Before the day is over ,I need to make a fervent and humble apology to the Town's Recreation Director.
Last night I insisted I had forwarded information to him , sent to me about a fallen soldier of World War 1, whose name was recommended to be chiseled into the Town's War Memorial.
I mis-spoke.
The issue was front and center at the beginning of August. I was distracted by a family matter.
I did post the information in a Blog. I did not forward it.
I could not have a chosen worse night to make that mistake.
The Unholy Trinity of the current Council had a plan to ferret out misdeeds of staff in colluding to mislead Council into believing a double tennis court was being built within the budget adopted.
When all the time the project was in fact being built within the budget adopted.
The project was halfway completed in June, Councillor Gallo hedto the location and engineered a stop work order.
In August the recommendation was before Council for the work to
proceed.
It was deferred by a motion from Gaertner seconded by Gallo.
At last night's Council meeting, the recommendation was again before the Council.
Parks department manpower is augmented by seasonal
contract staff. The work program is planned around that availability of manpower.
Time is critical and interference from a Councillor is not the best way to get the job done.
In last night's game , the trio bounced the ball back and forth between them about the Master Recreation plan and where and whether tennis courts should be.
Readers may remember the Plan was completed to draft plan stage and referred to the Leisure Services Advisory Committee of the last Council.
From whence it was squirreled away by the Chairperson The Mac of Mormac and friend and campaign supporter of the former Mayor, Ken Whitehurst. He who was involved in the Culture Centre Agreement.
After ten months , the plan re-emerged having been re-written by the doughty chairperson and faithful friend.
It appears the Spirit of Whoosh may still lurk around Ye Old Council Chamber having morphed into three, Gaertner, Gallo and Ballard.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Look What The Wind Blew In
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Let
The Wind Blow Hard..Let The Wind Blow Strong":
Twitter conversation between Cllr Ballard & Era-Banner Editor (it looks like Metroland editorial content will be determined by corporate revenue concerns):
Chris Ballard @Chris4Aurora
Too many Town Council decisions being made that are not fact-based, like awarding our advertising contract. On tonight's agenda.
12h Debora Kelly @dlkyorkeditor
@Chris4Aurora Thanks for your support, professionalism. #Politics, self-aggrandizement trumping sound business decisions. #Aurora
12h Chris Ballard @Chris4Aurora
@dlkyorkeditor Welcome to the New #Aurora Council. Taxpayers be damned, it's now about serving special interests.
12h Debora Kelly @dlkyorkeditor
@Chris4Aurora We'll let our readers/taxpayers know :) .... likely many times before Oct. 27, 2014.
*********************************************
Every time an issue is controversial a great deal of information comes forward
Yesterday Council received an e-mail that revealed the idea of the Notice Board came from The Banner twenty years ago.
The Council of the day bought it and The Banner got the contract. They were the only publication in town
Now there's a new publication. Competition.
A newspaper that targets Aurora's readership and fills its pages with material to that end.
Obviously, revenue is not derived from readership. The newspaper is delivered free.
Equally obviously, revenue is derived from advertising.
A business would not long be in business, if it did not take care of its clients.
Writing stories that reflect negatively against a valuable client
would not likely be advantageous. .
Negative stories , as promised by Deborah Kelly the Banner's Managing Editor to Councillor Ballard, against politicians who chose not to award lucrative contract to The Banner ,would not be a risk.
The former Mayor was in attendance at Council last night. Seated at the press table. Seen locked in conversation with a reporter long after the meeting.
A lucrative contract between media and the political body has always been a concern.
How much influence does the business deal have on objectivity or coverage of news?
Already we are seeing a glimpse in Deborah Kelly's comments.
In the next two years, The Auroran's ability to continue doing the job they've been doing , without allowing the business contract to have an impact, will be their challenge to meet.
We can't claim with any certainty, The Banner's policies were influenced before,
But from Ms Kelly's exchange with Councillor Ballard ,we certainly know how it is intended to be henceforth.
Twitter conversation between Cllr Ballard & Era-Banner Editor (it looks like Metroland editorial content will be determined by corporate revenue concerns):
Chris Ballard @Chris4Aurora
Too many Town Council decisions being made that are not fact-based, like awarding our advertising contract. On tonight's agenda.
12h Debora Kelly @dlkyorkeditor
@Chris4Aurora Thanks for your support, professionalism. #Politics, self-aggrandizement trumping sound business decisions. #Aurora
12h Chris Ballard @Chris4Aurora
@dlkyorkeditor Welcome to the New #Aurora Council. Taxpayers be damned, it's now about serving special interests.
12h Debora Kelly @dlkyorkeditor
@Chris4Aurora We'll let our readers/taxpayers know :) .... likely many times before Oct. 27, 2014.
*********************************************
Every time an issue is controversial a great deal of information comes forward
Yesterday Council received an e-mail that revealed the idea of the Notice Board came from The Banner twenty years ago.
The Council of the day bought it and The Banner got the contract. They were the only publication in town
Now there's a new publication. Competition.
A newspaper that targets Aurora's readership and fills its pages with material to that end.
Obviously, revenue is not derived from readership. The newspaper is delivered free.
Equally obviously, revenue is derived from advertising.
A business would not long be in business, if it did not take care of its clients.
Writing stories that reflect negatively against a valuable client
would not likely be advantageous. .
Negative stories , as promised by Deborah Kelly the Banner's Managing Editor to Councillor Ballard, against politicians who chose not to award lucrative contract to The Banner ,would not be a risk.
The former Mayor was in attendance at Council last night. Seated at the press table. Seen locked in conversation with a reporter long after the meeting.
A lucrative contract between media and the political body has always been a concern.
How much influence does the business deal have on objectivity or coverage of news?
Already we are seeing a glimpse in Deborah Kelly's comments.
In the next two years, The Auroran's ability to continue doing the job they've been doing , without allowing the business contract to have an impact, will be their challenge to meet.
We can't claim with any certainty, The Banner's policies were influenced before,
But from Ms Kelly's exchange with Councillor Ballard ,we certainly know how it is intended to be henceforth.
A Gate Closed
Last week Councillor Gallo accused members ,including myself of "tweeking" numbers to obtain a desired result.
I posted, in the language of rules of order, my "motives had been impugned"
I wrote I might "rise on a question of privilege, addressing the chair, and demand an apology" from said Councillor for insinuating nefarious motives against myself.
Refusal could result in expulsion from the Council Chamber.
The decision was mine to make. I chose not .
Council has a hard enough time getting through the town's business agenda without time taken for extraneous matters.
Last night, the Councillor made a second accusation.
He produced a staff report he claimed had been presented
which disputed a statement made by myself.
