Clarification regarding potential suspension

Motions related to the suspension of myself and two other councillors from committees is in the media at the moment. I want to clarify, particularly for constituents of District 3, that should these motions pass they will not impact my community-based work.

My attendance at community and government meetings and committees related to key projects I work on with you were never "council committees" and never were eligible for travel reimbursement. These projects are where I mostly connect with residents. I truly appreciate and enjoy this work and it will continue as needed regardless of whatever attempts the majority block at council take to curb my connections with community. Some of this work includes:

• The new wharf at Halls Harbour;
  
• Speed limits in Centerville;
  
• Centreville Playground;
  
• Centreville Days;
  
• A new crosswalk and crossguard program for Aldershot Elementary;
  
• The feasability study for a solar farm at the Meadowview Landfill site (and other clean energy initiatives);
  
• Choices for Youth
  
• Retrofitting of social housing;
  
• Strengthening protection for agricultural land;
  
• Etc.
  

On the other hand, the council committees I serve on and could apparently be suspended from are: 

• Kings Transit; 
  
• Grandview Manor; and 
  
• The Joint Fire Services Committee that works to coordinate the work of the Kentville Volunteer Fire Department on behalf of Kings County and Town of Kentville residents.
  

For those of you interested in the details of these disciplinary motions that were placed on all Councillors' desk (for us to discover upon arrival at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 7) read on.

There is also some background information below that was received from the CAO about 2-hours prior to council.

As the night progressed the motions weren't addressed. The Warden decided that in the interest of the shortness of time available on July 7 they would be dealt with at a subsequent meeting.

If the motions had come forward I would have raised a Point of Order asking Warden Brothers to declare the motions out of order. In effect regardless of whether in practice, procedure or law these motions have a solid footing, they are best understood as yet another bullying tactic to silence dissent within lead by those who, in my opinion, appear bent on having democracy run amuck!

The Motions

"Council suspends the appointment of Councillors Bishop, Councillor Winsor, and Councillor Raven from all committees for six months effective immediately."
"Council prohibits Councillor Bishop, Councillor Winsor and Councillor Raven from submitting travel claim expenses for any meetings or conferences that they attend except for attendance at Council meetings effective immediately."

CAO's Background Info

Council has passed the following motion: "To direct the CAO to bring back a plan by September to go forward to react to the issue of Councillor walk-out." Given the time challenges that we are facing this evening with the inclusion of a Public Hearing and a Public Engagement Session in addition to Council, I am providing this email as an update (which will be repeated at Council this evening). I have spoken with our former Municipal Advisor, now Executive Director I believe, and we discussed the matter.  He agreed that the options available for Council include removing councilors from committees and not permitting travel expenses for meetings and conferences (outside of council meetings). Given that Council appoints members to committees, Council has the authority to remove members from committees.  Likewise, as Council approves travel to expenses for attendance at meetings, conferences, etc, Council can not approve those expenses. Any plan going forward would involve a decision of Council and, if any action is to be taken, then it appears that the options are to: suspend committee appointments and prohibit reimbursement claims for travel. The Walkout The walkout occurred on June 16 and was aimed at delaying a decision to purchase land in Coldbrook. Three of us excused ourselves from the in camera proceeding. That left only five councillors present and nixed the possibility of a vote.

This delay tactic was aimed at sober second thought on the pending decision. Our "antics" did not sit well with Warden Brother's apparent voting block of six on this particular matter. While Atwater, the sixth and crucial vote, was absent, he was available to return and vote two days later. That day became one of reckoning. Deputy Warden Hirtle, read a long, prepared vengeful speech and called for financial punishment of the councillors who had delayed the vote. Why a decision on the potential purchase of the Coldbrook land from Loblaws could not wait two weeks until council's regular meeting is still puzzling to me. But what seems clear is the lack of room in this county's governance's style for transparency, public engagement, and evidence based decision making. As always, do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or comments. I can be reached at 902.670.2949.