Town votes to amend council procedural bylaw

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Town of Strathmore council voted to pass third reading of Bylaw 23-28, being an amendment to its procedural bylaw, 23-17 during the Oct. 3, regular meeting. 

During the Sept. 6, regular meeting of council, a motion was passed to direct administration to prepare the amending bylaw. During the Sept. 20 regular meeting, council gave first and second reading to the amending bylaw. 

The amendment to Bylaw 23-28 specifically regards Sections 28 and 29 to include the following as 28.12, and 29.2 within the bylaw:

28.12. A motion to rescind a motion which has been passed, or review a defeated motion may be offered subsequent to the meeting at which the motion was passed or defeated if the rescind motion is: 

• Brought more than six months after the date of the original motion;

• A member who voted with the prevailing side may move to reconsider a motion; or 

• Brought after a general municipal election which has taken place since the date of the original motion.

29.2. All votes taken by Council will be a recorded vote.

Coun. Jason Montgomery, prior to the vote, motioned by Coun. Richard Wegener, read a prepared statement expressing concerns about the amendment.

“At first I was not sure about this amendment … essentially, it is changing the rights of a minority group and giving them less rights than the majority,” he said. “I… sit (before you) to extol the virtues of suppressing minority opinions, because after all, what better way to foster progress than by silencing the voices that dare to challenge the status quo.”

Montgomery continued his statement, describing a suggestion that the amendment would effectively turn the council chamber into an echo chamber where “diversity of thought is a relic of the past.”

His full statement is available for public viewing, along with the rest of the recorded council meeting via the Town of Strathmore YouTube channel. 

Mayor Pat Fule and Wegener clarified people who may foster beliefs in a minority are still allowed to make themselves heard in council chambers following the passing of the amendment and their voices, pointedly, are not stifled.

“Their voices are not silenced, there is just a waiting period so that we can have some efficiency in our council meetings. Nobody is stifled,” said Fule. 

Wegener emphasized the intent of the amendment is to expedite council processes instead of re-debating issues repeatedly and suggesting council to be indecisive or dysfunctional. 

He added a reminder that it is within council’s mandate following a vote, regardless of which side a councillor is on, the decision will be supported. 

Recent examples of council debates which had arisen in multiple meetings despite the successful passing of related motions, include discussions surrounding the pride crosswalk, and the delivery of mail featuring explicit content. 

The amendment to the procedural bylaw was put into effect immediately following the vote resulting in its passing by council.

Davis has performed in the past here in Strathmore for the Musical Arts Society and he is excited to be back. 

“I’ve got a lot of history in Canada – in fact all over the doggone place, particularly Alberta,” he said. “When I come to Strathmore this time, I’ve got songs that go to the edge of the blues; that go outside of the blues.” 

Davis said people who come to his show on Oct. 14 are in for a treat.  

“I ask that everybody be prepared to have a good time and also to sing along with some of these songs,” he said. 

Ticket and more information can be found on their webpage (www.strathmorearts.com).