What he did not do was acknowledge the report had been withdrawn by staff, because of error, before it could be discussed by Council and after further staff consultation, it was never presented again.
In other words, Council never discussed a request to provide additional funds, in excess of the budget, to complete a double tennis court in the David English park. .
Councillor Gallo wrongly argued the recommendation was made with appearance of documentation to support his claim.
It was not.
As always, I will let my reputation stand.
But a gate just clanged shut.
Public Thinking
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Let
The Wind Blow Hard..Let The Wind Blow Strng":
From Cllr Ballard's Twitter feed:
Chris Ballard @Chris4Aurora
If a Councillor is suing a local business and then argues against giving said company a Town contract, is that a conflict?
***************
If a Councillor worked for a newspaper. Received remuneration from the newspaper and voted to give a contract worth $30,000 to said newspaper, the Councillor would indeed have a conflict of interest. The vote would result in a financial advantage to the Councillor..
The Councillor would have a Conflict of Interest .
The tweeting Councillor has been a member of the elected body for almost two years .The issue of conflict of interest has been discussed many times .
A former Mayor and friend of the Councillor has been charged with a Conflict of Interest.
Court proceedings are ongoing at this time.
Public resources were used to pursue litigation which would, if successful, have netted $6 million dollars to her financial advantage.
This Council's first decision was to cut off the funds to pay the former Mayor's lawyer of choice. But not before $63,000 of public money had been spent.
The tweeting Councillor's vote in that regard is a matter of record.
The Councillor had no doubt then that using public money for personal gain of $6 million dollars was not a conflict of interest.
One of the bonuses of being in public office is the opportunity to watch a person take his thinking out of his head ,or wherever it might be, and lay it out for everyone else to examine.
From Cllr Ballard's Twitter feed:
Chris Ballard @Chris4Aurora
If a Councillor is suing a local business and then argues against giving said company a Town contract, is that a conflict?
***************
If a Councillor worked for a newspaper. Received remuneration from the newspaper and voted to give a contract worth $30,000 to said newspaper, the Councillor would indeed have a conflict of interest. The vote would result in a financial advantage to the Councillor..
The Councillor would have a Conflict of Interest .
The tweeting Councillor has been a member of the elected body for almost two years .The issue of conflict of interest has been discussed many times .
A former Mayor and friend of the Councillor has been charged with a Conflict of Interest.
Court proceedings are ongoing at this time.
Public resources were used to pursue litigation which would, if successful, have netted $6 million dollars to her financial advantage.
This Council's first decision was to cut off the funds to pay the former Mayor's lawyer of choice. But not before $63,000 of public money had been spent.
The tweeting Councillor's vote in that regard is a matter of record.
The Councillor had no doubt then that using public money for personal gain of $6 million dollars was not a conflict of interest.
One of the bonuses of being in public office is the opportunity to watch a person take his thinking out of his head ,or wherever it might be, and lay it out for everyone else to examine.
Let The Wind Blow Hard..Let The Wind Blow Strong
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "For
other uses, see Badger (disambiguation).Badger...":
What was it you said last night at council, something about insinuating comments not being worthy of an elected official? Hmmm...
***********
There is a line between what can be said in a Council meeting and what might be said in a blog.I would have thought that was obvious by now.
The Blog has just passed it's five year anniversary. Five years since the idea came in response to the situation I found myself of being reminded constantly my voice had no relevance in the Council of the day.
If the reader was following the thread of my comments last night ,it would have been obvious the insinuating comments by three Councillors were being made against staff.
In the past, two of those Councillors and others agreed to spend $70,000 of taxpayers money to have a lawyer read blogs, letters to the editor, and listen to utterances in Council meetings, to contrive a spurious complaint to an Integrity Commissioner.
Which complaint was thrown out as "wholly political" among other less commendable descriptive phrases. .
Whereupon the Integrity Commissioner was precipitously stripped of authority given only weeks earlier.
If it were not so serious, it would have been amusing. It was certainly ironic.
During the salivating period of their enthusiasm to get going with Da Code and a Commissioner of Ethics I advised them .their plan might not be all they wished.
They didn't listen then.
They are not listening now.
I doubt anyone expected anything different.
Certainly not myself.
But then... it's hardly my job to cover their exposed extremities. .
What was it you said last night at council, something about insinuating comments not being worthy of an elected official? Hmmm...
***********
There is a line between what can be said in a Council meeting and what might be said in a blog.I would have thought that was obvious by now.
The Blog has just passed it's five year anniversary. Five years since the idea came in response to the situation I found myself of being reminded constantly my voice had no relevance in the Council of the day.
If the reader was following the thread of my comments last night ,it would have been obvious the insinuating comments by three Councillors were being made against staff.
In the past, two of those Councillors and others agreed to spend $70,000 of taxpayers money to have a lawyer read blogs, letters to the editor, and listen to utterances in Council meetings, to contrive a spurious complaint to an Integrity Commissioner.
Which complaint was thrown out as "wholly political" among other less commendable descriptive phrases. .
Whereupon the Integrity Commissioner was precipitously stripped of authority given only weeks earlier.
If it were not so serious, it would have been amusing. It was certainly ironic.
During the salivating period of their enthusiasm to get going with Da Code and a Commissioner of Ethics I advised them .their plan might not be all they wished.
They didn't listen then.
They are not listening now.
I doubt anyone expected anything different.
Certainly not myself.
But then... it's hardly my job to cover their exposed extremities. .
For other uses, see Badger (disambiguation).
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Hmmmm!!!
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
It Made Me Laugh
My finger hovered over the delete button on the reference to Councillor Gallo's hair.
But it made me laugh. I thought it was comically phrased. I can forgive a lot if there is humour.
It made me analyze the comment . I decided it really wasn't hostile or insulting.
Everybody's hair turns grey. If men still have hair, they can change their hair style. That's a bonus.
When people are watching on television, they notice all kinds of things. Some personal.
So I decided to publish. It wasn't. I thought, humour at the Councillor's expense.
It was humour for the sake of it.
Anyway, I've removed it.
It's not a big deal.
But it made me laugh. I thought it was comically phrased. I can forgive a lot if there is humour.
It made me analyze the comment . I decided it really wasn't hostile or insulting.
Everybody's hair turns grey. If men still have hair, they can change their hair style. That's a bonus.
When people are watching on television, they notice all kinds of things. Some personal.
So I decided to publish. It wasn't. I thought, humour at the Councillor's expense.
It was humour for the sake of it.
Anyway, I've removed it.
It's not a big deal.
