I always enjoy reading a well thought out editorial such as the one appearing in your paper on 17 September.

The comments about Magistrate Padovani’s prompt action were spot on and yes, we need many more decisive persons like her in the day to day execution of their respective duties.

There are two main reasons why key personnel in both the public and private entities seem indecisive and lethargic at best.

One reason, of course, is the widespread idea that if an employee makes a mistake, the wrath of heaven should immediately descend upon him or her.

This attitude contributes immensely in the erosion of self-confidence and the next time another decision is to be made, it will take longer for the same employee to weigh the pros and cons in case another faux pas will mean a setback in his or her career, or possibly dismissal.

In the case of government management employees, as the end of a mandate draws near, their efficiency drops especially when high officials of the opposition party publicly declare that their party has already identified many individuals especially selected to run the various government departments if and when they are elected. Why would a department head give two bits about efficiency when there is a perceived threat to his or her job, irrespective of how well their past performances were rated?

We boast of a 7,000-year history and of being unique in our culture. Right on. We are unique in our methods of divisiveness especially in nurturing a 7,000-year old mentality!

Joe Martinelli

London, Ontario

Canada