As you may have noticed already, the Committee of the Whole Meeting (COW) which was scheduled for this afternoon (Sept. 17) has been cancelled. The reason for the cancellation was not posted as part of the notice of cancellation.
There are many different reasons for cancelling meetings of city council, some of which include:
- No business to discuss ... highly unlikely as I am sure there are many more creative ways of spending tax dollars to be considered.
- The weather is simply too good to be wasted inside attending to meetings, so council and staff decided to go golfing. More likely than above.
- Council has finally realized that what is actually accomplished at these meetings is to endorse whatever city staff has already decided to do, so there is no point in wasting Councillor's time. While not the most likely reason, it is my preferred choice.
Submitted by Janet Irvine:
ReplyDeleteThe Union of BC Municipalities Conference takes place September 24 to 28 in Victoria.
Appears that next regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 1.
I realize this is your "blog" and you're entitled to put whatever you want on it, but should you not adhere to the same standards you put on us?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.Any comment that could be considered slanderous or includes unacceptable language will be removed.
"Council has finally realized that what is actually accomplished at these meetings is to endorse whatever city staff has already decided to do, so there is no point in wasting Councillor's time. While not the most likely reason, it is my preferred choice."
How about the right of free speech and the communication of fair comment about a matter of public interest?
DeleteYou can't make hide behind free speech when it comes to potentially defamatory comments, written or spoken. Just like how I cannot simply call out someone for being a pedophile with no substantiated support to that accusation.
DeleteThe Supreme Court of Canada has upheld many claims against those who argue "free speech".
Can you direct me to these cases please. Are you a lawyer?
DeleteThere is nothing defamatory about this comment, and anyone who has taken the time to personally observe how city council functions would not likely disagree.
Remember, city staff are the professionals, and city Councillors need no qualifications to get elected and rely on staff's opinions when it comes to making their decisions.
They will be presented with hundreds of pages of agenda on a Thursday night, which they are expected to read and research in order to make an informed decision come Monday night........see any problems there?
Remember at staff's direction, city council chose to award a $12 million building contract without having gone to public tender.
I believe that for the most part Council does just endorse the recommendations of city staff. That opinion is based on personal observation of nearly every council meeting for the past three years.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that council seldom dictates policy but rather considers what is being presented by city staff as the sound opinion of the 'professionals' which they then endorse.
I don't consider this statement as either slanderous or using unacceptable language but rather fair comment based on many hours of observation.
When was the last time you attended a city council meeting?
I do not attend as much as you but please do not make an automatic assumption that your attendance means you know more.
ReplyDeleteIf not by personal observation, unless you are a Councillor or member of staff....what would be the base of your knowledge?
ReplyDeleteIn the past three years, how many times has city council not agreed with city staff?
The last five year financial plan spending close to one billion dollars was given the rubber stamp by city council with barely any discussion whatsoever.