Monday, 10 September 2012
Heard Right
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Here's
A Couple Of Thoughts":
In the past day or so, I heard that a top by-law enforcement person was no longer doing that job & that Council was not informed. So I will stick a reluctant toe into this dangerous pond & ask just what staff employment Council is responsible for handling. Has it all been handed to top staff people with no input from Council? These are people who work for the town of Aurora. Why are other Staff given the right to deal with their disposition? Who works for whom? Is there a captain on board?
*************
Council is responsible for appointments of the Executive leadership team.
Except for the solicitor. The CAO has authority to choose the solicitor.
Council is not informed when people come and go.
Can't say I am satisfied with the system.
In the last term I heard of someone fired
Didn't hear why. Actually, was refused the why. .
Heard he received sufficient severance to pay off his mortgage and buy a new car and he walked into a new job with better pay in a neighbouring municipality within a month.
Sounded plausible. They guy was a long term employee. Never heard any complaints about him.
In the past day or so, I heard that a top by-law enforcement person was no longer doing that job & that Council was not informed. So I will stick a reluctant toe into this dangerous pond & ask just what staff employment Council is responsible for handling. Has it all been handed to top staff people with no input from Council? These are people who work for the town of Aurora. Why are other Staff given the right to deal with their disposition? Who works for whom? Is there a captain on board?
*************
Council is responsible for appointments of the Executive leadership team.
Except for the solicitor. The CAO has authority to choose the solicitor.
Council is not informed when people come and go.
Can't say I am satisfied with the system.
In the last term I heard of someone fired
Didn't hear why. Actually, was refused the why. .
Heard he received sufficient severance to pay off his mortgage and buy a new car and he walked into a new job with better pay in a neighbouring municipality within a month.
Sounded plausible. They guy was a long term employee. Never heard any complaints about him.
And The Beat Goes On
E. I suspect you are getting some heat about comments being made about staff and Councillors on your Blog. May I point out that from what I
have seen everyone is being very careful to deal with available
information.
***********
No, I am not getting heat about comments on the blog but I understand why you might think so.
The fact is the system sets Councillors and staff on a head-long collision course.
Recommendations from the Executive Leadership Team are placed directly before Council and signed by department director and chief administrative officer.
Council's role is to examine recommendations from every angle, issue challenges if there are any, and let the chips fall where they may.
If it is not our role, we have none.
We have a CAO,Clerk,Solicitor, Directors of Public Works,
Finance,Recreation,Building and Planning.
All are on the sunshine list representing in excess of a million million dollars a year expenditure .
That kind of money means real wealth from public coffers. Appointments are made by bylaw, within authority of Council. Although that has not always happened.
Councillors are elected with individual accountability.
Onus is upon each member to give an account of themselves and stand up to challenges present.
Councillor Pirri and Mayor Dawe, supported by a majority are of the opinion that, despite significant obstacles, Council and staff should , with all our accoutrements, be schlepped to two high schools one in September and one in October for enlightenment of youth.
To stimulate interest in public affairs.
I fear the opposite.
I have dubbed the idea nonsensical, idiotic, ridiculous. and one other derogatory adjective that escapes me at the moment. Rhythm required a fourth.
I did not refer to either member in those terms.
The same process applies to staff.
Recommendations are subject to Council scrutiny. If reason and common sense fail, it is not my place to pretend to be satisfied. Or to beat around the bush
It' s not about tip-toeing through the tulips. .
It's about looking after the public interest as I am sworn to do.
I like doing it. I 'm good at it.
But I'll tell you what I don't like;
When I take a strong and certain position, I do not appreciate being hastily followed by another Councillor with unctuous words about the wonderful job staff are doing and how well they are appreciated. Like nothing I have said has any merit whatsoever.
By Jove, at that point, I am severely tempted.
|
A Weird And Wonderful Week
Tuesday night we had Council in Committee. I stayed up until five a.m., watching and listening to a replay of the speeches at the Democratic National Convention.
Wednesday there were more speeches that I couldn't possibly miss
Thursday and Friday I had some stuff to do for myself.
Thursday night, more speeches culminated with the President's nomination acceptance speech.
I can't help it. To me, we are watching history in the making.
I've listened to many memorable speeches in my life..
In the history of the world, I think there is no office more important or times more fraught with danger and difficulty than now, and the office of the President of the United States of America.
I watched with horrid fascination the talking heads of the media as they indulge their propensity for expertise in all things.
From seats on the sidelines, they know with never a doubt but without actual experience, exactly what should and should not be said in order to manage minds.
I managed to get a couple of blogs written . But I didn't get my notice of motion re-written and forwarded to the Clerk's office in time to be included in this week's agenda.
I did that yesterday and circulated it to Council members. I will e-mail the clerk this morning and ask for it to be included as an add-on to the agenda with a request for waiver of the Procedure Bylaw to allow it to be received.
If a delegation can seek privilege to appear until 4 p.m. on a Monday afternoon, I think a notice of motion to be received is not an unreasonable request. .
It's an interesting Agenda.There are fifteen items .
Four are memorandums from the Mayor. Two from Councillor Gaertner.
Five items are from the August 15th meeting. One of them ,a
memorandum from Councillor Gaertner, is a copy of a resolution from the Town of Markham prohibiting the keeping of African Dwarf frogs within their boundaries.
Perhaps my notice of motion to provide a means and opportunity for public facilities to be used for the purpose of an entertainment festival during the 2013 August long week-end ,by inviting expressions of interest from local organisations, could be slipped in there somewhere without upsetting anyone's apple cart.
Wednesday there were more speeches that I couldn't possibly miss
Thursday and Friday I had some stuff to do for myself.
Thursday night, more speeches culminated with the President's nomination acceptance speech.
I can't help it. To me, we are watching history in the making.
I've listened to many memorable speeches in my life..
In the history of the world, I think there is no office more important or times more fraught with danger and difficulty than now, and the office of the President of the United States of America.
I watched with horrid fascination the talking heads of the media as they indulge their propensity for expertise in all things.
From seats on the sidelines, they know with never a doubt but without actual experience, exactly what should and should not be said in order to manage minds.
I managed to get a couple of blogs written . But I didn't get my notice of motion re-written and forwarded to the Clerk's office in time to be included in this week's agenda.
I did that yesterday and circulated it to Council members. I will e-mail the clerk this morning and ask for it to be included as an add-on to the agenda with a request for waiver of the Procedure Bylaw to allow it to be received.
If a delegation can seek privilege to appear until 4 p.m. on a Monday afternoon, I think a notice of motion to be received is not an unreasonable request. .
It's an interesting Agenda.There are fifteen items .
Four are memorandums from the Mayor. Two from Councillor Gaertner.
