我於4月4日開始了我在屯門區議會的工作。首先是參加工商業及房屋委員會會議,在會議上,通過與其他議員之間的討論和交換意見,我學到了很多新事物;瞭解到各樣決定背後的原因;注意到在某些事情上,熱切辯論並不一定在關注項目本身的優點或缺點,
完全是因為有關專案是他們的政治對手所提出或正在處理,故提出批評意見。我相信做事通過民主程序是正常的,但往往帶來低效率的結果。相對來說,在區議會的層面,為了建立更好的社區,我們需要付出更多時間、更大的寬容,忍耐,互相遷就,甚至是自我防禦和保護。

何君堯

Tuen Mun District Council

My work at the Tuen Mun District Council commenced on 4th April where I participated in the discussions of the Commerce, Industry and Housing Committee. Being there was great as one could learn a lot of new things from the council’s discussions by simply listening to the views exchanged amongst members and understanding the rationale of decisions made behind those views.  Interestingly, I noticed that in some circumstances, the concern of heated debates on issues did not lie with the merit or demerit of the item itself but was rather focused on criticisms raised because the item was proposed or handled by an opposing group of a political party.  I guess this is normal but at the same time it is a rather ineffective way of dealing with matters through a democratic process.  Relatively speaking, at a council’s level, to achieve actual betterments for the community, it would take more time, greater indulgence, patience, mutual accommodation and even self protection (if not defence).

Junius K. Y. Ho