PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19.1975. WHITBY FR EE PRESS whitby Voice of the County Town Mike Whitby Council Should Not Abuse Secret Meetings One of the most used arguments by town coun- cillors speaking for in-camera (or confidential) meetings in the case of land purchasing is that the price would go up if the seller knows who the buyer is....... Which certainly makes sense. BUT we can't help but wonder why the secrecy when the town is dealing directly with the seller such as the recent case involving the Rossland/Brock $700,000 land purchase. The seller certainly KNEW who he has been dealing with for the last few months, so this cop- out is somewhat invalidated. As usual the only people who didn't know what was going on were the taxpayers. The town's end of the puIrchase comes close to $400,000. Certainly not a paltry amount. We're not questioning this decision (despite the fact that many questions should perhaps be asked) but rather the WAY some of these decisions are made.....in confidential meetings. We can appreciate the NECESSARY privacy of some items such as staff salaries, personnel pro- blems, etc., but unfortunately what seems to be happening is that more and more is becoming 'confidential', and important decisions are being made WITHOUT the knowledge of the people. Confidential meetings are some politicians' bread and butter. Let's take a hypothetical case (we say 'hypothetical' because we know that NONE of our politicians would be like this): Councillor Phoney Baloney doesn't want to touch anything that may be controversial (and possibly lose him votes) so he moves everything controver- sial into confidential meetings where he is free to voice his opinions rightly or wrongly without the public knowing. Then AFTER the decision is made and becomes public, Councillor Baloney can say whatever he wants, or thinks will keep him on the good side of his constituents. Hence you'll see the grandstanding AFTER the fact.....not before, or during the making of the decision. Ever wonder why? Some councillors, believe-it-or-not, are even intimidated by their fellow councillors and are actually AFRAID to speak their minds publically for fear of being ostracized by the others.....and that would hurt the vote swapping (you support my motion and lIl support yours). Watch the happenings closely and see if you can spot the 'Councillor Baloney'.....every political group has at least one. This sait of armour, fondly referred to as 'Henry', is a copy of a suit of armour specially made for Henry Vllth, but never worn, which is now to be seen in the Tower of London. This copy, the only one made, was built in the early 1960's to represent British skilled trades by Robert Normanseli Limited of Birmingham. The six foot high, 200 pound 'Henry' has toured England and the U.S.A. aboard the Flying Scot Express (one of England's most famous steam trains). Henry has now settled at Jackson of England in Oshawa. Free Press Photo editorijal 9ç)t:p page Discussion Period Should Be Passed Councillor Joy Thompson's latest request of council is a good one. Councillor Thompson wants support fro'm her colleagues to amend the procedural bylaw to allow for a period of 30 minutes at each meeting during which time introduction and discussion of matters will be permitted without raquiring a motion. At council meetings in the past, councillors have often been frustrated when they tried to discuss an issue which was not on the agenda. Another coun- cillor, whether he or she was very loyaJ to the rules of parliamentary procedure or just wanted to get home to bed, would point out that a motion must be put forth before such issues can be discussed. In many instances, the councillor wishing to discuss the matter had not prepared a motion as he or she felt that the weight of the issue was sufficient that council should deal with it. With- out doubt, some of these issues affect many people in the town. "Point of order," another councillor would shout. "We must follow parliamentary procedure" Parliamentary procedure is, of course, necessary for council to work with some semblance of order. However, the town's administrators often get bogged down with parliamentary procedure to the point where matters of little consequence take up more time than they should and meetings last until midnight which tends to bring fatigue to the mayor, members of council and the town's staff. No one can work efficiently or even think straight when tired. So, council adjourns, having gone through the agenda. Since council is not prepared to sacrifice a point of parliamentary procedure, namely requiring a motion to deal with a topic, Councillor Thomp- son's motion should be supported. Some people, such as Councillor Tom Edwards, feel that there would be a lot of "headline hunting" if Councillor Thompson's motion is passed. Councillor Edwards should know better. It was he who revealed to the public the secret sale of town land to the province. If it were not for Councillor Edwards, we might not yet be aware of this 'Milhousian' transaction. If telling the public what they are entitled to know is "headline hunting", let's have more of it. C'mon councillors, it might do you good to get some of those confidential items off your chest and before the public. Support Councillor Thompson's motion. Dear Sir; Referring to the recent contraversial comment written by Mr. Norm Mealing in his column, although I'm sure they were well meant, I feel they were totally uncalled for and doubt they are the sentiments of the other members of the nominating commit- tee. The residents of West Lvnde are not child- ren - to be told what they must do or not do in their spare time - many are already out- standing woriers in other Associations. Anyone having deal- ings with any association knows only too well an- nual General Meetings are usually poorly at- tended - no sane person wishes to be roped into any .activity that may mean a little extra work - plus taking the usual flack from the sedentary members. Mr. Mealing you have advertised for mnembers to come forward to you, to stand for these vacant offices, but you are not Mohammed - you and the nominating commit- tee have to get out and find these members, many of whom are too quiet to push forward, some need a little persua- sion or polite invitation by phone - the type of person needed to do excellent committee work - not the slippery, fast talking individual - here today and gone to- morrow Surely you don't expect the people to queue at your front door for these voluntary positions. As for the remark that the newsletter still has to make an appearance, the newsletter is an associa- tion newsletter reporting committee work mainly to the membership, it is usually delayed waiting for important news items and dates to be relayed to me. I only put the items together, type it, have it printed at a mem- ber's home - who also gives his time freely and generously on a volun- tary basis. It is folded counted, stackeà with names and addresses for the Street Reps and then delivered - usually fol- lowing a full day's work, plus family and home. May I add, your important section actual- ly' missed the February newsletter deadline but unfortunately, or fortun- ately for you, the 'print- er' member was unable to offer any spare time to print the newsletter for us. February became the March Newsletter in- cluding your section, plus four other items - you just might have had to print and deliver 860 flyers yourself. The March newsletter took 6 hours to fold and count out and 1½ hours to deli- ver - it was delivered exactly one week prior to your newscolumn - to your newscolumn - and you wonder why no- one wishes to stand on the committee? Yes I believe in free speech but I also believe the association was be- gun mainly to unite the West Lynde residents to- gether in Social and Recreational activities, not to tear them apart or cause dissent with the rest of the town. Nor do the members and their committee have to be dictated to, the associa- tion is strong and will remain so for a long time yet. yours truly, Margaret H. Boyce Whitby, Ontario