Five items are from the August 15th meeting. One of them ,a
memorandum from Councillor Gaertner, is a copy of a resolution from the Town of Markham prohibiting the keeping of African Dwarf frogs within their boundaries.
Perhaps my notice of motion to provide a means and opportunity for public facilities to be used for the purpose of an entertainment festival during the 2013 August long week-end ,by inviting expressions of interest from local organisations, could be slipped in there somewhere without upsetting anyone's apple cart.
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Here's A Couple Of Thoughts
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The
THings One Hears":
Here's something I heard: all full-time Town staff members received vouchers for free meals to be used at the Ribfest yesterday.
*****************
I don't know about staff but Councillors received a voucher.
Doesn't mean it will be used. What if it is? Does it mean the price of a man's soul is a pottage of ribs, on a paper plate, served outdoors in the rain?
I hear attendance figures for Friday hovered around seven thousand . The music was spectacular . And the Rotary Club, operating the beer garden worked hard keeping the libations flowing and earning revenue to fullfil their mission.
***************
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "I Had A Call": Excuse me, please. Staff have ' now' discovered that the ' audited readership ' was flawed? NOW ? And they want to continue to advise on the same subject? After failing to provide accurate information? Boggles.
*************
"Audited readership" for which The Banner received 15 points the Auroran didn't, was not necessarily flawed. It was done in 2010. Two years ago. Not current. Not relevant .
Credited by staff nevertheless
Information learned by the CAO from comments heard during last week's council discussion and cited in his report to be considered on Tuesday, is a startling revelation.
The Banner distribution includes all of Newmarket and East Gwillimbury. .Apparently, for the purpose of their "proposal" they did not separate out Aurora circulation.
Since Metroland acquired the two newspapers , at least two decades ago, distribution has always included the three municipalities for the amalgamated publication.
Aurora staff have apparently not been aware of that fact. How can that be?
An occasional scan reveals the obvious.
Since the last contract was signed, the name changed to The Banner from The Era/Banner .
Section B of the publication which includes the Aurora Notice Board is entitled Aurora Banner. The names change nothing.
If salient facts about one publication were not understood, why should we expect awareness of the differences between the two?
The situation allows me to put flesh on the bones of a long simmering sense of unease about our affairs.
I've said it before. Our town has become a mini-satellite of the Region. More of our staff are former regional staff.
The executive leadership does not live in Town
Nor have they since the 2003/6 term of office.
How can they have a sense of the community they serve?
How can they know what they do not know?
I asked the question when the "Customer Service Plan" was recommended and adopted;
I am a Councillor. In the front line. Why am I not aware (at that time) of problems with customer service?
The answer ;
Newmarket and Whitchurch-Stouffville have adopted the plan.
The problem is exacerbated by those on council's side of the table, equally lacking in community awareness.
Labour law, does not allow discrimination against a job applicant on the basis of domicile.Neither should it.
Recruitment restricted to a small area, for a position requiring specialty skills would be useless. .
Still, I think not living within the community one serves is a disadvantage.
Failure to recognise obvious and major differences between two local publications being assessed for a municipal contract a perfect example.
The community is appalled.
Professional advice falls into disrepute
Confidence in our institution of government falters.
The wounds are self-inflicted.
Here's something I heard: all full-time Town staff members received vouchers for free meals to be used at the Ribfest yesterday.
*****************
I don't know about staff but Councillors received a voucher.
Doesn't mean it will be used. What if it is? Does it mean the price of a man's soul is a pottage of ribs, on a paper plate, served outdoors in the rain?
I hear attendance figures for Friday hovered around seven thousand . The music was spectacular . And the Rotary Club, operating the beer garden worked hard keeping the libations flowing and earning revenue to fullfil their mission.
***************
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "I Had A Call": Excuse me, please. Staff have ' now' discovered that the ' audited readership ' was flawed? NOW ? And they want to continue to advise on the same subject? After failing to provide accurate information? Boggles.
*************
"Audited readership" for which The Banner received 15 points the Auroran didn't, was not necessarily flawed. It was done in 2010. Two years ago. Not current. Not relevant .
Credited by staff nevertheless
Information learned by the CAO from comments heard during last week's council discussion and cited in his report to be considered on Tuesday, is a startling revelation.
The Banner distribution includes all of Newmarket and East Gwillimbury. .Apparently, for the purpose of their "proposal" they did not separate out Aurora circulation.
Since Metroland acquired the two newspapers , at least two decades ago, distribution has always included the three municipalities for the amalgamated publication.
Aurora staff have apparently not been aware of that fact. How can that be?
An occasional scan reveals the obvious.
Since the last contract was signed, the name changed to The Banner from The Era/Banner .
Section B of the publication which includes the Aurora Notice Board is entitled Aurora Banner. The names change nothing.
If salient facts about one publication were not understood, why should we expect awareness of the differences between the two?
The situation allows me to put flesh on the bones of a long simmering sense of unease about our affairs.
I've said it before. Our town has become a mini-satellite of the Region. More of our staff are former regional staff.
The executive leadership does not live in Town
Nor have they since the 2003/6 term of office.
How can they have a sense of the community they serve?
How can they know what they do not know?
I asked the question when the "Customer Service Plan" was recommended and adopted;
I am a Councillor. In the front line. Why am I not aware (at that time) of problems with customer service?
The answer ;
Newmarket and Whitchurch-Stouffville have adopted the plan.
The problem is exacerbated by those on council's side of the table, equally lacking in community awareness.
Labour law, does not allow discrimination against a job applicant on the basis of domicile.Neither should it.
Recruitment restricted to a small area, for a position requiring specialty skills would be useless. .
Still, I think not living within the community one serves is a disadvantage.
Failure to recognise obvious and major differences between two local publications being assessed for a municipal contract a perfect example.
The community is appalled.
Professional advice falls into disrepute
Confidence in our institution of government falters.
The wounds are self-inflicted.
Saturday, 8 September 2012
Councillors Are Not Alone At The Trough
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The
Things One Hears":
Yup. And All councillors pay to attend events at the Centre. NOT.
*************
Councillor are not the only ones who do not pay to attend events at the Centre. But they are the ones who provide the means so that no-one else pays either.
A rent-free facility is provided. All maintenance costs are paid; close to $150,000 a year by now.
And we purchase cultural services for the enjoyment of residents and whoever else wants to enjoy the freebies. .
The Culture Centre Board , receives at a rate that increases by 3% per year , close to half a million follars to provide culture, free of charge to all comers.
Tally that up; no rent, no amortization,no maintenance and a slush fund handed over to spend as they will, and we are contemplating little less than a million a year cost to the public treasury.
Not as much as a by-your-leave was sought from the taxpayers before that sweet deal was written up.
