It was only a week ago that I posted about the need for more decorum at meetings – ‘less speeches, personal anecdotes and repetitive comments and my pet peeve – staff appreciation.’

Exactly six months into the term and things seem to be steadily deteriorating. During the Deputy Mayoral candidate night, Chris Gibb said, leaders don’t stand there and point out what everyone else did wrong. Maybe he should share that wisdom with Councillors Crain and McArthur. He also said the petty bickering, the constant battles need to stop and we need to all start rowing in the same direction.

Well, then why not call a point of order when it happens during a meeting?

Things to add to my wish list of good behaviour after having viewed the April 24 meeting:

• curtail irrelevant information; an approximate 41 minute presentation by Fire Chief Montone when the report was attached to the agenda? was a history back to the 40s necessary?
• have Mayor Prue use the gavel to maintain order instead of to speak; there’s a big difference between debating a motion and objecting in an offensive or harshly critical manner and it should stop.
• dispense with informalities; abide by rules of order.
• set a time limit for speeches; learn best practice.
• set a time limit for questions to staff; again, best practice.
• stop staff on either side of the mayor from whispering in his ears; is he seeking their input?
• stop acknowledging staff as speakers wanting to provide input just to make a point.
• stop asking staff if they can meet deadlines for reports; if council deems it necessary to make informed decisions by a certain date, staff should comply.
• reduce the amount of staff to speak to an issue; CAO, Deputy CAO, Dr. Planner, and a few unknown speakers because, unfortunately, they don’t identify themselves.
• stop using acronyms; these aren’t staff meetings.
• start consistently and fairly enforcing and/or waiving rules to hear from the public.
• consider whether it’s a discriminatory practice to not implement a policy that recognizes the viewing public from home might want to speak but are not afforded the same opportunity as members attending in person.
• Realize there have been complaints about one-sided staff reports and communications not being included in the agenda.

And, just to satisfy people who want to view things from a purely positive perspective, the election is only three and half years away.