By Armchair Mayor

ROTHENBURGER: Why are Cavers’ motions still allowed in council agendas?

Apr 1, 2019 | 7:11 AM

KAMLOOPS — ANOTHER MEETING of Kamloops City council this week and another notice of motion from former councillor Donovan Cavers.

It seems we are doomed to forever live in the World According to Cavers (to borrow from novelist John Irving). On the day he departed from the council after his defeat in last fall’s civic elections, Cavers bequeathed not one, not two but 11 — count ’em, 11 — notices of motion.

Never mind that he wouldn’t be around to present them, debate them or vote on them. Five months later, they’re still showing up on council agendas.

The new council has politely scheduled them into its meetings, then ignored them each time they come up.

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One by one, each Cavers Motion dies on the vine, un-seconded, unappreciated and unrequited.

In fairness, some of his motions would have been worth at least a sniff if he was still on council.

For example, the one on a public engagement advisory committee, another on using plain language in City documents. Others, not so much — like growing gourds in City flower beds.

Tomorrow’s Cavers motion is about reviewing the City’s commercial tax rates to ensure competitiveness with other similarly sized B.C. cities. In view of the City’s penchant over the past several years for trying to react to pressure from industry to shift taxes onto homeowners, this is a topic worthy of discussion.

It will, no doubt, be relegated to the circular file along with the rest of them.

But here’s the real point: why should a former councillor have the privilege of taking up so much space on City council agendas?

Former public representatives deserve respect for the service they’ve given but notices of motion should terminate with the term of office of the mover.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.