Rise And Report

We used to  rise and address the chair. We did not have microphones. We were not on camera There were no audio tapes. 

The Council chamber in Aurora was a big room. The County Council Chamber was  bigger .

Standing to address the chair has a salutary effect. It  called for focus,and organisation of one's thoughts. A person really needs to be prepared.
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Sitting around a table, directing random questions at this director or that to help one firm up a position   instills no confidence in the argument  presented....if one is.

That's what debate is.

There were fourteen municipalities in the County  each  represented by a Reeve and Deputy Reeve.

Contribution to debate  was optional.  It still is
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There were no consent motions to approve recommendations without discussion.

Standing committees recommended to council. Staff were not in the direct line of fire.

At  County Council, a  committee would  rise and report. They would  leave their seats and assemble at a  table in the centre of the horseshoe with the appropriate  director.

Challenges to a recommendation were from councillors  to committee members.  If a committee chair could not answer a question , only then was the director allowed  to participate

Public display of  dependence on staff to help one formulate a position, does not reflect favourably. It illustrates failure to prepare, absence of judgment or both

If a councillor has not done their homework or is incapable of comprehending the recommendation,  best not put that on display.

"Better to be silent and  thought a fool than open one's mouth and remove all doubt" Socrates.

At the head of our table conferencing is visible and  constant between the presiding member , the Chief Administrator and the Clerk of the Municipality.

What we do in Aurora  Council scarcely resembles  formal debate. Being seated reduces formality. Creates a casual environment. Consistent application of the rules suffer as a consequence.

At the last Council  meeting, the procedure bylaw was recommended for approval. I came prepared to debate. My points of dispute were clear,  I hoped to illustrate how many and how significant they were   and argue for postponement  for further  work to be done.

The presiding member directed  each of my points to staff for a response. It was not my intent.It took far more of council's time than  intended. And frankly I was extremely uncomfortable being steered into a process that I  absolutely oppose.
 
But I believe the chair was well intended.

I stopped before finishing. The bylaw did not accompany the agenda. The item was referred to the next council meeting.

In my judgment,a formal council meeting is not the right place for  work that still needs to be done.It's the place for debate and decision.  I allowed myself to be sidestepped. It  happens when lines are blurred and  people are working at cross purpose.

Commenters are expressing frustration  with the Mayor's difficulty with  the rules.

Patience is  not an option.

We needed to elect Geoff Dawe. He offered to serve. Learning in a fish bowl how to provide guidance and leadership to an eight member council, without requisite skills is not an easy task. It's not easy for a person with requisite skills. When  it looks easy and things run smoothly, that's  a reflection of considerable skill.

We knew that or should have, when we voted. What we need  to do  now is recognise  it's not a one-man show. We need to  work  to-gether  with due respect for  the Mayor's responsibility.

If he succeeds , we all succeed. And vice versa