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Deputy mayor Laura Haigh
If a member of Kincardine council wants to know what's going on during a
meeting of the mayor, deputy mayor and chief administrative officer
(CAO), all she has to do is ask.
That's the word from deputy mayor Laura Haight who was upset by comments
made last week by councillor Marsha Leggett in a radio broadcast.
In committee-of-the-whole last night (Feb. 18), Haight said the radio
report stated: "Councillor (Marsha) Leggett says that the chief
administrative officer, the mayor and the deputy mayor hold a meeting
once a month that isn't a committee of council. Leggett wonders what
they discuss and said if it affects council, it should be made public."
"It is most unfortunate that Ms. Leggett did not have the simple courage
and/or courtesy to simply ask the mayor, myself or the CAO what
transpires at these meetings, as I would have been more than happy to
oblige her with an honest reckoning of the discussions," said Haight.
She said the meetings are listed on the monthly calendar for all of
council to see. In December, 2007, during the "communications workshop,"
someone asked what the meetings were about and all in attendance were
told that the meetings are a tool used to improve the personal
communications between the mayor and deputy mayor, and are of a general
nature. "Any member of council is welcome to attend the meetings which
are about an hour long," said Haight.
"They are a chance to chat over a coffee about the issues of the day,"
she said. "Has it worked in improving our personal communication? All I
can say is that while the mayor and I will continue to disagree on many
issues, our discourse has been less strained and more civil during the
council meetings."
She said if council members want to know what is being discussed or have
concerns about these meetings, they are free to ask. "Why is there a
need to intimate that there must be some scurrilous undertaking or
wrong-doing taking place?"
Haight said no decisions are made at these meetings because she and the
mayor are only two members of council. "The meetings are just one method
of facilitating dialogue and providing a link between the administrative
heads of the municipality and the elected body."
She said if council has a problem with the mayor, deputy mayor and CAO
meeting in this manner, the members need only say something and amend
the bylaws to create the prohibition.
"Please note, no matter the outcome, the mayor and I will still find it
necessary to talk from time to time, if only to co-ordinate our
schedules," she said.
(next column)
19/02/2009 10:51 PM
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Councillor Marsha Leggett "I'm very happy that you
brought this up," said Leggett. "I don't think there is any skullduggery
going on. However, those of council with full-time employment, cannot
get there for nine o'clock in the morning (to attend those meetings)."
"Why don't you just ask what's being discussed?" asked Haight. "I'm
offended that you were wondering what was being discussed. As a courtesy
to me and to (mayor) Larry (Kraemer) and to (CAO) John (deRosenroll),
just ask and we'll tell you." "I apologize for what
you're thinking but I felt it had to be brought up here and discussed
out in the open," said Leggett. "You brought it up to the
radio station not at council," said Haight.
Councillor Gordon Campbell said he was upset with comments made to him
by Haight but he didn't make a big deal out of it. "Now, you're upset
with Marsha (Leggett) and you're making a big deal out of it."
Councillor Ron Hewitt said he is in constant contact with senior staff
of the municipality. "There's nothing wrong with it," he said. "I may
even call up councillors and get their opinion on an issue. Then I come
to the council table with an open mind and want to make informed
decisions. To do that, we need open discussions with senior managers."
"We have a total lack of communication on this council," said councillor
Randy Roppel. "We all live in our own little worlds and when we come
back to the council table, we can't communicate. Maybe we (Roppel,
Campbell and Marsha Leggett) are feeling like outsiders. We all have to
learn to get along."
"All actions of council are done here at the table," said Haight. "We
need to ask questions and get answers and we have to do it here."
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