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