The fact that Wellington North Township council was the first municipality in this county to have an investigation into its meeting activities under the new provincial meeting investigation legislation was a bit of a surprise. Generally we regard their administration and council conduct as very good.
But, as happens in life, perfection is often illusive and in the grand scheme of things, the improper meeting probably will have no lasting effect on this council’s work. It is a great lesson, though – for Wellington North and other municipalities in this county.
Reporters and regular attendees at council can often become frustrated when meetings are interrupted by closed session announcements. It sounds like this particular meeting drew the ire of local reporter Kris Svela from the Mount Forest Confederate because the press was not allowed to attend. Readers, no matter what publication, have an interest in the goings-on of their council, since every decision and move ends up costing those taxpayers money. Credit goes to Svela for asking the question – was the meeting proper or not?
Now that the results are in, perhaps some reflection will take place any time the prospect of an impromptu meeting rears its head. Secondly, perhaps most importantly, is that all officials reflect on the purpose of their meetings and why a closed session is a necessity.
We suspect the absence of thorough details in the Municipal Act to govern joint meetings between municipal councils played a role in this poor choice of meeting structure. Adding to that was the delicate nature of the discussions, where expectations on the part of Mayor Mike Broomhead did not coincide with that of his council’s “recreation partners” from West Grey and Southgate Townships. Previously, co-operation between those parties and Mount Forest’s historic status as a recreation centre for rural neighbours led Wellington North to believe a reasonable amount of funding would be available to them for the new facility being built.
When that particular issue of funding reared its head, we recall Mayor Broomhead being somewhat frustrated at the lack of funding support, and taking a bit of heat for that position for not getting a formal agreement in advance of moving ahead with the new Sportsplex. Perhaps part of the now-regarded-as-improper meeting was to get out of the spotlight and have a little one-on-one time between councils. Issues played out in the press can be pretty tough, particularly when neither party wishes to look poorly in front of its citizens.
At any rate, the impending renewal of a procedural bylaw for Wellington North Township offers a chance to spell out more clearly what the press and citizens can expect for council meetings – closed or open.
This council should be given the opportunity to administer meetings without undue skepticism. There could very well be occasions as council regains its confidence in light of this investigation where something truly deserving of closed session treatment could rear its head in public. We hope attendees and reporters have the good grace to cut council a bit of slack should that happen – in the interest of making its meetings more transparent.
