To the Editor,
Re: Sign-waving stance helps ensure order, Sept. 22.
Regarding the mayor surmising he has ultimate power – that needs to be pushed to the law courts. I should know, I’m one of the people he’s kicked out of council meetings for silently holding up signs, although a year ago he wanted me to make up signs for him and hold them up.
Contrary to what Mayor Bill McKay has hinted at previous council meetings, there has never been a court case to ultimately determine whether the person presiding at a meeting has the sole authority to expel someone under the B.C. Community Charter.
The North Vancouver court ruling McKay uses to back up the city’s opinion deals with a man holding up a sign in the foyer of the municipal hall. The case did not deal with signs being held up in a council chamber, which would be the venue to go to where taxpayers can express their views to the government they elected.
I believe the mayor’s perceived dictatorial powers will not withstand a challenge in a court of law.
Randy StearmanNanaimo
