The Canadian Champion, Friday, December 18,1998 -3 They' re trading shots over meeting procedure By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Town council is abusing the system through too many in camera sessions, says Councillor Rick Malboeuf. In tum, Mr. Malboeuf was accused of grandstanding for a second time by colleague WalIy Hunter. In camera sessions are council discussions that are closed to the public and the media. Mr. Malboeuf accused council of "circling their wagons" to protect "their political butts. "We're elected officiais," said Mr. Maîbocuf. "People have the right to know where we stand." Mr. Malboeuf was upset over a recent in camera dis- cussion regarding appointments to a municipal comn- mittee. He tried to, get the issue taken into open council at the Monday night meeting, but was unable to get any- one to second his motion. 'That was a flagrant abuse of the system," he said later. "They don't want people to know where they stand on the issue. They can always deny they did it, and that's my biggest contention." In camera items are govemed by the Municipal Act. Following the act, council must go in camera for legal and property matters, as well as personnel issues dealing with an identifiable individual, according to the Town clerk's office. Issues related to property pur- chase are also destined for in camera coverage. Unlike the situation at Halton Region, Town council is notorious for going in camera on issues outside of those parameters, said Mr. Malboeuf, who is a mem- ber of both counicils. 'They' ve done it so long and gotten away with it," lie said. "That's when I realized there was something wrong witb what we' re doing." The debate about too many in camera sessions has IlWe're elected ofldials. People have a night to know where we stand." ...... ............. been going on about as lodt as council itself, said Mayor Gord Krantz. "That's an old horse that's been beaten to death, usually by a councillor who doesn't have much to contribute," he said. I don't buy into that for a moment." Mr. Krantz dismissed the idea that in camera ses- sions are being used by councillors to avoid public scrutiny, pointing out that it is the acting Town clerk, Helen Lisi, who decides wbich items are to go in cam- era. "I's certainly not me or any councillor directing the clerk," he said. "The clerk is the one who puts it on yellow paper, not me." The fact that no one on council supported Mr. Malboeuf's latest attempt to bring an in camera issue to open counicil sbould speak for itself, said Mr. Krantz. "There are maybe 10 of us wbo are wrong and one who is right," he said. "Or could it be the other way around, that 10 of us are right and one of us is wrong?" Mr. Malboeuf should stick to issues that really impact the taxpayer. said Councillor Hunter. I find it ironic that we have a $100 million pipeline * ee DISMISS on page 4 .. e * Nieyaafeadapy * holidea season, "f LagunpL++ Nier Bi eeder** 9 at $2200.Val........ ....................tua s NL 7 9i9 50 Ibs. Black Oil Sunflower Seed Mature Seed 99% Clean.. 999Yl Henri 9 9 UnewtrLights 9 9 Reg. $16299 Supplies Limited)............ NOW Muskoka Mix* USi Pond Doctor: 1 99 A Pond Help Book................... ONY ie