Many stunned faces at North Bay City Hall Monday morning as Deputy Mayor Sean Lawlor tendered his resignation effective immediately.
There were was great speculation at City Hall this morning as people tried to figure out why Lawlor had called a snap news conference, some of the folks attending Mayor Al McDonald’s, news conference earlier in the day floated out the idea that he was announcing a run for the Mayor’s chair or even the Federal Liberal nomination, but no one had predicted his resignation.
Lawlor made no bones about the fact the continued personal attacks and animosity at the council table has made it extremely difficult for him to conduct the business of council.
“I regret to say that I have not seen any improvement over the past three years in arriving at a means of conducting civil debate on the measures that should be taken to deal with escalating, unsustainable municipal budgets, in the midst of the financial challenges that our city is facing.”
“Today I am announcing my resignation as Deputy Mayor and Budget Chief, and as a member of the Council of the City of North Bay, effective immediately.” “Within the next month, my family and I will be moving out West to pursue a business opportunity that has recently presented itself.”
Lawlor made the surprising announcement on the stairs in the main foyer of City Hall following a news conference held by Mayor Al McDonald who called on council to pull together and get the budget passed.
Full text of Lawlor's speech below as well as video.
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Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to attend.
As many of you know, for several years, as President of the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce, I advocated the need for restraint in city budgeting. Following my election to city council several years ago and my appointment as Deputy Mayor last year, I was pleased to see that council accepted some of the recommendations that the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce had promoted over the years.
However, those of you who follow the affairs of council have probably noticed that support for the restraint measures that I have promoted is by no means unanimous on this council, leading to much acrimony and dissention. As a matter of fact, efforts to arrive at majority support for difficult budget restraint decisions has repeatedly led to personal attacks on individuals, rather than a focus on the merits of the important issues at hand.
Sadly, this attack on individuals has prevailed, not only when councilors disagree with other councilors, but also when members of the public have expressed dissenting opinions in their public presentations to council. It seems that no effort has been taken by the presiding officer to check this tendency, leading some people to feel intimidated about making public presentations to council. It is my perception that there is considerable consternation at the council table, --- consternation which I believe has detracted from the effective functioning of council --- since I recognize that, with the notable exceptions of Councillor Anthony and Councillor Maroosis, there is not a heavy appetite on this council to embrace the strong measures that I believe are necessary to address the serious challenges facing this city. You will recall that I detailed these challenges in considerable depth in a presentation last year.
I regret to say that I have not seen any improvement over the past three years in arriving at a means of conducting civil debate on the measures that should be taken to deal with escalating, unsustainable municipal budgets, in the midst of the financial challenges that our city is facing.
Today I am announcing my resignation as Deputy Mayor and Budget Chief, and as a member of the Council of the City of North Bay, effective immediately.
Within the next month, my family and I will be moving out West to pursue a business opportunity that has recently presented itself.
With my departure, it is my hope that it will be possible for council to move beyond the wrangling that has been such a distraction from the important business of council, and get on with completing the budget in an efficient and effective manner, while, at the same time, restoring civility and respect among council members, and in relations with those members of the public who may express dissenting opinions on municipal issues.
At this time, I would like to thank those of you who have supported my strategies to address the financial challenges of our city and wish you well in your continuing efforts.
To the citizens of North Bay, who have been so supportive of my philosophy and approach over the past five years, I would suggest that you maintain your determination to ensure that fiscal restraint remains a priority at city hall. Because many people on council believe that lack of public involvement in the budget process is a sign of support, it is important that you continue to present your positions forcefully and respectfully.
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