Should the “Lisa Robinson” issue be moved off the council table? Two council meetings had numerous delegates speaking to the issue, the council meetings in February and March. The issue is very serious and quite caustic. However, the responsibilities of the Pickering Council are much broader than dealing with this singular issue. The issue is important and most definitely should have been discussed and resolved by the councillors. Two meetings would seem to be adequate time to devote to it.
This issue is such that it can never be brought to closure as the opinions pro and cons are endless.
Let’s sum up and close the issue as a City Council agenda item
First, the ‘Lisa Robinson issue’ is the controversy that was stirred up by Ward 1 Councillor Lisa Robinson’s actions and statements regarding the flying of the LGBTQ+ flag and the celebration of Black History Month. The outcry in response to Robinson was that she was a racist and a bigot.
Several communities and many people responded vehemently to Robinson, possibly with little regard for her actual position.
Is there more to her position than meets the eye
It is easy to view the surface of Robinson’s position. Many too quickly criticize her position without giving her logic more thought.
For a moment, overlook the racist heat that her position generates and consider the full thrust of the position. Robinson could be explaining that highlighting one faction is ignoring another. Hence, celebrating Black History Month means disregarding other important issues and factions in the community. She adds that either all months must be included or the singular one must be removed. That view has logic to it.
Beating a dead horse
The City council continues accepting delegates criticizing or supporting Robinson. Maybe it is time to stop. This is not to say the issue is to be disregarded or shelved. Every instance of racism, prejudice and hate must be attended to and addressed. But council meetings deal with many more issues requiring more time, consideration and urgency.
A disappointing image of the Council
The City councillors should consider how these kinds of issues divide the councillors and dilute their effectiveness. Furthermore, cabinet solidarity is a government practice used for a reason. This council seems to have forgotten or overlooked its importance. Certainly, differing views among councillors has the benefit of broader considerations but constant division and polarization of councillors cannot be beneficial to the governing of the City.
Police state
Finally, there’s something drastically amiss when a city council meeting has the police removing people as trespassers.
The council has the capability and capacity to find better ways to deal with potentially heated and controversial issues.
READERS’ COMMENTS
- It is very difficult to deny residents who sign up to delegate and speak up against racism, prejudice and hate.
- Once the issue has been ‘dealt with’ and addressed does not mean that it has gone away. Council IS united and voted against racism, prejudice and hate. A 6 to 1 vote is very clearly recorded as 6 against and 1 for!
- There is no disappointment of this City Council. They are united against a racist idea that the LGBTQ+ flag and celebration of Black History Month ignores other factions or issues. The missing link is that there are many other months dedicated to important factions and special groups.
- City Council did the right thing by having police remove an individual who continued to disrupt after warnings were issued. Everyone has the right to protest and speak their mind by registering as a delegate and voice their concerns or issues that they feel are important. Peggy B.
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- Removal of Question Period by Council is erroneous
The Council voted to remove Question Period from the Council Meetings. This may be an erroneous decision if one considers that residents no longer have the opportunity to ask questions freely but are relegated to the ‘delegation process.’ Free speech is being restricted for the sake of council meeting expediency. - The council also disallowed photo recording in future meetings. Once again, the freedom of information is being eroded. People should have the right to photograph public meetings for their personal records. The risk of misuse of photo records should be pursued as required but not by cutting off people’s rights to access and record public meeting information.
- There seems to be a problem in the transcription of certain councillor’s information. Video recording of Councillor Robinson’s council meetings dialogue has transcription glitches removing portions of her statements. This problem did not appear in other councillors’ statements. This technical issue needs some attention.______________________Councillor Lisa Robinson
