‘It’s time to move on’

of the lawyer for a noon hour incamera session.

Coun. Peter Muttart stated that council understood the decision made by the UARB and could accept it or not.

“I was not aware that an ‘ask’ was made,” he said.

Some time later, CAO Tom MacEwan read an e-mail message from lawyer Kevin Latimer, indicating his unwillingness to comment before the public on grounds for an appeal.

Coun. Kim MacQuarrie said she’d read the UARB ruling and was prepared to discuss the issues in public before the county residents sitting in a very full gallery “who’ve taken time out to be here right now.”

Coun. Jim Windsor made a motion to accept the UARB decision and move forward.

He said he’d heard “loud and clear that we need to reduce the size of council. Please listen to our people. We don’t want to embarrass our council any further.”

Veteran Coun. Wayne Atwater, the sole vote for the in-camera consultation and against an appeal, pointedly told Muttart, “You’re not mayor yet.”

Later, Atwater told Windsor that he’d heard the villages weren’t all happy with the decision and added, “I’m not prepared to make a decision today in spite of your yapping.”

The muttering began in the public gallery shortly after the meeting began. At one point, a man whispered loudly, “This is the best ever.”

When comments from the citizens on hand were invited, 10 people stood up and Black River resident Warren Peck noted he and others were there due to a lack of trust.

New Minas resident Pierre Cloutier questioned whether a “smoke screen” had been raised to do an end run around the UARB decision.

“I urge you to accept nine districts and go forward,” he said.

Lane Myers of Harmony asked councillors to accept the scathing criticism of the UARB and its decision.

Citing Atwater’s remarks, Nancy Saul-Demers called upon the council to act respectfully and transparently if it really valued community engagement.

Coun. Patricia Bishop said she hoped a culture of fear wasn’t being cultivated regarding the knowledge required for councillors to make a decision. The council’s decision will not be final until the matter comes before a council meeting, with a final vote taking place Aug. 2.

“Nine districts is well within what the public wanted,” Coun. Pauline Raven said.

Raven referenced media reports by The Herald, quoting the warden raising the possibility of council mulling over an appeal, but she didn’t think that was wanted by residents.

“Since the UARB made a decision,” stated Coun. Dale Lloyd, “I don’t need a lawyer to tell me what to do.”

After listening to the public, Coun. Mike Ennis said, “I’ve heard the voices after the decision saying move in the direction of eight districts.”

Deputy Warden Brian Hirtle added, “it’s time to react to comments from the public. I’m not sure if we’ll ever know the perfect numbers, but it’s time to move on.”

Warden Diana Brothers asked to clarify one media representation, saying she did not insinuate an appeal was on the horizon.

Brothers said new maps showing nine districts are already in the works and she hoped the change could go forward.