After weeks of turmoil at Lunenburg town council, things recently came to a head.
Town council took the unusual step of removing Councillor Brian Davis from all committees.
Mayor Rachel Bailey says Davis has been disruptive in council sessions and his refusal to accept the legal advice around in-camera meetings has damaged the relationship between council and residents.
“It’s very difficult to work with someone with whom you can’t have a conversation. The opportunities we have to deal with a councillor who is obstructing the work of council is very limited.”
Davis has raised concerns around the use of in-camera meetings.
Bailey says after several meetings, discussions with the town lawyer and bringing in outside council to explain the meetings were appropriate, Davis still wouldn’t accept the information he was given.
“We had attempted weeks ago to have an in-camera discussion – some of which centred around Councillor Davis’ behaviour and some of the repercussions from that.”
Bailey says Davis’ actions have damaged the relationship between council and residents.
She says council has been unable to move forward with the business of the town because of Davis’ distraction and hopes this action will clear the way and allow council to operate more efficiently.
Lunenburg town council looking to remove Councilor Davis from all committees and limit his input on council #nspoli @ckbwradio pic.twitter.com/ZUTcv3HTt1
— Ed Halverson (@edwardhalverson) February 14, 2017
Meanwhile,
Councillor Davis admits he didn’t see this coming.
In the last session, he went so far as to thank council and the people of Lunenburg for allowing him to ask the questions around in-camera meetings.
Davis says despite the rebuke, he will continue his work as councillor.
“Oh, definitely I’m going to represent the people of Lunenburg the best way I can, even though they’ve voted me off of all these committees.”
Davis says he was surprised to hear the prepared statements from the deputy mayor and his fellow councillors.
He says he was just looking out for residents of the town.
“For me it’s such a muddle of things and I’m just trying to do the best I can. The big thing that I’m doing is making the municipality’s interests my absolute priority.”
Davis says he will continue performing all of his duties, including attending in-camera meetings.