Yup. And All councillors pay to attend events at the Centre. NOT.
*************
Councillor are not the only ones who do not pay to attend events at the Centre. But they are the ones who provide the means so that no-one else pays either.
A rent-free facility is provided. All maintenance costs are paid; close to $150,000 a year by now.
And we purchase cultural services for the enjoyment of residents and whoever else wants to enjoy the freebies. .
The Culture Centre Board , receives at a rate that increases by 3% per year , close to half a million follars to provide culture, free of charge to all comers.
Tally that up; no rent, no amortization,no maintenance and a slush fund handed over to spend as they will, and we are contemplating little less than a million a year cost to the public treasury.
Not as much as a by-your-leave was sought from the taxpayers before that sweet deal was written up.
I Had A Call
I received a phone call last evening, before The Agenda for Tuesday's Council meeting.
What is the meaning of Item 2? my caller wished me to explain.
The item deals with Tuesday's decision in committee to award the Notice Board contract to The Auroran.
Staff had recommended the contract be awarded to The Banner.
After a debate of almost two hours , covering every aspect of the question;with all Councillors participating;on the basis of information provided by staff and other aspects, a majority decided the contract should be awarded to The Auroran.
One might call it a fine example of open, transparent and vigorous government. No holds barred. Strong convictions articulated.
The staff case rested on a "readership audit" carried out by a third party on behalf of The Banner.
It was noted in the debate the "readership audit" was two years out of date
The Banner's bid was not advanced by the "audit"
In the scoring, The Auroran lost points because it had no "readership audit"
Staff have now discovered a new factor, the "audited readership" provided two years ago by The Era? Banner did not break out Aurora readership from Aurora/Newmarket circulation of the paper with East Gwillimbury in there as well.
The upcoming Agenda contains a Report from the CAO with the following recommendation .
That Council not adopt the September 4th 2012 General Committee recommendation to award the Notice Board RFP to the Auroran.:
That Council cancel the Notice Board RFP; and
That Council provide direction to staff regarding publication of the Notice Board.
The Purpose of the report is to provide Council with an update on the Notice Board Request for proposal (RFP) after taking into consideration the comments made at the General Committee meeting.
The alternative to the recommendation is for Council to direct staff to negotiate terms of reference of a sole source contract , to the satisfaction of the Chief Administrative Officer , with a local newspaper for the publication of the Town's Notice Board and authorize the Mayor and Town Clerk to execute such an agreement.
In other words, pretend everything that happened on Tuesday didn't;that the staff recommendation failed;that, after a full and comprehensive debate, and discovering for ourselves what needed to be considered, a clear motion moved and duly seconded, decided the question with a majority of five votes.
Now we are being advised to strip ourselves of authority to make the decision and hand it over to staff.
This after a prior recommendation by staff failed for lack of validity.
We did what we needed to do. We exercised our judgement.
A decision made in Committee must be ratified in Council.
It is an opportunity for sober second thought.
If a motion passed in committee needs more work, the opportunity is there to clarify the intent.
Since the Notice Board was established, Council has authorised the contract.
It has always gone to The Era-Banner, for the simple reason, it was the only publication available.
Times have changed. Gotten better.
A second publication is capable of providing the service.
This is the year a majority of Council decided to make the change.
It is not the year to strip ourselves of our authority.
Why would we even think of such a thing?
What is the meaning of Item 2? my caller wished me to explain.
The item deals with Tuesday's decision in committee to award the Notice Board contract to The Auroran.
Staff had recommended the contract be awarded to The Banner.
After a debate of almost two hours , covering every aspect of the question;with all Councillors participating;on the basis of information provided by staff and other aspects, a majority decided the contract should be awarded to The Auroran.
One might call it a fine example of open, transparent and vigorous government. No holds barred. Strong convictions articulated.
The staff case rested on a "readership audit" carried out by a third party on behalf of The Banner.
It was noted in the debate the "readership audit" was two years out of date
The Banner's bid was not advanced by the "audit"
In the scoring, The Auroran lost points because it had no "readership audit"
Staff have now discovered a new factor, the "audited readership" provided two years ago by The Era? Banner did not break out Aurora readership from Aurora/Newmarket circulation of the paper with East Gwillimbury in there as well.
The upcoming Agenda contains a Report from the CAO with the following recommendation .
That Council not adopt the September 4th 2012 General Committee recommendation to award the Notice Board RFP to the Auroran.:
That Council cancel the Notice Board RFP; and
That Council provide direction to staff regarding publication of the Notice Board.
The Purpose of the report is to provide Council with an update on the Notice Board Request for proposal (RFP) after taking into consideration the comments made at the General Committee meeting.
The alternative to the recommendation is for Council to direct staff to negotiate terms of reference of a sole source contract , to the satisfaction of the Chief Administrative Officer , with a local newspaper for the publication of the Town's Notice Board and authorize the Mayor and Town Clerk to execute such an agreement.
In other words, pretend everything that happened on Tuesday didn't;that the staff recommendation failed;that, after a full and comprehensive debate, and discovering for ourselves what needed to be considered, a clear motion moved and duly seconded, decided the question with a majority of five votes.
Now we are being advised to strip ourselves of authority to make the decision and hand it over to staff.
This after a prior recommendation by staff failed for lack of validity.
We did what we needed to do. We exercised our judgement.
A decision made in Committee must be ratified in Council.
It is an opportunity for sober second thought.
If a motion passed in committee needs more work, the opportunity is there to clarify the intent.
Since the Notice Board was established, Council has authorised the contract.
It has always gone to The Era-Banner, for the simple reason, it was the only publication available.
Times have changed. Gotten better.
A second publication is capable of providing the service.
This is the year a majority of Council decided to make the change.
It is not the year to strip ourselves of our authority.
Why would we even think of such a thing?
An Expression Of Interest
Ladies and gentlemen of the Council of the Town of Aurora:
I would like to add my voice to those of others who are urging that Council decide to place the Town of Aurora Notice Board in The Auroran.
For years I have clipped from local (and other) newspapers articles which I feel might be of long-term interest to those with either a general interest in or a need to know the history of our community. I did this first as curator of the former Aurora Museum and now as a volunteer for the Aurora Historical Society.
Since the week it was first published the Auroran has contributed far more to these local history files than has the Era-Banner. I should add that the fact that these bulging file drawers are known as "local history files" does not not mean that the contents are are only mini-histories of this or that: they contain in much greater numbers reports of the events and issues of the day, whatever they may be. These are the materials which will contribute to the compiled histories of the future.
