Toronto Has a Speaker

Appointed from  Council membership. The City of Toronto Act calls for it. But not for other  municipalities in Ontario. I don't think it's necessary ..

The  problem  we have are tampered  standards. People have gotten used to the idea, rules can be interpreted to suit the occasion. 

Councillor Gaertner is convinced  asking endless questions of staff  is legitimate debate.

A change in the rules limits time for debate but allows that to continue.

I think that's crazy. Debate is  taking a position for or against the question.When all sides have been heard, the question  is put and a vote taken.

A Councilor either  contributes to debate or not.  They should be prepared to speak, listen and think on their feet. If they are not, they should not.

It wasn't happening during the last four years. Former  Councillor Mac Eachern would be recognised  by the chair without even turning  and would monopolise the next twenty minutes with  an endless run of questions. Following which, she was ready to vote
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Gaertner stubbornly sticks to what's familiar.Brings written questions to the table and charging everyone else with being know-nothings.

When I came back in 2003, Morris, Kean and Vrancic  were at the top of the table. They hogged  the best committees.  I expressed my dis-satisfaction. I had been used to Mayor and Clerk working on committee memberships subject to  preferences and tabling  a report  for approval.

"Well" I said. "makes no  never mind.  Councillors are entitled  by law to  participate in town business
wherever it's happening. 

Council Kean indicated no. That was not so..

I checked the bylaw and discovered changed wording.  A Councillor could attend  meetings and participate ... IF....  recognized by the Chair.

I  moved  to amend.  Councillors have authority to participate, They may not vote if not a member. Recognition  to speak from the chair is a given.

A Councillor cannot be excluded from discussion on a whim of the chair.

Councillor Vrancic saw no need to amend. He did not foresee  a Councillor being  excluded from  discussion.

In fact it had  happened.

Former Councillor Betty Pedersen  attended a Leisure Services Advisory Committee. Took a seat at the table  and was directed by the chair to leave the table and sit with  non-members.

Councillor Vrancic was the chair .

The vote changed to favour the amendment.

Kean, Morris and Gaertner opposed.  A Councillor was absent. Missed the discussion.  Was there for Council's decision. Voted against it . The amendment was defeated.

At the first meeting of  the 2006 term, the first time I spoke, I had not said six words when Councillor Mac Echearn  interrupted with  a point of order.  Upheld by the chair.

I apologised and committed to doing better and continued in humble mien.

The second time I  spoke, Councillor Wilson called a point of order before I'd gotten  five words out.

A pattern formed. When I spoke, Councillor Wilson would slide down in his chair, let his eyes roll up in his head and his tongue loll out of the side of his mouth.

People  watching at home at home were both astounded and horrified. .

I endured  that conduct  for eight months.  I started the  blog in August 2007 when it was clear nothing was going to change. Y'know...if a fight is what you want, a fight is what you'll get.

Enmity was real and palpable. It was not about positive change. It was about seek and destroy.

Four years of distortion and manipulation took their toll  on the practice of rules. The new Council has followed on what was.

But they are intent on doing  better. It  will take more work and good will and working toward  the same objective  to get the town's business done in a timely and efficient manner.

Agendas need to be manageable and assembled with more consideration and respect for what can be accomplished in a single sitting.

Rules need to be brief, succinct , easily memorised and no longer subject to interpretation.

We just need a little more time and knowing we can trust each other.

A Council  swims together or it sinks.

I don't believe anyone fancies that.

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