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Nelson mayor shows lack of leadership

The responsibility for the conduct of meetings rests solely with the chair.

As a former board member of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, I was surprised to see the complete abandonment of any of the protocols followed by elected municipal councils in Canada during the “discussion” of the cannabis issue at Monday night’s council meeting.

The responsibility for the conduct of meetings rests solely with the chair. If that individual is incapable of running a fair meeting, then he/she should be replaced. Why should the minority rule just because they won’t follow the rules?

The transcript shows that the mayor spoke up around 48 separate times during this “discussion.”

Although some of these instances were for procedural matters, the majority were to let councillors know his position and to clearly state that he would not co-operate with council if they did not act according to his wishes. Many of his speeches unceremoniously interrupted others on council.

Earl Hamilton

Nelson