Sorry Jeanne, No Apology Due

by lewwaters

Vancouver city council woman Jeanne Harris at the May 16, 2011 council workshop where changes to the city council ethics policy were being discussed. Just a portion of the over all exchange, but the portion I now believe she expects and has asked to receive a public apology for, as reported in the Columbian newspaper.

Ms. Harris, known for last years “Gavel Down” incident accepted the slap on the wrist deemed appropriate by the first ever council ethics committee. As Larry Smith states, it was imperfect but what council had been given to work with.

Telling her that it was her behavior, not his behavior that brought it about is not verbally attacking, it is pointing out the error of her way.

I am left wondering, will we now see Ms. Harris continue her bizarre behavior while sitting on council? Will she jump at any and every opportunity to “get back” at those she has now decided “wronged” her?

Larry Smith says she has no apology coming and I agree.

Move on, Ms. Harris. Or resign.

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5 Comments to “Sorry Jeanne, No Apology Due”

  1. She can kiss my wide-glide butt.

  2. I think what both Harris and Smith say in your tape snippet is quite well thought out and rational. We used the process available the best we could, but it is a process that obviously needs to be changed.

    Both Harris and Smith, and I think all of us council members agree that changes are needed in that process.

    Thanks for posting this.

  3. Pat, I think all of the council and citizens agree changes are needed. I recall sitting in the audience as you 3 discussed the matter and the concern over doing it properly, being the first time it was ever done here.

    However, I was disheartened to hear you say you felt it was an unfair process back then and never spoke up. All 3 of you expressed concern if the process was appropriate as I recall and made every visible effort to be fair, inlcuding Larry Smith stating he wanted to be sure Jeanne Harris had the opportunity to respond before the October 11 council meeting.

    I will agree, though, that outside people should be included in any such proceedings on a voluntary basis. Some legal and some totally neutral citizens. Hard to find, yes.

    Ultimately, it is a flawed process that I am sure will be changed and will not please everybody. But, will be upgraded to make it as fair as possible.

    The last point I’ll make, if Jeanne Harris really wishes the “Gavel Down” incident to go away, maybe she should stop bringing it up.

  4. I do feel the process itself was and is unfair. (We had better processes we used in the Department of Corrections for disciplinary and classification matters.) The better the process the more likely you are going to get good (never perfect) results.

    You can reach the same conclusions with either fair or unfair processes.

    I know (feelings aside) working together Council will be coming up with a better process.

  5. I have no doubt council will come up with a better policy, Pat.

    Still, even if you did so in private, I think you should have spoken up back then.

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