Leadercast-Nanaimo's Challenger disaster

Leadercast-Nanaimo's Challenger disaster - demonstrates the need for management change at the highest level.

In large complex structures there are safety systems designed to protect key elements and keep overall operations functioning.  Like a car engine thermostat, a bathtub overflow drain or gas pump handle shut off, small safety mechanism prevent catastrophe.  They exist to prevent major problems that could impact the overall operation of the main structure.  Failure of these relatively small parts can have tragic consequences.  There are many examples. 

The infamous and ill fated space shuttle "Challenger" disaster was caused by the failure of a part called an "O" ring.  This "O"ring was designed to stop hot burning combustion gasses from coming in contact with explosive fuel.  It failed to do its job, the flames touched the fuel. 

Nanaimo's Leadercast fiasco was a similar safety system failure.  The wrong tool was used.  It was like using a hammer to clean a window.  It was wrong.  The safety system that could have caught this, that monitors the appropriate use of tools, failed.

There are several overarching Provincial Acts, Legislation and Regulations governing and affecting Municipal operations.  The Legislative Services department of any City government organization exists to interpret and apply these various rules.  The rules are many, varied, connected and complex.  This is not a game for the faint of heart, hobbyist or armchair quarterback.  Like any trade, profession or sport there is a specific and detailed level of knowledge required and the ability to apply this in a timely and accurate manner.  A reasonable level of education, training & experience is necessary to function at a reasonably high standard on a reasonably consistent basis.  

Nanaimo's Leadercast fiasco was caused by a motion being passed that was later rescinded.

The motion was wrong, the safety mechanism failed,  disaster occurred. 

The real scary part of Leadercast - Nanaimo's "O" ring failure -  is that it could happen again.

The space shuttle was different after Challenger.  Parts, processes & procedures were redesigned and implemented.  Lessons were learned, things moved, things changed.

Has anything moved here in Nanaimo as a result of Leadercast.  The election may see movement on the governance side due to Leadercast.  Is this right? Is this appropriate?

I call this a civic management issue, not a governance issue.  I suggest that this is only one of a series of slow and poor results in the past year.   It is only 1 bad game in this season.  It is a very telling issue or "game" that clearly demonstrates the inability current management to produce quality results.

I suggest it clearly demonstrates the need for a higher level of management sophistication and a more "systems" oriented approach.  One small part can bring down the show.  A commitment to the highest level of education, training and experience at all levels of the organization has to start at the top in order to be applied beyond and below.