Post by Kiwi Frontline on Feb 3, 2016 7:39:31 GMT 12
The Northern Advocate 3/2/16
CASTING VOTES
From time to time a mayor/ chairperson is faced with dealing with an impasse or tie when an agenda item is put to the vote.
Recently our mayor, after having cast a deliberative vote which brought the total vote to a tie, decided that use of the casting vote was in order. As I understand it this casting vote was used to affirm the motion. My past experience on different organisations and businesses is that the chairperson's casting vote should be used to preserve the "status quo". This allows opportunity for the subject to be further researched by councillors and to be re-submitted at a later date.
On the subject of Maori representation on council, I believe there is no mana in this way of dealing with the issue. Far greater status will be accorded to the person who champions their own merits and gets voted onto council for those merits, anything less is pseudo representation. This kind of representation in my opinion is not conducive to building a great nation, it is more likely to split it, after 175 years-plus, it is time to stop picking at the wounds and move on.
I am in agreement with ex councillor Robin Lieffering that we should be one people and this subject should be open for intelligent discussion. (abridged)
J B
Onerahi
CASTING VOTES
From time to time a mayor/ chairperson is faced with dealing with an impasse or tie when an agenda item is put to the vote.
Recently our mayor, after having cast a deliberative vote which brought the total vote to a tie, decided that use of the casting vote was in order. As I understand it this casting vote was used to affirm the motion. My past experience on different organisations and businesses is that the chairperson's casting vote should be used to preserve the "status quo". This allows opportunity for the subject to be further researched by councillors and to be re-submitted at a later date.
On the subject of Maori representation on council, I believe there is no mana in this way of dealing with the issue. Far greater status will be accorded to the person who champions their own merits and gets voted onto council for those merits, anything less is pseudo representation. This kind of representation in my opinion is not conducive to building a great nation, it is more likely to split it, after 175 years-plus, it is time to stop picking at the wounds and move on.
I am in agreement with ex councillor Robin Lieffering that we should be one people and this subject should be open for intelligent discussion. (abridged)
J B
Onerahi