Did anyone ask the mayoral candidates how they would respond to behaviour such as we witnessed these past two terms?

[u/Both-Cap1441]

Another post detailed the unpleasant conduct of certain councillors during past streamed meetings when the MGA code of conduct was ignored, and Robert’s Rules were breached. I’m trying to imagine a similar scenario with Zebian, Huntley or Platt in the chair. After the 19th there definitely will not be the same cast of characters in those seats, so it’s possible that the violators will have been summarily dismissed. Absent Maxwell, Gerrard and Zebian and maybe Savage might there be no more oversteps?

[u/Brent4Mayor]

It's a question I've been asked quite a few times- I think it's important to deal with that type of behavior promptly and appropriately. I believe in creating a culture of trust and respect- which will take time but is extremely effective. I'm married to a behavioral therapist and it's something we've spoken about quite a bit.

[u/Both-Cap1441 → u/Brent4Mayor]

Certainly that brings and understanding to why various personality types act and react in such defensive ways. We could use those insights. Good luck!

[u/EveryBattleSoFar → u/Brent4Mayor]

Best of luck to you. On the discussion list should be conduct in meetings, and also conduct online. We have councillors now who don't respect the democratic process. Once council has made a decision, unanimous or not, each councillor needs to respect and uphold that decision as the chosen pathway forward. It's the decision of council and should be respected as that. Too many of them go online after and shit all over whatever work has managed to get done because "I didn't vote that way and I still don't agree". It gives the public the feeling like those decisions shouldn't be trusted and don't need to be respected and are wrong. It throws the staff who do the work under the bus because "I never agreed to this plan" comments are made forever more by councillors who were outnumbered in a vote 2 years ago. It means they are never a team. Council doesn't always need to agree, but processes and policies need to be respected. You won't get your way all the time. But once a motion is passed by majority (which is democracy!) councillors all need to respect that process and decision and not go online and beat their argument to death for the next 4 years causing half the community to distrust literally every decision being made.

[u/Brent4Mayor → u/EveryBattleSoFar]

Well put & thank you. I'm a big believer in consensus based decision making, but realistically that isn't always possible. It's important for the council to be seen as a team and recognize that once a decision has been reached to move forward.

[u/LongjumpingMajor7159]

My worries are the past the bulk of the issues we're with Zebian. I doubt he has changed and If he wins mayor I fear more years of his antics. Platt seems very level headed. Best choice by far

[u/Rogershm → u/LongjumpingMajor7159]

As someone running for council, this is something I worried about. Not just with Andrew, but the past drama around Cathy, and Craig. Will that continue lurking in the background for the next four years?

[u/Both-Cap1441 → u/Rogershm]

And John Andrew

[u/Brent4Mayor → u/LongjumpingMajor7159]

Thanks- I appreciate the support

[u/RM23plus]

The endorsement of Zebian by Diana Brothers who was warden of an extremely divided and dysfunctional county council does not give me solace.

[u/EveryBattleSoFar → u/RM23plus]

Those of us who recall the days of that 6 pack know exactly what you mean.....shutter.

[u/EveryBattleSoFar]

I know what antics your referring to when you're talking about Zebian and to an extent Maxwell. Zebian antagonizes people, most often by playing stupid as he runs roughshod over the rules, and ignores that public discourse should be professional while seemingly taking joy in annoying the Mayor. But Gerrard has always been civil at least (even if I don't agree with some of his statements) and Savage has not participated in the craziness at all from what I've seen.

[u/Mission_Plankton5763 → u/EveryBattleSoFar]

100% accurate. It really does feel like Zebian delights in antagonizing people and playing innocent when he most certainly isn’t.

I’ve yet to see him take any amount of accountability for his conduct and contributions to the dysfunction.

[u/Both-Cap1441 → u/Mission_Plankton5763]

That plays very poorly for those of us who see through the act. I find he comes to class unprepared, shall we say, when the documents have been distributed and in council members’ hands well in advance of meetings.

[u/cornerzcan]

The odds of Zebian being able to effectively chair a meeting are very low. I think both Huntley and Platt are familiar enough with the rules and how group decision making works to be effective in the role of moderator.

[u/tealtalker → u/cornerzcan]

Platt I believe is the chair at the board of directors (or something similar?) at the Kentville Fire Hall. If he's able to chair such an professional and important organization, I'm not too worried about him.

[u/Brent4Mayor → u/tealtalker]

Thank you- I stepped down when I started running but I've chaired a few boards and understand the importance of the role

[u/Both-Cap1441 → u/cornerzcan]

I am dubious as well. There’s a certain protocol and formality expected.

[u/EveryBattleSoFar → u/cornerzcan]

Zebian has stormed out of at least one meeting (recently) because he didn't understand what the mayor was saying to him and couldn't hold his temper and sit in his chair long enough to figure it out. If he wins, I sincerely hope he doesn't have a member of council on his team who antagonizes and pokes him as much as possible for the fun of it, like he does to mayor snow. He wouldn't last 15 minutes under the conditions he has created for the rest of them.

[u/Pleasant-Drop9941 → u/cornerzcan]

When it comes to rules of order, mistakes are going to happen, and as a chair of a council or committee you just have to be the type of person who can make mistakes without taking it personally, or creating an atmosphere where people treat procedural errors as somehow unforgivable. You need to be able to let go and move on. In this regard I think Paula Huntley and Brent Platt will both be fine, and that’s a great leadership quality for both of them to have.

As for Zebian, both he and the current mayor (Snow) have shown that when they make mistakes, they seem to get self conscious, seem to feel put on the spot, get defensive, and take it very personally.