"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Last Night's Meeting

Was extraordinary. The five constant adherents to the Mayor's doctrine, responded in turn to the Decision of The Integrity Commissioner. Then the Mayor took centre stage.

A passionate declaration of devotion to town and staff. and a pitiful lament for the unfairness of current circumstances was delivered.

A Cease and Desist Order against Defamation was held aloft to indicate why Her Worship could not explain the dismissal of the Integrity Commissioner after his dismissal of their complaint .

The Mayor cited a list of discussion dates between herself, the town solicitor and the Commissioner, to support her contention his dismissal from office took place prior to his dismissal of the complaint.

In his report, on the other hand, the Commissioner cites evidence of "political interference" with the authority provided under Provincial Regulations and the Code of Conduct.

The Code was frequently referenced throughout the evening.

It was Councillor McRoberts who made the point that Provincial Regulations take precedence over municipal bylaws in his motion for a Transparency and Accountability Committee to be created.

His logic failed to resonate with the points of order interruption technique and faulty rulings used regularly to sabotage the efforts of anyone not belonging to the "inner circle of power"on the Council.

The resolution that passed bore no resemblance to the original. Additional work is referred to staff.

The Town Solicitor has been compelled to shoulder responsibilities of Acting Director of Corporate Services as well as his own.

The Chief Administrative Officer is doubling as Acting Deputy Clerk.

It may be assumed the situation is fraught with potential for mistakes. Yet , without a Director of Corporate Services or a Deputy Clerk on hand , there is no option.

Council should not be creating extra work during this crisis.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Evelyn: You might want to ask the reporter Gail Swainson of the Star what Mayor Morris said to her only hours after receiving the cease and desist order. Or even better, ask why the Mayor now can't speak to Council when apparently she could speak to the media on the very same issue(s). I wonder what brought on the change of heart ? More legal correspondence perhaps ? In this town anything is possible these days.

It looks to me like Her Worship may be at it again.

Broderick Epps said...

Ms Morris is a master of presenting the facts and ommitting anything that would take away from her argument. Case in point last night she applauded her leadership and questioned the talk about the so called block called by some the GOS. This was all falsehoods she claimed. Why this council has more unaminous votes than other recent councils she trumpeted. Lost in this statement was the first hand count vote of the day where she announced the vote was unanimous. Trouble was Ms Buck sat on her hands and did not vote. That should have been recorded as 8-1, but whose counting anyways.Also she talked about the high percentage of 8-1 , 7-2 and 6-3 votes. What she failed to mention was that since the appointment of Mr Gallo as Councillor there have been no 5-4 votes. I wonder why?
This was Ms. Morris at her cunning best.

Anonymous said...

Ah, but her Mayorship IS a leader.
Didn't you see the uncomfortable squirming of staff when she went over the top with praise at Tuesday's council meeting?
She buys them a coffee apparently.

PArkview 7 said...

"She buys them a coffee apparently."

And probably puts it on expenses.