Mayor holds the floor
Goudie chairs meeting remotely
Mayor Sandra Goudie attended her first meeting of the year via a computer screen on Tuesday, but still managed to shut down debate when criticism of her vaccination stance and her refusal so far to sign the local government leader’s climate declaration was raised at the council chamber.
As per meeting protocol, each elected member is allowed time to raise issues of concern to their ratepayers through what’s given as ‘member’s reports’.
It’s a chance for everyone around the table to hear what’s concerning the ratepayers that they represent, and can give valuable insights.
Cr Gary Gotlieb used his member’s report to share how numerous ratepayers had contacted him concerned at the mayor’s stance on “antivaccination”.
He’s not the only person hearing this from ratepayers. It has irked readers of HC Post that they pay rates for their bach and were told to ‘stay home’ and away from the Coromandel by the mayor, who now won’t divulge whether or not she’s vaccinated.
Last year Mayor Goudie said she’d wait for the Novavax vaccine.
She made national headlines last week when she said she now won’t get that one either.
“Point of order Gary, I’m not anti-vaccination, I’ve had vaccinations only a matter of a couple of years ago,” she replied during the meeting.
“Don’t presume to speak on my personal choices in regards to my health. If you want to take up any matters on conduct, you need to refer that to the Audit and Risk Committee, not here in your member’s report.”
Cr Gotlieb replied: “I don’t have a problem with your personal opinion, I have a problem with you as mayor out there promoting your personal opinion, and I get contacted by so many ratepayers about this and I’m sure many of us do,” he said.
“Point of order,” she announced. “If you have a concern over conduct, you take that matter up through the Audit and Risk Committee. After two and a half years I’m sure you know that’s where those matters are raised . . .”
Cr Gotlieb then began to speak about his frustration with the process of this committee.
He was attempting to raise Mayor Goudie’s refusal to sign the local government leader’s climate change declaration that council unanimously supported her to do, as an example.
The mayor followed up the council’s decision with a statement in December that she will consider it during the Christmas and New Year break.
Despite attending this meeting via a computer screen, the mayor was able to cut the debate short.
“If this is just to attack my conduct then I suggest you refer this matter to the Audit and Risk or I’ll do that for you, would you like me to do that for you Gary?”
Said Gotlieb: “This is what I have to contend with all the time for ratepayers . . .”
“Okay I’m going to conclude the member’s reports and now it will be my member’s report,” the mayor announced.
And with this, the mayor — even though not present in the room — had once again taken hold of the floor.