Controversy at council?

The Editor,
The population of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge is undergoing, for the third time in a period of 16 months, controversy at council. In fact, there are actually four “delinquent councillors” at the council table, who are systematically blocking other members of council that want to move forward in order to meet the Municipal Code delays.
The citizens of this municipality deserve to know that, withstanding the oath of office that they have signed, those delinquent councillors concert amongst themselves to discredit the mayor and the other members of council.
The following is their "modus operandi": we are actually in a very crucial period. Council must present to the population the budget for 2012. The mayor has to publish the mayor’s report and a five-year plan has to be presented, but nothing can be done because the delinquent councillors do not present themselves at the meeting.
With respect to delays of convocation, a special meeting was called for November 22 at 5 p.m. The delinquent councillors do not attend. The meeting is suspended, because of lack of quorum, and a new meeting is scheduled for November 24 at 7 p.m. Again and for the same reasons, no quorum, the meeting is suspended because the delinquent councillors did not attend.
As taxpayers in as much as all other taxpayers of our municipality, it is imperative this insubordination be ended. At the November 24 meeting, the mayor in retrospect, with the approval of the councillors present (Teresa Foreman and Daniel Gauthier) elaborated on dates suggested for a workshop (caucus) and on the same occasion, the mayor mentioned all the classical excuses given and/or refusals to meet and/or coming to the meeting late and leaving very early in some cases. Why? To prevent and/or make obstruction and/or simply to live with a power trip – control of council.
Enough is enough. The population, and it is a must, has to mobilize itself and attend the monthly council meeting in December. At this meeting the delinquent councillors should be asked the reasons of their concerted actions or at least, they should present some apologies to the population.
The population is entitled to the respect of the elected councillors, the responsibility of the seat they represent and the completion of their mandate for which they were elected.  I do not hesitate to affirm that we are in democracy, but again we must acknowledge the true definition of democracy. We have the right not to be in agreement, but we are not at liberty to impose dictatorship to achieve a goal.
May I remind you, those are the same delinquent councillors who are responsible for the 71-per-cent tax increase over two years and they are also the delinquent councillors responsible for the resignation of Jean-Marc Fillion. Are we to foresee the same tactics toward the actual mayor? Think about it very seriously.

Raymond LaRose,
Regroupement des Citoyens Engagés,
Grenville-sur-la-Rouge