Councillor Robinson may be legitimately viewed as a troublemaker. She polarizes municipal councillors. She constantly opposes and conflicts with Mayor Ashe as chair of the municipal council. She disregards rules of discussion, debate and social interaction. She is an obstacle to municipal policy making and muncipal operations. She is a disruptive and troublesome obstacle to the City’s municipal efficiency and effectiveness.

Even a junk pile has something of value in it if carefully examined. Robinson makes some valid points in her political declarations: democracy is being threatened by gagging any councillor. Council should remind obstreperous members who disrupt and obstruct debate of the rules of debate. Proper and respectful debate is absolutely essential in all municipal council discussions. A disruptive councillor must be reminded about the rules of engagement and if cooperation and abiding by them is problematic, the councillor must lose the right to speak. If the councillor continues acting in a disruptive mode, forceful removal from council chambers is a legitimate consideration. However, as time consuming and challenging as that councillor may be they must be given full opportunity to voice their opinions, input their political views and publically air their side. Otherwise, democracy is being gagged, not practiced. Voters are not being allowed to have their elected representative take a proper seat at council.

Mayor Ashe has been fair and just in his dealing with Councillor Robinson. He has given her numerous opportunities to voice her position. Those opportunities have a practical limit of time and Ashe is correct in concluding that the limit has been reached with Robinson. 

However, Robinson seems impervious to the many reminders about the rules of debate, the principles of proper discussion. She seems to take the stand that she has the unlimited right to input and comment in municipal debates as she pleases. This cannot be so. Ashe has carried out his role properly as chair of municipal discussion fully, patiently and responsibly, but even Job’s patience would reach its limits with the continuous and unending interruptions of Councillor Robinson.

Robinson has a right to air her grievances and her political views. However, she has been given ample time and full and proper opportunity to do this. She is not entitled to more. Yet she demands more opportunity, more council time and her demands are out of line with the rules of debate and respectful social interaction. She should be cut off and has been. To no avail as she continued her disruption. Ejection failed to mute her declarations. Sanctioning her salary may have been taking matters too far though it would seem if her continued disruption with public declarations left no alternative for the City, sanction was appropriate.

The City, the province and their elected leaders need not consider other alternatives as there are none. The resolution to the situation lies in the hands of the electorate.