A large gathering of residents appeared at the regular council meeting last week in support of a delegation by the green plan task force.

This citizen task force was requesting council’s support for the creation of a green plan for Huntsville. The presentation was well prepared, well presented and courteously received by council. It was unfortunate that most of the residents and presenters who attended had to leave early rather than wait for council to discuss the matter and vote on the resolution.

The reason is that the delegation’s motion appeared under new business much later in the meeting. As a matter of courtesy, and as a tool to include more residents in the municipal process, most councils in Ontario will move an item forward on the agenda when it is apparent that the majority of residents in the audience are there to hear debate on one particular item. Why not consider that courtesy here in our community?

A second delegation re: “Matters touching on the budget” was made by Huntsville resident Terry Russell. Mr. Russell commented on what he perceived to be a sloppy budget process this year and made some suggestions for improvement. As the 2008 budget was approved later in the meeting Mr. Russell’s suggestions were not accepted.

Mr. Russell also questioned the appropriateness of the mayor criticizing former employees for the financial problems facing the town. Mr. Russell offered the mayor a chance to respond. Mayor Doughty’s response was that he will do so sometime in the future. The Forester, published the next day, did not have such a response. Hopefully he will choose a forum as public as the one he chose to criticize former employees who are in no position to defend themselves.

Herein is the problem. The mayor speaks for council when discussing town business. Every decision, whether it be to hire and fire staff or to pass a budget, is a council decision, not a mayor’s decision. The unfortunate conclusion here is that in criticizing former employees the way he did, Mayor Doughty was speaking for council under their direction or with their support.

If this is not the case why don’t individual members of council say so? Actually, Mr. Russell offered councillors that opportunity during his presentation but only Councillor Beatty offered to do so. Incredibly Mayor Doughty, as chair, refused to recognize Mr. Beatty’s wish to speak even though town staff brought the request to his attention as is quite evident on the video tape of the meeting.

Are councillors not allowed to speak at council meetings? Why then is there a confirmation bylaw passed at the end of the meeting confirming that this meeting took place according to an established procedural bylaw? Such bylaw guarantees the right of each councillor to speak at least once on any issue. Councillor Beatty and every councillor treated in this manner should demand a “Point of Order” every time they are not recognized by the chair.

Every man and woman we elect to council is equal around that table. Each has one vote and each an equal right to participate in debate under established rules. A council meeting is not a one-man show.

Peter Healy,
Huntsville