Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Rules have a purpose":
The rules do get confusing. I had gotten the impression that when you made a point of order, the rest of Council got to vote. I didn't realize that the
Chair could dismiss it.
****************
The situation was not that straightforward.
The normal process is for the presiding member to maintain order.
A Councillor recognisedy the chair ,addresses his/her remarks to the chair.
To maintain order, the chair calls a member to order if comments are out of order.
If members know and respect the rules, there should be no need for the chair to call a member to order.
The Mayor is normally the presiding member.
If the Mayor decides to participate in debate, the gavel is handed over to the deputy-mayor. who then becomes the presiding member.
On this occasion , there was no question on the table.
The delegate's comment had been disallowed. His microphone was shut off.
Later in the meeting, the Mayor decided to re-introduce the matter to repudiate the
comment.
My point of order was against the Mayor's re-introduction of comment that was disallowed ,so that he could issue a rebuttal.
There is no provision in the rules for doing that.
But the Mayor dismissed the point anyway and claimed authority
His rebuttal could have triggered a rebuttal of the rebuttal.
Thereby creating disorder out of order.
I chaired the previous meeting of Council in Committee.
Two delegations were on hand to present on the Hillary-McIntyre real estate scheme.
Extended time was allowed.
Lots of opportunity for political posturing , loss of control and ensuing mayhem.
I did what I perceived was necessary to maintain control of the meeting.
No challenges emanated from Council.
Next morning an e-mail was received , circulated to all Councillors on a first name basis, other than myself.
The writer observed I was rude, crass, and hostile to the delegate . My conduct was unacceptable and the writer was embarrassed to be in the Council Chamber.
I offered his comments wider circulation with name attached.
He didn't want that.
Said his comments were respectful and intended to be confidential.
I would really like to have read that letter. And known who wrote it.
ReplyDeleteWould that be the GC that went so smoothly that everything was finished & people got to go home early ? I'm pretty sure you didn't even participate because you were chairing the meeting.
ReplyDeleteThe Liberal did not do too well in the by-elections. Does that mean we are looking at a spring election ?
ReplyDeleteOur Auroran this week had a whole section or 2 on advertising. We don't get the Banner but I would suspect it has become smaller. As Martha would say,
ReplyDelete' And that's a good thing ".
ReplyDeleteEnough of rules already.
Let us have a post with some raw meat on the bone.
ReplyDeleteIn honour of Valentine's Day can we have a love story?
The HAC would appear to have bitten off more than they can chew again. I won't mention where I acquired that info.
ReplyDeleteI really hope you had a good day off without us & without bronchitis.
ReplyDeleteTo 13:44 I think that is one point Mr.Heard was trying to make.
ReplyDelete23:08
ReplyDeleteFortunately there are other voices joining his chorus. Check out c.w.