Off the Rails 7

Here's another submission to the Prince Albert Daily Herald. It was written on Good Friday, in response to a letter to the editor published that day. The newspaper printed it on Thursday, April 16.

It seems some members of the community delight in the prospect of nailing certain city councillors to a cross (or something similar). As an ardent supporter of civility, fair play, and democracy, I sometimes tire of being the sole voice defending elected indivduals' right to adhere to rules of procedure and the provincial laws that govern municipal governments. But I won't stop doing it.

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April 10, 2009

The Editor,
Prince Albert Daily Herald

As predictable as snow melting in the spring, and the winter’s detritus and doggy doo revealed beneath it, yet another letter to the editor follows the mayor’s most recent critical outburst toward the same two city councillors.

Unlike the mayor, and Miles Mackenzie, councillors Atkinson and Williams have reasonably good knowledge of how democracy works, the content of Saskatchewan’s Cities Act, and Robert’s Rules of Order. How redundant (and coincidental) is it that Mr. Mackenzie twice uses the identical expression (“time and time again”) that the mayor used in his April 6 scolding of the two councillors?

The mayor’s attempt to ram through council that evening yet another item with as little discussion as possible was tiresome, if not worrisome. As the chair at city council meetings, he may eventually learn that his constant calls of “Question!” are inappropriate; trying to intimidate councillors Atkinson and Williams with this exclamation ultimately produces the democratic procedure “backlash” he so despises.

As the only member of the public to attend council’s public budget consultation (March 26), budget committee meeting (March 27), regular council meeting to adopt the budget (April 6), and special council meeting to give third reading to the budget bylaw (April 8), I can testify to the mayor’s impatience when his wishes are not immediately accepted by the rest of council. Mr. Mackenzie would do well to attend council meetings, and spend some time studying democratic meeting procedure before sounding off on his behalf so quickly.

Sincerely,
Brian R. Clavier
Prince Albert