The rules work. They are pre-eminent.

The first order of business for a newly elected Council is to swear the Oath of Office.

The second is to  adopt the Procedure Bylaw.

The Bylaw encompasses several aspects of Council responsibility.

Not least,  are the rules whereby we agree to  conduct ourselves in a manner conducive to civility and order.

The rule permits free expression  of strongly held  convictions  and disagreements which in a social venue would  not be acceptable.

It may be why I enjoy politics. I   don't do dainty.

I think Aurora Council does a fair job of lively exchange without inflicting  wounds.

I think it's what our community expects of us.

Community involvement is stimulated  and the social media is  bonus.

It's  best if the rules are observed.

If  each member is proficient there' s no need for the chair to be ruling the roost.

Councillors govern their own conduct.

Delegations are  also governed by the rules.

There is a time limit for presentation.

Councillors are permitted to  ask a question for clarity.

Councillors are not permitted to engage the delegate in argument or  discussion.

It's  the rule.

The purpose is obvious.  A  business meeting of Council is to deal with the business of the corporation.

The procedure bylaw sets out when meetings will be held.  The business agenda is proclaimed beforehand.

Start of the meeting and  hour of adjournment  and agenda  are publicized beforehand so that all may know what business  will be transacted.

Failure on a regular basis , to accomplish what  is set out to be accomplished during the time set aside for the purpose , reflects incompetence.

It puts the rule of order into disrepute.

Neither Councillors  nor the Municipality are well-served by the failure.

On Tuesday, more than an hour of the meeting was taken up with  presentations in
support of a proposal which  did not emanate from the Corporation or the Council.

Council still had to commence deliberation of the matter.

For the umpteenth time ,Mr. Albino had fifteen minutes to prevail upon Council to expend millions of dollars of public resources on rundown real estate.

Questions and answers were allowed.

Discussion between the delegate and Councillors was curtailed as much as  required .

The rules were implemented.

The meeting proceeded .

 The agenda was completed by 9.30 p.m.

A closed session agenda was also completed by the hour of adjournment.

I did my job the way it is  intended.

It doesn't call for smarm or  subservience.

It doesn't merit  apology.

It's the people's business .

It  is why we were elected.