"Politics is like a quilt formed of hundreds of patches that come together, creating security and strength," Michael Mantha writes in the Sault Star.
"I know from experience that great things can happen when committees comprising government, opposition, and independent members shun partisanship, instead maintaining dialogue to make legislation work for the people it is intended to govern."
But when a government minister recently visited Mantha's riding to announce grants and program launches in several communities, Mantha was "thrilled at such good news."
But as he listened to the speech, "I couldn't help but feel nettled at such good news because the minister did not give credit where credit was due.
Yes, funding is doled out by various ministries and agencies.
But, long before the applications are submitted for consideration, much groundwork must be put in place by organization volunteers, municipal administrators, and so on by the community recipients."
"It doesn't start just weeks before the applications are submitted," Mantha continues.
"And that work doesn't start months before.
To be clear, the standard I hold other politicians to also applies to me first and foremost.
I always receive calls, emails, letters, and handshakes from constituents who thank me for helping resolve personal or community
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Caroline Diehl is a serial social entrepreneur in the impact media space. She is Executive Chair and Founder of the UK’s only charitable and co-operatively owned national broadcast television channel Together TV, the leading broadcaster for social change runs a national TV channel in the UK and digital platform which helps people find inspiration to do good in their lives and communities.