Summerside -
A change to the hours of operation at the MacNaught History Centre made by city management was tossed out by city council Monday night after a heated exchange between the mayor and two councillors.
At issue was a decision by management to reduce the hours at the MacNaught History Centre from five days a week to two. That decision was made without consultation with council as a whole and opposed publicly by centre users and Coun. Norma McColeman.
After nearly two hours of discussion, debate and loss of tempers, council voted 6-2 to reinstate the hours and by a vote of 7-1 to strike a committee comprised of heritage stakeholders and the city to develop a comprehensive plan for heritage in the future.
The main conflict came between Mayor Basil Stewart, who supported reinstating the hours, and Coun. Brent Gallant, chair of the economic development committee, who backed management's decision and wanted a closer look at the dollars spent on heritage to see if the city is getting the biggest bang for its buck.
In what appeared to be a pre-arranged process, following a presentation by supporters of the MacNaught Centre, Stewart called for a consensus of council to see if they wanted to overturn management's decision.
Gallant protested, saying he wanted an opportunity to present the reasons behind the cutback.
Deputy Mayor Bruce MacDougall called for the consensus.
Gallant wanted to speak prior to any consensus.
"You're asking for a consensus before you hear all the information," Gallant said.
Stewart, banging his gavel, said, "Go around the room to get a consensus," cutting Gallant off from the discussion at that point.
Coun. Vance Bridges took the floor, lauding the initiatives of the heritage program within the city but adding the cost issues must be addressed. But Bridges didn't specifically say he was consenting to reinstating the hours.
Stewart questioned Bridges as to whether he was in favour of reinstating the hours.
Gallant objected loudly to Stewart's question, saying Stewart couldn't do that.
Stewart threatened to have Gallant removed from the council chambers.
"We're going to find out who's in charge around here," Stewart said.
The next issue came when Coun. Garth Lyle, who has repeatedly questioned the amount of money the city spends on heritage, asked to have management speak and give their reasons why they decided to cut back the hours.
Lyle made his request twice to council and never got it.
After the meeting, Gallant said he didn't think he was set up for defeat.
"What it came to was the heritage society was here in full force," he said. "I truly endorse heritage in the community but that coupled with trying to alleviate the overages in the particular project."
Gallant said the heritage program continuously is over budget, sometimes to the tune of $200,000.
"We cannot continue to go over budget. It leads to two things - either tax increases or cutback in services… I'm disappointed that council superseded management's decision."
Gallant said staff not being able to give their side of the issue was wrong.
"Without it we really haven't made an informed decision," he said.
Stewart said when the consensus was first called, he suggested a motion be placed on the floor because it is binding on all councillors.
"Sometimes consensus might be made but it's only a consensus," he said.
Stewart said management's decision was documented in information sent to council prior to Monday's meeting.
The department head was at the meeting and Stewart said: "He's certainly free to speak if he wants."
