Change Happens

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "More Than Defamation":

The past few days have been heavy going and the Culture Vulture will be realizing they under-estimated the town and its council. Since you are the only visible target for their fury, your comments will likely be worse than usual. Weed them out and, if necessary, have a slow day on your Blog. You have better things to do than sort garbage.

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I don't receive comments from the  culture vultures.They write Letters to the Editor.

Abusive comments are usually personal.

They make no contribution to  any discernible topic.

They are immediately recognisable.as from the Mormac cult. When they appear, I know I've landed a good one. 

A comment this morning  referred to Georgina's lawyers and how they might have advised
Council.    Georgina Council may not have asked for advice..

The debate over covering  litigation costs  for Councillors started in Toronto in the last term. Councillor  Heap  was sued by a candidate in the previous election. He chose to defend  the action. Council voted to pay his bills.

It was done in open Council.

The city solicitor  informed Council they had no authority to do it

At some point  Councillor Heap stated he had to settle out of court because to continue would have put him into bankruptcy..

The Council voted to pay his legal bills.

Councillor Doug Holyday took the  matter to court at his own expense and the city's decision was reversed.

About the same time the Councillor who acts as Chairman of the Council  became involved in litigation. She was successful.

I think that may be the case lawyers use to persuade councillors they can sue citizens.

My recollection of particulars is hazy. I don't have time to go back and dig it all up again.

But there's a  difference between the  Presiding Member of  Toronto  Council  and other members

A chairperson surrenders the right to participate and vote  when the role of Presiding member is accepted. The only time they vote is when Council is deadlocked. The Speaker casts the deciding vote.

In theory it could be  powerful .  In practice, not. A tie vote may never happen.

The higher levels of government emphasize the principle with a ritua

When  the Speaker is chosen, party leaders drag the reluctant member to the Speaker's chair.

It may be, the  argument defending the Presiding Member's entitlement  to protection from litigationwas because of not having the right to participate in the political process

I don't know that for sure. I suspect it may be  the case cited by lawyers  or politicians to argue that  governments  can  take legal actions against citizens.

I could be wrong but it's all I can think of that would allow them to imagine they have a right.

Of course the fact is they risk nothing by trying if they are not using their own resources.

Georgina can take some comfort from the situation.

1. they stopped it.

2. It may prove to be the catalyst that brought them to-gether.

The next election should be lively.

It was in Aurora.

Changes were made