Just Give Us The Facts ...Ma-am

The Mayor was aggrieved  last night.

Understandably .

As I was, two weeks since .

I had  received information of a deeply disturbing nature.

I have to use language like that to convey the depth of my feeling.

I requested  the item be added to a confidential agenda.   I disclosed what I knew and sought the Mayor's assistance in determining facts of the matter.I perceive the role of the Chief Executive
Officer as conduit on  privacy matters between Council and administration.

The negative response  prompted the motion presented  last night to direct the Mayor to report to Council how he perceives his role.

The discussion was delicate. Information from an in -camera meeting is "sacrosanct"  the Mayor said. He  listened to the tape and  claimed he did not say what I said he said.

But he had . he said, said it  previously.in public ...during the election. He  gave the commitment then that he would not micro-manage.

He held up  three pristine paperback books to indicate he had learned his role from learned authors. And other Mayors.

The Municipal Act does give the Mayor the title of Chief Executive Officer, he acknowledged, but it  seems to mean nothing.

If he had executive authority " there  would be changes " he said

It was an illuminating discussion.  How the Mayor perceives his role and how not.

The vote was five to four .The deciding vote being the Mayor's, not to direct himself to report to Council  how he perceives his role.

He told Council, however, he will provide a report.

There  are some areas of disagreement.

I do not think of in camera meetings as "sacrosanct"  It's an odd reference in political  terms.

In the last ten years, a multitude of municipal officials were made redundant by amalgamation
of the boroughs that formed Metro. Metro itself was dismantled.

They  took to hanging out shingles, writing  books and conducting workshops anywhere and everywhere to make a living. Can't blame them.

Next week ,there's a two day workshop at the town hall on parliamentary procedure .The fee is $449.
plus tax  for each person.The consultant bills himself as a parliamentarian.  No indication he has ever held elected office.

In the consultant study on Service Levels one of the functions of the communications division is speech-writing  for the Mayor and  Councillors.

Wouldn't be surprised  to learn the column in The Auroran is written by staff  as well and reports from the Region and Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority .

Maybe when the Mayor writes his  promised report, he will include  remuneration for the job. Whatever he thinks it is.

That's the thing about elected office.

It's public.  Not private.