"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Rules have a purpose

Council members  under  rules of civil procedure are not permitted to accuse one another of wrong-doing.

The  same rule applies to any citizen who exercises the courtesy extended  to address Council as a delegate.

The Mayor was right to stop Mr.Heard from making an accusation in a public meeting.

I would have done the same thing.

I did not agree with the issue  being raised again however at another point in the meeting.

I called a point of order.

The  Mayor dismissed the point of order.

It was a judgement call.

As presiding member, it was his to make.

A challenge to the ruling would have called more attention to the accusation.

I did not exercise the option.

There's a rule for everything.

If the rules are respected  there  can be nothing treacherous about holding elected office.

Carrying insurance against the potential of a  reputation destroyed   by another ,should not be a consideration when contemplating a bid for office;  or a  consequence of  being honored to be chosen for office




3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Evelyn, it was most peculiar when the Mayor brought it up again after the speaker was not there to respond.

Anonymous said...

"The Mayor was right to stop Mr.Heard from making an accusation in a public meeting.

I would have done the same thing."

Finally, something we agree upon!

Anonymous said...

Do you never sleep, woman ?