MAYOR Sam katz sent many signals when he shuffled his executive policy committee this week. Chief among them was the signal that councillors are independent and can disagree with the mayor on major policy issues, but there is a line that cannot be crossed if they wish to remain members of the mayor's inner circle. That seems a logical and sensible signal to send.

That councillors can disagree with the mayor without fear of reprisal seems clear in Mr. Katz's decisions to keep NDP Coun. Lillian Thomas on executive policy committee, with particular responsibility to advocate for aboriginal policies, and to put Liberal Coun. John Angus in charge of the alternative service committee.

Both councillors spoke passionately last month against the mayor's plan to delay a start on bus rapid transit for Winnipeg, and both stuck to their guns and voted ii the minority against the delay and the redirection of money from mass transit to repair of community clubs. Although Winnipeg's governance model is the "strong mayor model", that does not mean that Winnipeg mayors can be autocratic. The mayor still requires a majority on council to get things done. Forming majority coalitions requires give and take. Mr. Katz signals with these two appointments that he understands and respects that disagreement on policies is natural and healthy at city hall.

That there is a line that cannot be crossed, however, also was signaled. Where exactly that line is remains unclear, but that it exists was signalled when Mr. Katz dropped from executive committee Coun. Jenny Gerbasi. It could be said that in her advocacy for bus rapid transit, Coun. Gerbasi not only advocated for the system, but also made clear she was opposed to any alternative view. It would appear that Mr. Katz decided that if she wishes to act in opposition, she could not be part of the governing team but rather, and appropriately, should be in opposition. This outcome could not have come as a surprise to Coun. Gerbasi. She knew what she was doing and where it likely would lead. that she stayed the course she had set for herself and accepted the consequences is to her credit.

Mr. Katz also has signalled that he can delegate responsibility. He has appointed councillors Mark Lubosch, Russ Wyatt and Franco magnifico to examine rapid transit, red tape and environmental strategies.

Mr. Katz has said that his priorities are to reduce business taxes in Winnipeg, to build on past efforts to revitalize the downtown and to work toward improving transit and recreation services, amoung other things. The team he has assembled to do so seems more conservative than before. But it also appears to have sufficient diversity on the left and centre to advance his priorities ii a manner sensitive to the diversity of issues and opinions of all Winnipeggers.