At his annual 'state of the city' address, Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr told members of the community there have been "some bumps along the road" for the new and expanded council.
Zehr says city council has been facing some challenges working together, and "has not yet had the opportunity to truly define a collective vision for the future of our community, nor how we're going to be successful in helping our community to achieve that vision."
Seven of Kitchener's councillors are newly elected, while three councillors, and the mayor are returning.
So a learning curve is to be expected, and Zehr says he believes council will eventually find a balance, but it hasn't happened yet.
"We owe it to ourselves, and to the citizens we serve to come together and work towards a positive, long term, collective vision for the future of our community…While we may have campaigned as individual candidates, now is the time for us to come together and govern collectively," he says.
He added that responsible government is about investing wisely in the future, not just keeping taxes low.
One person, apparently unhappy with what Zehr had to say, was removed from the mayor's address by city hall security. It may not have been the only person who was upset.
Councillors react to Zehr's comments
First-time councillor Yvonne Fernandes says for the most part it has been a positive experience.
"I listen to my constituents, I listen to what they have to say, and that's what I'm here for. Sure staff has ways of doing things and yes the previous council had ways of doing things but it's a new era, it's a new opportunity for some change."
And sometimes, she says, it's important to balance what's good for the city with her own morals, ethics and principals.
Long-term Councillor Barry Vrbanovic says it is exciting to have change, and "You have to consider those things and try to bring them all together not necessarily to form consensus but at least to keep things moving forward in a positive way."