For generations the Aurora Banner was the "go-to" newspaper for local news. In a way, I wish it were still: a researcher of the future could sit down with this one paper, confident that most of what was to be reported about a matter could be found there--just as one might go to the Toronto Star for a record of Toronto, or the Globe and Mail for a record of the nation. But for myself, both personally and as the demon clipper, the Auroran has taken over. And that means that when I turn to my truly local newspaper for news I want to find the Town's notice board there, too.
I urge you to take whatever action is needed to move the Town of Aurora Notice Board to our local paper, The Auroran.
I would like to add my voice to those of others who are urging that Council decide to place the Town of Aurora Notice Board in The Auroran.
For years I have clipped from local (and other) newspapers articles which I feel might be of long-term interest to those with either a general interest in or a need to know the history of our community. I did this first as curator of the former Aurora Museum and now as a volunteer for the Aurora Historical Society.
Since the week it was first published the Auroran has contributed far more to these local history files than has the Era-Banner. I should add that the fact that these bulging file drawers are known as "local history files" does not not mean that the contents are are only mini-histories of this or that: they contain in much greater numbers reports of the events and issues of the day, whatever they may be. These are the materials which will contribute to the compiled histories of the future.
For generations the Aurora Banner was the "go-to" newspaper for local news. In a way, I wish it were still: a researcher of the future could sit down with this one paper, confident that most of what was to be reported about a matter could be found there--just as one might go to the Toronto Star for a record of Toronto, or the Globe and Mail for a record of the nation. But for myself, both personally and as the demon clipper, the Auroran has taken over. And that means that when I turn to my truly local newspaper for news I want to find the Town's notice board there, too.
I urge you to take whatever action is needed to move the Town of Aurora Notice Board to our local paper, The Auroran.
The Things One Hears
Early this term, I was informed the relatively new Manager of Bylaws had been seen playing golf on a work day at Stronach's
private exclusive golf club.
I sent an e-mail inquiring if the manager was playing golf on his own time or the town's time.
I received a response from the Mayor. The manager was playing by invitation. as his guest. at the exclusive private club.
No response was provided to the question. Was he playing on his own time or was the town paying for the time he was spending on the golf course?
As a taxpayer, it's not my idea of productive use of public resources. It's not what I expect.
The concept is foreign to me.
I take exception to the idea that the idea should be agreeable to me. Or the people I represent.
A bylaw manager is subject to the authority of a couple of levels within the administration.
It might be reasonable therefore to assume absence from the job for that purpose might have received approval. .
Just as it was apparent the Mayor found the practice acceptable. Whether he thought it was a good use of public resources is not so clear.
Council has just been notified of the appointment of a new bylaw manager.
Apparently the last manager was seldom seen on the job.
Council has nothing to do with staff appointments at that level.
We have no way of knowing therefore if the occasional game of golf on a work day, with the Head of the Municipality at an exclusive golf club is considered one of the perks of the job.
No doubt I will be informed if the pattern is repeated.
private exclusive golf club.
I sent an e-mail inquiring if the manager was playing golf on his own time or the town's time.
I received a response from the Mayor. The manager was playing by invitation. as his guest. at the exclusive private club.
No response was provided to the question. Was he playing on his own time or was the town paying for the time he was spending on the golf course?
As a taxpayer, it's not my idea of productive use of public resources. It's not what I expect.
The concept is foreign to me.
I take exception to the idea that the idea should be agreeable to me. Or the people I represent.
A bylaw manager is subject to the authority of a couple of levels within the administration.
It might be reasonable therefore to assume absence from the job for that purpose might have received approval. .
Just as it was apparent the Mayor found the practice acceptable. Whether he thought it was a good use of public resources is not so clear.
Council has just been notified of the appointment of a new bylaw manager.
Apparently the last manager was seldom seen on the job.
Council has nothing to do with staff appointments at that level.
We have no way of knowing therefore if the occasional game of golf on a work day, with the Head of the Municipality at an exclusive golf club is considered one of the perks of the job.
No doubt I will be informed if the pattern is repeated.
Friday, 7 September 2012
Judgement Versus Rigid Formula
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "When
Is A Publication Not a Local Newspaper?":
The Town's Executive Leadership Team
Gotta love the big titles these people prefer. It is quite obvious that this particular lot of words is used to disguise exactly which individual or department is making the proposal. Wonder exactly who is determined that the Banner contract should be renewed and that staff have the additional authority to extend it a further 2 years. It means less work for Staff but makes no sense from a practical/ economic point of view.
Can't think of a single Councillor who would try to make a case for renewal of that contract. And that's probably a First.
*********
Before the grand title , the name was Management team.
That was before Mormac.
When volunteers were elevated to prime status and Council was reduced to nonentity.
It's much the same today.
And as long as Council does not work as one that's how it's going to stay.
The issue of the Notice Board contract has been contentious for some time.
Still, staff drew up a list of criteria without consulting Council.
Their recommendation came forward and was rejected.
But not by all.
Those who chose to accept the recommendation suggested those who did, were "tweaking" numbers to serve their own purpose.
The manager of communications was charged with responsibility for the contract and making the recommendation.
Council is under no obligation to accept a staff recommendation.
Ours is the decision-making authority.
A rigid formula of awarding points for arbitrary factors are a modern option for exercising judgement.
So many points for this and so many for that.
The Auroran lost on the points accorded to a readership survey.
They didn't present one. There wasn't time.
The Chief Administrator said the survey would carry greater weight if it was carried out by an outside source rather than an internal audit.
For audit, read survey.
The problem with according points to the Banner for their survey was, their "readership audit" was done in 2010..
Points were given for design of the Notice Board.
No points for readership content.
On any given week of the year, the two publications could be placed together and determined at a glance to be no contest for readership content.
A newspaper is essentially an advertising business.
News stories are the enticement to readers to open the pages and be exposed to the advertising.
When Metroland purchased every local newspaper in York Region, they created a monopoly.
When small local newspapers became possible again by the advent of computers, Metrolands monopoly was broken. But their style did not change. They printed little they weren't paid for.
They took everything and gave nothing.
The Town of Aurora is a business corporation.
We are charged with the responsibility of getting the best value for money spent.
When we publish a Notice Board to keep people informed, we need to be assured they will read what we have published.
We need to know news stories will entice readers to open the pages and be exposed to the town's Notice Board. we are paying to present.
Neither the design of the feature , nor a two year out -of -date
readership summary persuades me that will happen.
The same price , a larger circulation and blanket news content in one newspaper and none in the other is what clinches my decision.
I think, a Councillor who chooses a non-relevant formula and out- of- date data and a lack of enticement, is not exercising due diligence of their office.
They are not tweaking anything. Including the muscle between their ears.
