To the Editor,
Re: Minority signs code of conduct, Aug. 20.
I am sure that many of the voters, like myself, are very disappointed in the behaviour of those councillors that were voted in to represent us and the city of Nanaimo in a mature, professional manner.
Are the councillors who refused to sign the declaration afraid of being held accountable for their poor conduct? Do they realize that some of their past behaviour observed at meetings would not be tolerated in most other jobs?
One can only assume that they do, and therefore they will not sign anything that may hold them accountable for this poor display.
It is a well-known fact that people who are in constant power struggles with any type of governance are very insecure, and their outbursts or inappropriate behavior helps to cover this up. That is not who we want representing us, or our city. Time to grow up.
Judy TraitkoNanaimo
To the Editor,
Re: Minority signs code of conduct, Aug. 20.
I am glad to see only a handful of council signed that code of conduct. As your story states, it is not mandatory to sign. So who would? The head-nodders who bob to every staff and spending whim.
It takes guts to stand up, debate and ask questions of any establishment bent on pushing its perceived priorities.
More important it should be noted that any councillor can challenge the chair (mayor) on a ruling he makes to cut off or throw out a councillor or a member of the public. This is a law under the B.C. Community Charter. When a challenge to the chair is made, a council vote must be called where the chair cannot vote and a tie or majority vote against the ruling voids it.
That is democracy, where the elected majority decides. Not one politician who could just be imposing their perceived might.
George OliverNanaimo