Belleville’s mayor has ruled against a point of privilege by a councillor, and lectured council on the whole concept of points of privilege.
The point of privilege was raised at the council meeting two weeks ago.
At the June 10 council meeting, Councillor Garnet Thompson rose on a point of privilege, objecting to Councillor Kelly McCaw suggesting he was “confused” during a vote at a previous meeting.
In a lengthy address to council Tuesday night, Mayor Mitch Panciuk said he had reviewed the council tapes and ruled Thompson had said “just that.”
Mayor Panciuk said that Thomson had found the motion (under consideration) confusing. “I find clearly Thomson himself was confused.”
Panciiuk continued, saying he was concerned that Thompson had not checked the council tape himself, and concerned if he (the mayor) had not checked he might have ruled in error.
“I hereby rule Thompson does not have a point of privilege.”
He said that in the future he will ask the councillors involved if they have checked out the facts.
Panciuk told councillors, “we were sent here by voters to work collectively. If we fail, the city of Belleville suffers.” He urged them to “act with maturity…the issue is behind us.”
Quinte News spoke to Councillor Thompson after the meeting.
Mayor Panciuk tells Quinte News he’s very concerned about the fact that in at least four meetings there have been three points of privilege.
