Council Orientation

The Orientation Binder has been distributed to the new Council. Copies of the Procedure Bylaw and Code of Ethics are part of the package.

The contrivance of a Code of Ethics offends me. Nothing that has happened since it was adopted, persuades my initial reaction was off-base.

The idea a person elected to bring a perspective to the table, needs a manual to apell out required behaviour on pain of penalty is a contradiction in terms.

First, elections give authority to the people to choose representation.

Second, there's an Oath of Office binding those chosen to good conduct by law.

We may not take a seat at the table until we have sworn the Oath.

We are subject to criminal charges if we breach the Oath.

Third, we have Rules of Order which commit us to civil conduct during proceedings of Council.

If these three are not sufficient to warrant dignity and integrity in conduct of town business,no contrived mass of verbiage will accomplish the objective.

On November 24th, Council-elect will meet with staff to be briefed with a high level overview of issues. We have no authority until we have taken the Oath of Office on December7th.