The Town's Executive Leadership Team
Gotta love the big titles these people prefer. It is quite obvious that this particular lot of words is used to disguise exactly which individual or department is making the proposal. Wonder exactly who is determined that the Banner contract should be renewed and that staff have the additional authority to extend it a further 2 years. It means less work for Staff but makes no sense from a practical/ economic point of view.
Can't think of a single Councillor who would try to make a case for renewal of that contract. And that's probably a First.
*********
Before the grand title , the name was Management team.
That was before Mormac.
When volunteers were elevated to prime status and Council was reduced to nonentity.
It's much the same today.
And as long as Council does not work as one that's how it's going to stay.
The issue of the Notice Board contract has been contentious for some time.
Still, staff drew up a list of criteria without consulting Council.
Their recommendation came forward and was rejected.
But not by all.
Those who chose to accept the recommendation suggested those who did, were "tweaking" numbers to serve their own purpose.
The manager of communications was charged with responsibility for the contract and making the recommendation.
Council is under no obligation to accept a staff recommendation.
Ours is the decision-making authority.
A rigid formula of awarding points for arbitrary factors are a modern option for exercising judgement.
So many points for this and so many for that.
The Auroran lost on the points accorded to a readership survey.
They didn't present one. There wasn't time.
The Chief Administrator said the survey would carry greater weight if it was carried out by an outside source rather than an internal audit.
For audit, read survey.
The problem with according points to the Banner for their survey was, their "readership audit" was done in 2010..
Points were given for design of the Notice Board.
No points for readership content.
On any given week of the year, the two publications could be placed together and determined at a glance to be no contest for readership content.
A newspaper is essentially an advertising business.
News stories are the enticement to readers to open the pages and be exposed to the advertising.
When Metroland purchased every local newspaper in York Region, they created a monopoly.
When small local newspapers became possible again by the advent of computers, Metrolands monopoly was broken. But their style did not change. They printed little they weren't paid for.
They took everything and gave nothing.
The Town of Aurora is a business corporation.
We are charged with the responsibility of getting the best value for money spent.
When we publish a Notice Board to keep people informed, we need to be assured they will read what we have published.
We need to know news stories will entice readers to open the pages and be exposed to the town's Notice Board. we are paying to present.
Neither the design of the feature , nor a two year out -of -date
readership summary persuades me that will happen.
The same price , a larger circulation and blanket news content in one newspaper and none in the other is what clinches my decision.
I think, a Councillor who chooses a non-relevant formula and out- of- date data and a lack of enticement, is not exercising due diligence of their office.
They are not tweaking anything. Including the muscle between their ears.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Not Everyone Is So Fortunate
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "When
Is A Publication Not a Local Newspaper?":
"I envy anyone that finds the state of their neighbour's lawn to be cause for concern or a source of frustration. You are living a very fortunate life, indeed."
Perhaps you are one of those that takes no pride in their own lawn. I don't consider myself fortunate at all.
I work hard to pull weeds, cut the grass and make the lawn healthy with a continuous maze of new regulations. The look of the lawn compliments the house and makes the value (perceived or in reality) higher. Then you have neighbours that do not share the same priority - hell they don't even come outside except to get into their cars. Their lawns look like crap, their weeds propogate onto your lawn and soon you cannot keep up. Now, my property value is in the dumper.
What happened to community standards?
*****************
Maybe, you are envied because you are fortunate enough to have a lawn to care about.
"I envy anyone that finds the state of their neighbour's lawn to be cause for concern or a source of frustration. You are living a very fortunate life, indeed."
Perhaps you are one of those that takes no pride in their own lawn. I don't consider myself fortunate at all.
I work hard to pull weeds, cut the grass and make the lawn healthy with a continuous maze of new regulations. The look of the lawn compliments the house and makes the value (perceived or in reality) higher. Then you have neighbours that do not share the same priority - hell they don't even come outside except to get into their cars. Their lawns look like crap, their weeds propogate onto your lawn and soon you cannot keep up. Now, my property value is in the dumper.
What happened to community standards?
*****************
Maybe, you are envied because you are fortunate enough to have a lawn to care about.
Work Is Required On The Rules
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "About The
Rules":
So why do you expect Gallo and Ballard to understand and uphold the Rules of Procedure?
Surely you are no longer surprised.
******************
I think most Councillors want to feel and be seen to be competent with the rules. Especially in the spotlight of presiding where there's a distinct possibility of making an absolute fool of oneself.
I haven't seen anyone try to harass a presiding member.
Unless we count Councillor Gaertner, who really doesn't frighten anyone.
It's a long time since we have had an experienced and competent chairperson. A lot depends on the goodwill of Council
There is reciprocation, Learning how to function within the rules happens completely under firm, competent and fair guidance from the chair.
If the Chair hasn't got it, the Council won't get it.
Nowadays ,new Councillors go off to workshops provided by redundant municipal public servants , who hire themselves out as consultants and write expert books about something they never did..
The newbies come back confident they know everything they need to know and more.
They even feel sufficiently endowed to suggest improvements to rules that have been honed to time-worn excellence from hundreds of years of usage.
If they concentrated on gaining proficiency in age- old, tried and true existing rules, they might be able to recognise where improvements could be made to meet the exigencies.
The current Procedure Bylaw is not meeting our needs in many ways.
We messed with it in the last review.
Made it even worse than it was under the Banana Republic of the Mormac administration.
So why do you expect Gallo and Ballard to understand and uphold the Rules of Procedure?
Surely you are no longer surprised.
******************
I think most Councillors want to feel and be seen to be competent with the rules. Especially in the spotlight of presiding where there's a distinct possibility of making an absolute fool of oneself.
I haven't seen anyone try to harass a presiding member.
Unless we count Councillor Gaertner, who really doesn't frighten anyone.
It's a long time since we have had an experienced and competent chairperson. A lot depends on the goodwill of Council
There is reciprocation, Learning how to function within the rules happens completely under firm, competent and fair guidance from the chair.
If the Chair hasn't got it, the Council won't get it.
Nowadays ,new Councillors go off to workshops provided by redundant municipal public servants , who hire themselves out as consultants and write expert books about something they never did..
The newbies come back confident they know everything they need to know and more.
They even feel sufficiently endowed to suggest improvements to rules that have been honed to time-worn excellence from hundreds of years of usage.
If they concentrated on gaining proficiency in age- old, tried and true existing rules, they might be able to recognise where improvements could be made to meet the exigencies.
The current Procedure Bylaw is not meeting our needs in many ways.
We messed with it in the last review.
Made it even worse than it was under the Banana Republic of the Mormac administration.
The Notice Board Contract
Council voted to recommend to Council, the contract for the Notice Board be awarded to The Auroran.
