The Robinson-City of Pickering Council feud needs a resolution, the saga needs to be put to rest but not without some considerations.
From the Mayor’s side
Councillor’s need to consider due responsibilities and appropriate conduct in their role as City Councillors. They need to abide by the rules, collaborate in discussions, listen to all points of view and conduct themselves with proper decorum and respect for everyone, including other municipal personnel. At the beginning of this long saga, the Mayor showed proper respect and appropriate responses in dealing with Councillor Robinson. As the saga progressed, the Mayor found it increasingly difficult to accept how council debates were being disrupted and detoured from their set agendas. The source of these repetitive disruptions seemed to come from a singularly self-centered mindset. Patience and maintaining proper debating decorum became increasing challenges. The Mayor felt compelled to resort to abrupt and forceful mechanisms to terminate the interruptions and disruptions.
The repercussions of Mayor’s conduct as council chair
The response to the Mayor’s conduct and methods was anger and intransigence. The response was refusal to acknowledge the possibility the Mayor’s conduct was appropriate and proper.
From Councillor Robinson’s side
Councillor Robinson’s initial behaviour in council seemed founded on questions and pursuit of information. That effort become more intense and forceful when the Mayor repeatedly reminded the councillor that ‘the matter had received appropriate attention and its discussion was being terminated. This seemed to be waving of a red flag that brought more foreceful and intense rebuttals from Councillor Robinson. The Mayor’s responses became increasingly less patient and more forceful. Some would even suggest belligerent and angry.
Other councillors on the fray
Other councillors engaged in the debate with Robinson, initially with the seeming intent of clarification and edification. There pointed out where Robinson’s view differed from the views of the majority, of the community at large, the organizations and associations within the community. These clarifications or explanations seem to be unheard. The repeated efforts to explain and clarify the disagreements between Robinson and the other councillors seem to increase in vitriol and animosity. The discussions began to take on the appearance of a battle with the council and mayor’s side supporting the view that Robinson was taking negative positions, positions that deviated from the majority of councilors, city personnel and the community as opposed to the Robinson side which claimed to be representative of truth, democratic principles and universal equanimity. As the conflict took on the appearance of Goliath vs David, the media took greater notice.
The conflict has escalated into national news without coming any closer to closure and resolution. The two sides dug their heels in deeper and became increasingly intransigent. The municipal strategy resorted to legal authorities and provincial conciliators. Additionally, the dispute was intensified when financial sanctions and suspension from duties were imposed as new strategies in hopes they would be more effective in persuading Robinson into cooperation. The new strategies failed; Robinson’s vehemence and passion grew more intense.
Where is the resolution to this intense disparity on City council
This is a challenging question, perhaps without a clear and concise solution. Compromise seems unattainable; both sides see their side as correct and justified. Legal declarations have sided with the City; Robinson seems to have the weaker support among the public if election results are indicators of such. Robinson manages with salary removal and whatever gagging strategies the council uses. No solution seems possible. Perhaps the outcome must be left to higher authorities such as the provincial government but that route may be questionable as to having appropriate authority in municipal affairs. This saga is definitely a conundrum for all parties concerned.
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