Democracy or Not

A special Meeting was held last night to declare Grace Marsh's seat vacant. The agenda listed the decision as to how it would be filled. I moved the motion to declare the vacancy and call a by-election.

The decision was a majority of four to three in favour. Then the Mayor voted to create a deadlock. So the question remained. A new motion was put forward to fill the seat by appointment. It was deferred for a legal opinion.

The Procedure Bylaw became the issue. It was interpreted, at the Mayor's coaching that once a vote had been taken the issue could not be raised again for six months. I challenged that. The Bylaw intends once a decision is made, the question can not be raised again until six months have elapsed. A tie vote is a non-decision.

When a vote results in a tie it is deemed to be defeated. That is deadlock. The question remains to be decided. The Municipal Act requires a decision to be made within sixty days. Therefore the matter is still pending and still open.

The deadlock derived from the Mayor's vote demonstrates why the question must be decided promptly if council is to function properly. An odd number of councillors are needed for a decision-making body.

For the Mayor's vote to be used to create a deadlock completely undermines the functional structure of the decision-making body that is Council. The Mayor's vote is intended to break deadlock not create it. The only time the Speaker of either senior legislative body votes is in the event of a tie.

That's how it always was until some minion at Queen's Park, clearly lacking in comprehension of the practical application, changed the regulations to require the Mayor to vote on every question.

On Monday, councillors received a steady flow of emails favouring a by-election. None favoured appointment.

Susan Walmer was at the meeting in the evening as was John Gallo (runner-up in the last election). Ms Walmer was widely credited for the election of the Mayor and a slate of candidates in 2006. Mr. Gallo was the losing candidate and I believe one of the slate, who called the morning after the election and asked me to step aside and let him have my seat. Apparently he doesn't think much of the voters right to choose.

On Tuesday morning early, there were two identical emails favouring appointment. There have been none since.

If I am reading reaction to Grace Marsh's resignation right, the community strongly favours the right to choose her replacement. Between now and the next council meeting. May 5th, there needs to be a resounding clamour of voices that makes no bones about it.

Aurora deserves the best. Don't settle for less.

If you would like to voice your opinion to All Councillors and the Mayor - the email address to use is allcouncillors@e-aurora.ca