A Story About Relations

I have one, prompted in part by Chris Watt's recent post about things done by last council that need to be reviewed by the current council. And undone.

In part also by my own reference last week to Clause 4 of the Code of Conduct which refers to Council/Staff relations;the need for councillors to acknowledge and respect the role of staff.

I know of no written policy for staff to acknowledge and respect the role of a councillor. To be honest,I never before experienced the need.

Where does a councillor complain when staff overstep the mark into the political arena? What role for an integrity commissioner in that situation?

Staff are being asked to review the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Pshaw

Why would any self-respecting councillor ask staff how to conduct themselves in political office? Do we not present themselves for who we are, when we ask to be elected?

Does the person who marks a ballot endorsing an individual,not do so with hope and trust,that's the one, with all his faults and failings?

Is a person successful in election,expected to become someone else's idea of what he/she should be in office?

Which brings me to the story:

Last year during the World Cup Soccer Tournament in South Africa, a board appeared on the road allowance serving the Highland Soccer Club advertising the facilities.

It is a five acre parcel of land provided free of any charge by the town. There's an agreement that states the club cannot use the facility for profit.The obvious logic is the club cant compete with business in the community.

The board advertised to the passing trade of a liquor license and wide screen television and extended an invitation to the public to enjoy the facilities.

I waited a week for staff to do their job and inform the club they were in violation of their agreement. It didn't happen.

Then I did what a conscientious councillor is supposed to do. I drew the administration's attention to the issue for staff to ensure terms of the agreement were observed.

I dealt with the issue without politicising.

The next council agenda included a report updating the soccer club's lease.

Seated opposite me in the council chamber,in the back row were a dozen burly soccer players,arms folded,eyes fixed upon me as if daring me to speak.

The former Mayor wore a grin like a Cheshire cat, obviously pleased with the success of her scheme.

It did not work out quite how it was supposed to. I gave an account of myself.

The point is,the line was crossed to put me in that position.

That they did is not in doubt.

It was no coincidence the agreement appeared on the agenda. Any more than it was coincidence for twelve soccer players to arraign themselves opposite me in the council chamber. It was a clear attempt to intimidate.

They must have been recent arrivals in town.

Successful operation of a municipality relies on clear understanding between council and administration of separate roles and responsibilities.

A staff person who crosses the line into the political arena takes a needless
risk.

The pattern was set in the last term. It's something else that needs to change if we are not to bog down in its morass all over again.