Not In Any Circumstance

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Not Understood At All":

Councilor Buck I heard about last evenings meeting and what happened.
I get the feeling the story of David Heard, mentioned in the post at 7:46pm, has taken a stance against the bullying.
I am disgusted as a citizen if David was attacked like that.

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I  chaired last night's council-in-committee meeting. Councillors take turns.

David was listed as  one of eight  delegates.

The purpose for  delegation was stated but not followed.

Twice he indicated he intended to be diplomatic.   Then  he said he had something to say about an identifiable individual.

It was not permitted. The meeting was public.Comments about an identifiable individual are out of order in a public meeting.

The rule applies to council  and the public alike. The principle applies equally.

Council  meetings are held to process  the business of the
municipality. The Municipal  Act  requires municipalities to adopt rules of procedure to govern conduct of meetings. 

Some matters are allowed to be discussed behind closed doors. The right to privacy is considered sacrosanct.

The rule is not always respected. When I came back to Council in 2003, Former Councillor Al Wilson frequently used  the public forum to berate me in public.

Mr. Wilson had been a candidate several times without success. It seemed my being elected infuriated him 

He had to take the microphone and display his great displeasure to the world. Wilson was lacking in self-control.

I had to take the Mayor of the day, to one side a couple of times before he took the matter in hand and ruled Mr. Wilson out of order.

Ex- Councillor Keane thought Mr. Wilson  was being deprived of his rights.  

During the last term, numerous individuals  were encouraged to appear as delegates or in public forum  and make a variety of  unsubstantiated  accusations and  unfounded allegations .All directed against the same individual.

One memorable occasion, the town solicitor attempted  to intervene and advise council the onslaught was not a matter for Council .

It was  for naught. The presiding member was in charge.

Notwithstanding the Code of  Righteous Conduct,  no rules were observed that didn't fit her intent.

There was never any possibility the same licence would be permitted while I was in the chair.

Appearing as a delegate is a privilege. It is not a right.

Abuse of privilege is not acceptable under  any circumstance.