Many of the stories coming out of town hall recently are related to communication.
While some express frustration and a “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” attitude towards council’s sudden adherence to its procedures bylaw and the elimination of an after-meeting question period, there is more to be considered than what lies on the surface.
And the surface, of course, is the legal adherence to the bylaw.
As a possible hint as to what council members and staff are thinking and sometimes dealing with, consider the following.
It is part of the preamble to a public hearing held earlier this month where several zoning and official plan changes were discussed. It was included in the hearing agenda.
No one attended to observe the meeting (other than the Spotlight). The date and time and the proposed changes were all well publicized and really it wasn’t all that interesting or controversial - just housekeeping items bringing zoning and the OCP up to date with actual land uses.
“At this public hearing, any person present who believes that his or her interest in properties are affected by the proposed bylaws shall be given an opportunity to be heard on the matters contained in the proposed bylaws. However, it is important that all who speak at this meeting restrict their remarks to matters contained in the bylaw and it is the chairman’s responsibility to ensure that all remarks are so restricted.
Those of you who wish to speak concerning these proposed bylaws should, at the appropriate time, commence your address to the council and meeting by clearly stating your name and address. Then you may give us the benefit of your views concerning the proposed bylaws.
Members of council may, if they wish, ask questions of you following your presentation. However, the main function of council members this evening is to listen to the views of the public. It is not the function of council at this public hearing to debate the merits of the proposed bylaws with individual citizens.
Everyone who deems his or her interest in property to be affected shall be given the opportunity to be heard at this meeting. No one will be, or should feel, discouraged or prevented from making his or her views known…
…During the course of a public hearing people sometimes tend to become too enthusiastic or emotional. Regardless of whether you favour or oppose any particular application or argument, please refrain from applause or other expressions of emotion. Restraint enables others whose views may or may not coincide with you own to exercise their right to express their views and enables all views expressed to be heard in as impartial a forum as possible.”
It comes across as a reminder that everyone has to follow rules. Inasmuch as Princeton’s procedure bylaw is full of rigid expectations (it even covers how councillors dress) a level of professionalism and decorum is demanded of the public as well. - AD