The staff recommendation was not accepted .
The debate took a couple of hours. Several resolutions were put forward and failed to gain sufficient votes.
The final vote was five to four and based on information before us.
The Aurora has a higher circulation. The price was equal within a fraction of a percentage. The Banner's "Readership Audit" was two years out of date and that balanced off the fact the Auroran didn't have one.All other aspects were equal.
Various compromises were proposed. Councillor Pirri moved we give both newspapers a contract and double the cost from $30. to $60,000. That got a seconder but not enough votes.
The Mayor moved a deferral for eight weeks to allow time for a readership audit. I seconded that as a compromise, but it didn't fly.
Councillor Gallo suggested we were trying to tweak the numbers to get the result we wanted.
He impugned our motives. That is against the rules.
I may "rise on a question of privilege" or not.
The Councillor moved the staff recommendation, it didn't pass.
The Mayor moved extension of the existing contract until the 2013 budget is approved. Probably nine months from now.
In effect it would be the same as the resolution just defeated.
Councillor Abel moved and I seconded the Auroran be awarded the contract.
A friendly amendment requested the Aurora to carry out a readership survey.
And that carried as well as the main motion.
The vote was five to four. Councillor Pirri,Gallo,Gaertner and Ballard opposed.
Next step is for the recommendation of Council in Committee to be approved at Council next Tuesday.
Now is the time for people to influence the decision by letting Councillors know you support their decision.
Don't bother telling me I should vote to double the cost of the service.
When it comes to spending mine or other people's money, the only thing that drives me, is value for the dollar.
The staff recommendation was not accepted .
The debate took a couple of hours. Several resolutions were put forward and failed to gain sufficient votes.
The final vote was five to four and based on information before us.
The Aurora has a higher circulation. The price was equal within a fraction of a percentage. The Banner's "Readership Audit" was two years out of date and that balanced off the fact the Auroran didn't have one.All other aspects were equal.
Various compromises were proposed. Councillor Pirri moved we give both newspapers a contract and double the cost from $30. to $60,000. That got a seconder but not enough votes.
The Mayor moved a deferral for eight weeks to allow time for a readership audit. I seconded that as a compromise, but it didn't fly.
Councillor Gallo suggested we were trying to tweak the numbers to get the result we wanted.
He impugned our motives. That is against the rules.
I may "rise on a question of privilege" or not.
The Councillor moved the staff recommendation, it didn't pass.
The Mayor moved extension of the existing contract until the 2013 budget is approved. Probably nine months from now.
In effect it would be the same as the resolution just defeated.
Councillor Abel moved and I seconded the Auroran be awarded the contract.
A friendly amendment requested the Aurora to carry out a readership survey.
And that carried as well as the main motion.
The vote was five to four. Councillor Pirri,Gallo,Gaertner and Ballard opposed.
Next step is for the recommendation of Council in Committee to be approved at Council next Tuesday.
Now is the time for people to influence the decision by letting Councillors know you support their decision.
Don't bother telling me I should vote to double the cost of the service.
When it comes to spending mine or other people's money, the only thing that drives me, is value for the dollar.
About The Rules
Last night's agenda for the Council-in-Committee meeting was completed and ended exactly at the hour of adjournment.
First in months.
Councillor Ballard was in the chair. There was no rancour. Which is not to say the meeting was entirely smooth..
At one point, I had the floor. Rules state a member who is recognised by the chair and has the floor "shall speak without interruption".
The rule is essential. Interruptions throw a speaker off stride.
Councillor Gallo interrupted. He said' "on a point of order". But it wasn't.
Councillor Gallo disagreed with the point I was making or how I was making it and simply decided to interrupt.
The problem was exacerbated by the Ruling of the Chair.
The non-point of order was upheld.
Well, you know, rules of order are at one and the same time, simple and complex .
Everyone is responsible for respecting and maintaining the rules. Or no-one is bound by them.
Mutual agreement and unanimous commitment is essential for the Rules to prevail.
They can't be imposed. They must be observed.
Microphones can be shut off. Voices can rise. Tempers can be explode and objects can fly though the air as if by their own volition.
Mayhem can ensue if a council fails to uphold the same set of rules.
I used to have a clear and distinct impression of a particular Councillor zoom in an upward trajectory on a broom , swoosh three times around the vaulted ceiling like a hot air missile before coming back to rest at the table.
Whereupon the presiding member would direct myself to apologize to the Councillor for her behavior
Like that was going to happen.
But it ended up in a phoney- baloney code of conduct and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars being spent on legal fees
Cutting-off a Councillor, with a mission to speak, in mid-sentence
on a point of order that is no more than disagreement with what the councillor is saying, is an act fraught with potential risk.
I know the rules. I respect them. I believe they are the essence of orderly conduct.
They are not tools to disrupt a speaker's thought process. To quell a particular perspective. To undermine an argument. To create disorder where intended.
Rules abused are impediments to order and good will.
First in months.
Councillor Ballard was in the chair. There was no rancour. Which is not to say the meeting was entirely smooth..
At one point, I had the floor. Rules state a member who is recognised by the chair and has the floor "shall speak without interruption".
The rule is essential. Interruptions throw a speaker off stride.
Councillor Gallo interrupted. He said' "on a point of order". But it wasn't.
Councillor Gallo disagreed with the point I was making or how I was making it and simply decided to interrupt.
The problem was exacerbated by the Ruling of the Chair.
The non-point of order was upheld.
Well, you know, rules of order are at one and the same time, simple and complex .
Everyone is responsible for respecting and maintaining the rules. Or no-one is bound by them.
Mutual agreement and unanimous commitment is essential for the Rules to prevail.
They can't be imposed. They must be observed.
Microphones can be shut off. Voices can rise. Tempers can be explode and objects can fly though the air as if by their own volition.
Mayhem can ensue if a council fails to uphold the same set of rules.
I used to have a clear and distinct impression of a particular Councillor zoom in an upward trajectory on a broom , swoosh three times around the vaulted ceiling like a hot air missile before coming back to rest at the table.
Whereupon the presiding member would direct myself to apologize to the Councillor for her behavior
Like that was going to happen.
But it ended up in a phoney- baloney code of conduct and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars being spent on legal fees
Cutting-off a Councillor, with a mission to speak, in mid-sentence
on a point of order that is no more than disagreement with what the councillor is saying, is an act fraught with potential risk.
I know the rules. I respect them. I believe they are the essence of orderly conduct.
They are not tools to disrupt a speaker's thought process. To quell a particular perspective. To undermine an argument. To create disorder where intended.
Rules abused are impediments to order and good will.
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