Editor:
Re: Our View: Limiting council debate feels like a drastic option, Record, July 25
The latest polemic about councillors being long-winded is just a little bit more than pathetic. Coun. Mary Trentadue's motion to ask staff to report back on efficiency reminds me of the little kid's nursery rhyme: "Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man, bake me a cake as fast as you can.”
Can the councillors not discuss this among themselves or are we in grade school? Is it not the job of Mayor Jonathan Cote to remind or pull people into line, with respect, if he thinks there is too much confab?
Is this an issue to take up the time of staff? Is it the best we can expect from our leaders when so many important and serious issues are before us, issues that need debate, not constraint?
As for the time it takes at the odd meeting where important or contentious issues are at stake, it is important to me and to others I have spoken with, to hear not only from the residents but as well from the council whose members are well-paid for their time and should be expected to make well-thought-out contributions.
Bill Zander, New Westminster
