A bid to form a a new committee went down to defeat at Belleville City Council last night. Councillor Taso Christopher proposed a Protective Service Committee to advise on the city’s fire budget, policies and programs. Mayor Neil Ellis made it clear he would not support such a committee. He says its too near the end of council’s term, meaning the committee would only have a life of a few months. His other objection….raising the issue while Fire Chief Ray Chaput was absent. It lost on a recorded vote with the mayor, Councillors Jack Miller and Garnet Thompson voting against. Two councillors were absent.