by Girard Hengen

_ The Review

Se

By invitation only, the press and
public can attend informal town
council/staff meetings which have
been pilloried by some aldermen
and praised by others.

“The purpose of the staff brief=
ings is to ensure we review all the
necessary background informa-
tion,” Mayor Marie Rosko told
council and a packed chambers
Monday during her regular report
on town business.

She invited The Review to
attend the meetings, which have
usually been held every second
Thursday afternoon before regular
council meetings.

However, later in the council
meeting, Jim Lang, past president
of the Sidney Ratepayers Associa-
tion, asked the mayor if the infor-
mal sessions are public meetings.

_ -We’re not adverse to the public

being there but it would have to be © >

by invitation only,” responded
Rosko. ;

She said the meetings are held
in a conference room at the town
hall, and there isn’t enough space
to accommodate a large public

gallery.

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Informal meetings open by invitation

With the sensitive issue having
being raised again, another testy
debate unfolded among council
members from two camps — those
who see the Thursday meetings as
“dress rehearsals” before regular
council meetings, and those who
regard them as useful information
sessions.

Ald. Ted Daly said he would
welcome opening the informal
meetings to the public.

“We'll show there’s nothing to
hide at all.”

Ald. Brenda Harfield repeated
previously expressed sentiments
that the meetings save staff time
and are beneficial.

However, Ald. Bob Jones asked:
“Why not just invite the rest of the

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public and have council meet on
Thursday?”

Firmly opposed to the sessions,
he said discussions: between staff
and aldermen should be aired
during regular council sittings.

Ald. John Calder, who brought
the issue to the fore two weeks ago
when he unsuccessfully asked
council to stop holding the meet-
ings, agreed. He said he fully
Supported having staff reports on
issues, but said it was wrong “to
have a dress rehearsal before the
(council) meeting.”

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TheReview Wednesday, April 24,1991 == A5

M.C. RAPPERS, a group of Grade 4 and 5 Sidney
Elementary school students, went through a full dress
rehearsal last week before the Victoria Music Festival jazz
dance competition, held April 16. The Rappers, have
been invited to the festival’s honors performance, schea-
uled for Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at the University of
Victoria Auditorium. GIRARD HENGEN photo

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