Safe Passage

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Another Stunt For The Election":

I think it's highly inappropriate -- not to mention cowardly -- for you to continue to publicly criticize staff on this blog when you know damn well they can't respond publicly.

Why aren't you asking these type of questions at Town Hall instead of in public? All you're doing is continuing to add to the poisoned atmosphere and, no doubt, further eroding staff morale.

And I'm sure the irony of you using social media to question the town's use of social media is not lost on your readers

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Had a staff report been submitted and authority requested for blogging, posting on Facebook and tweeting; had the  report  not included answers to  questions; I would have argued the points in council debate when the report was being considered 

Several options would have been available to me. I could have moved the report be received;  deferred,  referred for further information to be provided,  tabled indefinitely,or the recommendation  be turned down. .

It would be a debate between  equals. The decision would be made by council, accountable to the community for how tax dollars are spent.

It would have been a recorded vote, if it got to that point.

That's how it should be.

That's not how it was.

It would not now be a  public challenge for council to justify a  lack of concern  and respect for due process.

A media release  indicates the Mayor's support for the program. I assume that means he is confident of Council support or he doesn't think it's needed.

Anyone who doesn't understand, has no experience with  how a municipal corporation functions.

They do not understand the difference between a privately owned corporation which accounts to no-one but its owner and a public corporation  with the requirement, to publicly account for how public funds are used.

They do not understand the need for open and transparent decision-making.

As an elected official, I have no authority to direct or advise a municipal employee of the requirements of his job.That responsibility belongs to his supervisor.

I would not however hesitate to advise any employee of the wisdom of  paying  close attention to the line between elected and administrative authority.

You stay on your side. I will stay on mine. I was elected to do a job. It's what I mean to do without fear or favour.

I am not just a pretty face.

I am also  confident  readers of this blog are, in the main, as interested in the answers  as I am.

Mind  who you call a coward, Mr.or Mrs Anonymous.