The latest meeting of the Council, broadcast live on PAC-14 last night, once again was the best free entertainment available in Salisbury. After a mostly uncontroversial agenda, things became interesting when Terry Cohen made an unscheduled “subsidiary” motion, and was told by Louise Smith that it was out of order because it was “not on the agenda”.
Ms. Cohen, prepared as always, pointed out that this type of motion is permitted under Roberts Rules of Order, whereupon the matter was referred to the Council’s parliamentarian and the City Attorney for advice. After some dithering, Paul Wilber said that the Council has not adopted Robert’s Rules, but Ms. Cohen pointed out that the Council’s rules provide that Robert’s Rules apply in the absence of any specific rule. At this point in the proceedings Smith offered Wilber a recess to allow him to get his act together and fabricate an opinion.
When the meeting was reconvened, Wilber dithered once again and Ms. Cohen pressed her position until he conceded that the motion could be made and considered. How much that ruling cost in legal fees is unknown.
Then the Council proceeded to conduct another extended food fight in considering the motion, which Ms, Campbell seconded, to put Mayor Ireton’s special rental legislation (“Safe Streets”) on the Council’s work session agenda in October. The volcano erupted when Shanie Shields accused Ireton, Ms. Campbell and Ms. Cohen as being insensitive to tenants and suggested that a racial agenda was at work. Ireton interrupted, confronting Shields, and later responded to diatribe by Smith, who went gangbusters with the gavel to silence him.
Campbell and Cohen made both Smith and Shields look like buffoons when the latter pair offered every possible reason – nonsensical for the most part -- not to consider the Mayor’s proposed legislation. The motion failed by a 2-2 vote, Gary Comegys being absent once again.
During the episode it was mentioned that Ms. Campbell and Ms. Cohen will hold a meeting in the Council Chambers on September 15 to take public comment on the proposed legislation. However, the other members of the Council have rejected their request that the meeting be broadcast on PAC-14.
It is now obvious beyond doubt that legislation has absolutely no chance of passage by the current City Council, regardless of whether Mr. Comegys returns to the arena.
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6 comments:
Fifteen minutes and a horse whip would open up a new perspective.
I was un able to attend but would like any information on if the Salisbury Dog Park was discussed and any feed back on this topic would be appreciated. Thanks in advance
How does this happen time and time again?
It happens because no one has a horse whip and 15 minutes. I'll make the time. some day someone is going to give them a swift kick in the butt. Someone who is knowlegable of how to run a meeting and the ins and outs and shut them down. Including wilbur. He stays perched on the fence so as not to make a decision. His work is not worth 5 cents.
Dont give up Terry and Debbie.
B & G -- it was announced in the public comment that the City Park Committee has recommended against locating the dog facility there.
Let's hope that the City follows their advice and does not screw up the city park to placate the bow-wowsers.
Build the dog park in Don Cathcart's backyard since he likes it so much.
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