uh... um... make sure I guess we're following proper process. That's all."

We can talk about why that's an unnecessary comment from a councillor with major issues with process. But first, here's a video that captures the exchange, cut down to just a couple minutes:

Link: https://youtu.be/NiZWMNpSpdA

It's Ok to Drop the Red Tape Nonsense

Councillor Saccary needs to be reminded of his role - and pay attention to the child poverty statistics in the presentation. His job isn't to micro-manage Centre 200 electronics or media content... just as it wasn't his job to micro-manage CBRM Public Works as to how they go about coordinating signage changes in Louisbourg.

Let the manager of Centre 200 do his job. If there were any issues with the video presentation provided by United Way, I'm sure the manager would have the good judgement to address it or escalate it to executive management at the CBRM - if needed.

UPDATE (7/5/2016): To clarify, council did vote in favor of this motion, including Councillor Saccary. The point is that there seems to be emphasis on process when it doesn't matter, and a lack of it when it is absolutely essential. And that has to change.

You Can't Pick and Choose When to Be the Process Guy

The irony of raising a concern of "process" for such a practical, easy to understand idea, is that it came from Saccary.

What is his track record with stuff that falls within the realm of "process"?

• He sits on the Port of Sydney Development Corporation Board  - with the mayor and other councillors - despite elected officials not being permitted to do so (per its corporate articles).
• He put his fiduciary responsibilities to the citizens of the CBRM in limbo when he suggested that the CBRM and Port of Sydney Dev Corp shared accounts the way husband and wife access each other's' bank accounts (AGM meeting).
• He took cheap shots at Synergy Louisbourg in the Cape Breton Post on two occasions, and suggested he wouldn't communicate with them.
• He became a director of the "Destination Louisbourg Society" after "Destination Louisbourg" was already in use by Synergy Louisbourg, as presented to council. And he never acknowledged his conflict of interest before council, or described what he was trying to accomplish. But then it was quietly struck off without explanation in May 2016.
• He tried to misrepresent the Chair of Louisbourg Synergy, Dorothy Payne, before council (or his "First Lady" as his fellow councillor whispered on his still active microphone) and then tried to prevent her from speaking. She outclassed him and set the record straight.
• He put the Louisbourg Hub School and Louisbourg Gabarus Highway Reopening projects at greater risk by getting in the way of the complementary Destination Louisbourg project.
• He was one of the majority of councillors who voted for the Archibald's Wharf sale agreement without having sufficient time to actually read it thoroughly first.

Based on the above track record, I would suggest that Councillor Saccary has some serious issues with process as well as the ethics and conduct necessary to fulfill his role as councillor.

So how about just getting out of the way?

Ms. McCarron's video display at Centre 200 wasn't difficult to understand. She shouldn't have to arrange to come back to council or deal with red tape to get this going. Get out of her way, and let her do her job.

The target of reducing poverty is only 5% over 5 years.

If we meet that goal, there will still be over 27% of our children living in poverty. So enough of the nonsense commentary on process. Let's start getting serious about really taking on this challenge.

It's time for some empathy. The answer is "No". Kids can't eat red tape. I assure you, it has zero nutritional value.

The Full "Cape Breton Poverty Reduction Strategy" Presentation by Lynne McCarron

Link: https://youtu.be/lqHNbYMvNgc