Discussion of council review goes behind closed doors
Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Apr 11/01) - Two councillors are at odds with their peers over a decision to take discussions over council pay and other issues behind closed doors.
Councillors Dave Ramsey and Robert Hawkins said issues to be discussed in the "council status review" deserve to be in public.
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The private discussion followed Monday's Priorities, Planning and Budget Committee meeting. Talk focused on whether to strike a committee that would include discussions of what councillors and the mayor are paid and whether the number of councillors should be cut to six from eight.
"If we're talking about our wages, the mayor's wages, that stuff is for a public setting," said Ramsay.
"I don't mind saying the deputy mayor should be paid as any other councillor."
Councillors Wendy Bisaro, Kevin O'Reilly and Blake Lyons voted to move in camera.
Priorities, Policies and Budget Committee chair, deputy mayor Dave McCann cast the vote needed to meet the two- thirds majority needed for the move.
McCann stressed council arrived at no decisions during the in camera meeting.
"All this will come out in council debates," said McCann.
He defended the move saying the topic was moved in camera with Mayor Gord Van Tighem's blessing.
"The mayor was in the room when it was put on the agenda," said McCann.
McCann said because the matter was "volatile and sensitive," moving the discussion behind closed doors quelled any possible "posturing" on the part of some councillors which could have distorted the issue in the public eye.
"Councillors in public and in camera are two different beasts," said McCann.
"It's reality. We reduced the temptation to make political points."
According to the Northwest Territories' Cities, Towns and Villages Act, council may enter in camera if it is perceived to be in the public interest on a resolution supported by at least two-thirds of council members present.
"I think it was a good idea (to go in camera) so people could speak freely with the knowledge that no action is being taken," said Coun. Blake Lyons.
Bisaro said councillors did not have enough information on the topic and Coun. Kevin O'Reilly said the meeting was just for information purposes.
McCann said the city's recent history with the ratepayer's court fight over secret meetings shredded public trust in council and casts suspicion on decisions to go in camera.
"If we're not willing to expose our souls then we're hiding something," said McCann.
He said the public should trust council that all decisions will unfold in the public arena. That still didn't sit well with Ramsey.
"If we were hired hands then I'd be OK with it. But we're elected officials," he said.
