Late Night with Thunder Bay City Council is not a TV show Robert Tuchenhagen wants any part of starring in.
Frustrated by council meetings that at times have dragged into the wee hours of the early morning and by what he sees as electioneering by some councillors looking for airtime, the outgoing councillor plans to table a trio of resolutions aimed at putting an end to the problem.
The first, which would set an automatic 11:30 p.m. end to council meetings, is on Monday’s agenda, as is the second, which would limit each councillors to three questions per round. The third, that would stop Shaw Cable from broadcasting meetings within six months of a municipal election, is coming soon, he said.
"It’s my experience that this council is the worst as far as having run-on meetings. And I think it’s just a function of the personalities involved. There are a few personalities there who like to talk. I don’t want to be mean-spirited, but I don’t know if their spouse doesn’t let them talk at home, or if they have no one to talk to at home," Tuchenhagen said.
"It’s like an opportunity to come to a council meeting and shoot the breeze for the evening."
It’s the taxpayer who suffers when meetings run as late as 3 a.m., a rare occurrence in past years, but something that is happening with more and more frequency this term, Tuchagen said.
"It’s the responsibility of council to at least try to make intelligent decisions for the taxpayers. Quite honestly, I don’t think you’re able to do that at two o’clock in the morning," said Tuchenhagen, who does not intend to offer his name for re-election in McKellar Ward in October.
"These are multi-million decisions, quite often … Certainly in my own personal life or my business life I don’t stay up until three in the morning and try to figure out all the problems at home or in the business. It doesn’t work. I think most intelligent people don’t do that."
Tuchenhagen said finding the right to re-schedule meetings that are called off the 11:30 deadline could be the major stumbling block to his proposal.
That’s precisely the thought of at-large Coun. Iain Angus.
"Oh, if it were only that simple," Angus said when reached by email on Friday afternoon. "If his 11:30 motion passed that means we would have to keep all Tuesdays open just in case. Too often a number of other meetings are held on those nights and we are to attend."
Coun. Larry Hebert said he understands where Tuchenhagen is coming from, but that he sits on two boards that meet on Tuesday. Hebert then questioned his fellow councillor's motive.
"We have had some major issues before us and I always wonder how effective we are after midnight, but whey didn't Robert raise these issues earlier if he was that concerened? Is he politicking to keep the Tuchenhagen name in the media since his mother is running for council?"
Coun. Andrew Foulds said it's up to the meeting's chair to keep councillors on topic and the rules are already in place.
"It the chair believes a line of questioning is appropriate, then it is their judgment," Foulds said. "If another member of council disagrees, then as I understand they can raise a point of order.
"Democracy is sometimes messy. That's the nature of it. Sometimes it takes a long time. Citizens elect officials to scrutinize issues, policy and future plans. They deserve no less. That does mean time."
As for his question limit proposal, Tuchenhagen said it’s not his intent to limit debate. Council would still be free to ask as many questions as they want, just not all at once. The reason, he said, is that some councillors monopolize the floor and ask "every question imaginable."
"It’s my belief is what’s happening now is you’ll have a councillor coming out asking a dozen questions and there are some other councillors sitting back saying, ‘Gee, I better ask some questions now too, or it’s going to look like I’m not interested and I’m not getting any airtime.’"
Angus suggested this might help shorten meetings.
"This will force some discipline and may result in less time being used," he said.
Tuchenhagen said he knows the public enjoys watching televised meetings, but too many councillors are speaking to the cameras.
"It’s changing the meeting from a council meeting to just another opportunity to campaign and I think that’s just an abuse of the process."
Angus disagreed, saying the public has a right to watch council meetings up until an election and the increased airtime could also damage an incumbent’s chances at the polls.
"Those who go on and on are just as likely to lose votes, not gain them," Angus said.
