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BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Missing in action

Concerns are growing about Peter McClean’s abscence from Coldstream council meetings
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Morning Star file photo There is debate at Coldstream’s municipal office about Coun. Peter McClean’s attendance at meetings.

Now most of us have jobs or have had jobs, and we understand that once hired, you are expected to show up for regular shifts. Yes there are holidays but you just can’t disappear for extended periods of time.

All of this comes to mind as some Coldstream council members express concern about Peter McClean’s attendance record. He has been at two meetings and missed 12 since November because he’s in Arizona.

“When you sign on to council, you’ve got to be here,” said Mayor Jim Garlick.

McClean, obviously, defends his actions, pointing out that he has been reviewing agendas while away and he would participate in discussions if a Skype option was available.

“Despite efforts to get council into the 20th century, they still have yet to create the policy to allow us to attend meetings via the Internet while away; something commonly done in the digital world today,” he said.

McClean is correct that conference call capabilities exist, and while they are reasonably effective, they don’t make up for the one-on-one dialogue that occurs when all of the individuals are physically together. Being at the same table, you can observe the body language that’s often more revealing than the actual words said.

But more importantly in a democracy such as ours, residents have a right to see their elected officials in action. It allows for transparency.

Now just like your average working stiff, politicians earn a salary — $14,939 for McClean in 2015. Now it may not seem like much, but everyone running for council knew the pay scale and the expectations, particularly that there were so many council and committee meetings a year.

McClean insists he is reviewing agendas while in Arizona, but for what purpose? It’s not like he’s at the actual council meetings to discuss the staff reports.

In fact, his absence is creating a governance vacuum as without him, there are only six council members present and tie votes are possible. Under legislation, no matter how important the issue, it’s dead on the floor if there’s a tie.

Such a situation arose recently over an application from Coral Beach Farms for a farm housing variance.

During an interview with reporter Jennifer Smith, McClean bemoaned his colleague’s actions.

“Unfortunately council cast their vote on Monday and I just hope that the agricultural community is paying attention to how they are and can be treated with so little regard,” he said.

But the council members who voted against the variance shouldn’t be criticized too heavily. At least they were at the meeting. If McClean felt so strongly about the issue and the importance of agriculture, he could have been there and put his vote on the record.

McClean’s goal is to return to regular duties at the beginning of April, meaning he won’t be in contravention of provincial rules that prevent civic leaders from being absent from more than three consecutive meetings (I know of politicians missing meetings in other jurisdictions as well, but they are fighting life-threatening illnesses).

Once back in Coldstream, McClean may hear from residents. Likely there will be those who understand the need to escape cold, dreary winters. But there will be others who believe that the contract between employee (councillor) and employer (taxpayer) has been breached.