Dithery Dans and Slippery Sams

 said...

I’m curious to know how you feel about Cllr Piri’s motion to make recorded votes. random. Sounds like it won’t make a difference for some (you’ll have your opinion decided, but will listen to the other councillor’s debate if there is one), and will vote as you see fit. This could pose an issue for some councillors who maybe don’t think for themselves, and on past councils were just told how to vote. Do you care one way or the other? Do you feel you’re advantaged by being at the top of the list? Would you likely change your vote if you were the last one?

10 May, 2011 8:09 AM

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According to procedure, a recorded vote has to be requested. The request can have a dual result.

Unlike Hansard which is a verbatim record of all remarks made at the upper levels of government, and I think even at the Region, the minutes of a Council meeting are extremely sparse.

The Municipal Act  charges the Clerk of the Municipality with keeping the records. It further states the  decisions of Council shall be recorded " without note or comment"

So... all that's  required is the name of the mover and seconder and whether or not the motion was approved.

If a Councillor, usually opposed,  feels strongly enough about an issue to want his/her vote appear on the record, then a request is made for a recorded vote.

If the issue is controversial and public interest is evident, a  recorded vote can have a  salutary effect  on a Councillor who may be straddling the fence. It's handy to be able to vote for or against then claim  the opposite stand, depending on  the view of the voter one happens to be  sharing their views.

A recorded vote removes  ease of shilly-shallying.

There's always plenty of that about.

I value the right to cast a vote the way I see it. I believe it's expected of me.

The vote is taken at the end of debate. By the time it's called everyone should know their  intention. Shouldn't make  whit of difference when one's name is called.

But for some it does.  

Whether  not  knowing when one's  name is going to be called will help Dithery Dans  and Slippery Sams to make up their minds, I do not know. 

It certainly wont make a difference to me. 

I think the idea  panders to the invertebrates among us.

Pshaw!!