The Code Of Ethics

Schedule B of the Procedural Bylaw.

Now that we have had experience with the Code and the community can be said to have passed judgment on it,the newly elected Council has a decision to make.

A review might be timely.

Keep in mind a Bylaw is municipal legislation. It is expected to be enforced like any other law.

Consider the preamble. It says in part;

"Attaining an elected position within one's community is a privilege which carries significant responsibilities and obligations.Members of Council are held to a high standard as leaders of the community and they are expected to become well informed on all aspects of municipal governance,administration,planning and operations.They are expected to carry out their duties in a fair, impartial,transparent and professional manner "

Read it again and let it sink in for a bit

Take that word privilege. It stems from the word private. It means a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit or advantage or favor as attached to a particular position or an office. Sort of like the nobility in a monarchy.

Is that how we think of a member of Aurora Council? Well,not moi. But as we know, I don't speak for tout le monde.

Check what the Bylaw expects of Councillors. They must become well-informed on all aspects of municipal governance and carry out their duties in a fair,impartial,transparent and professional manner.

Last week, we had a substantial audience at a next to last meeting of a four year term of the out-going Council which promoted, approved and prosecuted under the Code of Ethics.

There have been comments since which have not reflected an appreciation of any of the qualities noted as required in the Preamble to the Code of Ethics, Schedule B of the Town of Aurora Procedural Bylaw.

It was a special meeting called to deal with an agenda of one item. It should have been completed within ten minutes,tops.

It lasted one hour and forty minutes. The Procedure Bylaw was suspended to add an item after the meeting and the agenda were publicised.

The add-on was suspect. Forty-five minutes of talk went round and round without a question on the table.

Two recesses were called for the presiding member to obtain advice from staff on separate procedures.

A staff person was interrogated in what appeared to be a challenge to his competence.

Members of the audience were shouted at by a Member of Council.

The Presiding member ordered the chamber be cleared. The order was greeted with amazement and amusement.

Advice from the Elections Officer and the Town Solicitor on Election Law was
challenged repeatedly.

Eventually a resolution, with a redundant clause giving direction on how to hold the re-count, was passed.

The re-count will be held to-morrow in the Council Chamber.

I am not confident it will be allowed to proceed without incident.

Not much to be said for the preamble to our Righteous Code of Ethics.