Council ignores parliamentary procedure
To the editor:
The following is an e-mail sent to the Cape Coral mayor and council;
Mayor & Council,
On March 22, the citizens were once again treated to another public meeting lacking proper decorum.
Apparently Councilmember Leetz, believes he’s the sole authority when it comes to “having the floor” and responding when a Point of Order was raised. The fact is that Mr. Leetz was out of order.
When a “Point of Order” is raised it is up to the chair to recognize the “Point” and make a ruling. It is not up to another council member to recognize the point and / or admonish a fellow council member for making the point or ruling on the “Point.”
It seems Mr. Leetz is very sensitive to his privilege in “having the floor.” He displayed this very same attitude last year during budget hearings when he spoke before council. When a Point of Order was raised at that time while Mr. Leetz was speaking, he insisted that he “had the floor.” Obviously Mr. Leetz must still be totally unaware of what motions can interrupt that privilege.
I suggest the elected body read and understand both Council Rules and Roberts Rules of Order. Read what motions can be made that permit or “interrupt” any speaker, (yes including Mr. Leetz) who has the floor. A Point of Order is one such motion and does not require a second. In other words a Point of Order trumps any claim of “having the floor” and must be resolved before business continues.
Ralph LePera
Cape Coral