Maybe it’s a generational thing that’s causing the tension between newcomer, 30-something Corisa Bell and her older colleagues on Maple Ridge council, suggests Dan Olson.
People talk about getting the younger generation involved in politics.
“Then we get threatened when they believe us,” said Olson, one of several council spectators who showed up at Tuesday’s meeting.
Many were dressed in purple, the colour Bell used during her first election campaign in 2011.
“What I see, Corisa is conducting her business in a way that people are not used to,” said Olson, who ran for the federal Liberal party in 2008.
Bell, who’s been at odds with the rest of council in questioning the budget and opposing the construction of Fire Hall No. 6, is taking a populist approach, trying to reflect public concern and asking questions.
“People shouldn’t be offended by that, added Olson.
“It’s unfortunate, some people see this diligence either as a pain in the ass or a threat.”
Bell has also been told her comments over the budget at a June 17 committee meeting could be defamatory, leading the district to remove a section of a video from its website and Bell wondering if she will face a lawsuit.
Olson said it seems to bother people that Bell hasn’t paid her dues in the traditional way and can’t put label on her,” and they can’t figure her out.
“And that is something they have to get over.”
Council and staff should just conduct their own business and answer her questions and let her fail or succeed politically.
Olson didn’t hear Bell’s comments made during the committee of the whole meeting from June 17, but says it seems there wasn’t a legal line crossed. The only recipients of such comments are either council or staff, who are making salaries into the six figures.
“I say, like – don’t be so sensitive.”
It doesn’t mean people can take liberties, Olson added.
“If that’s your biggest problem in politics in doing that job, God bless you.”
He also called on the mayor to tone things down.
“That’s where Mayor [Ernie] Daykin has to take responsibility to settle things down.”
“He’s got to insist on no personalization. He has to call people out of order.”
One of the mayor’s strengths is also his biggest weakness, Olson added.
“He’s too nice of a guy. Now is not the time for niceness. Now is the time for process.” Nobody should take that personally, Olson said.
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows NDP president Bob Goos also showed up at Tuesday’s meeting, along with former NDP MLA Michael Sather.
“It’s become personal,” Goos said. “To me, I was surprised. It didn’t serve the purpose. I’m sort of wondering where does that come from.”
He said the move to get people to show up at the meeting came from two or three places. He put a note on Facebook asking people to show up.
But it’s not an NDP effort, he said. Bell isn’t an NDP member.
He also said characterized Bell as a “populist brand of politician.
“It’s a new way of doing politics at city hall.”
For former Maple Ridge school trustee Katherine Wagner, who served from 1996 to 2005, said she’s “definitely” not an NDP member, and showed up to show her support for Bell.
“To my understanding, it wasn’t partisan,” Wagner said. “It was basically a show of support for her approach and how she’s been doing politics.”
Bell has a more poplulist and Wagner wanted to show that she supports that.
“That’s what people voted for … Maybe it’s a lesson. The world’s changed, a lot, especially with technology and the ability to communicate.”
People are watching council videos online, she added.
But Bell’s approach doesn’t take away from other councillors’ contributions, she added.
The discord, though, bothers her.
“When we elect people, we don’t expect them to be friends. I’m not sure that’s a good idea. But we do expect them to behave like adults,” Wagner said.
“That’s where are our representation is. We don’t elect people to go behind closed doors for three years,” she added.
“I really don’t know what the harm is in questioning, and it’s not personal. I’m sure the rest of them ask questions.”
But it’s difficult for an elected person to go against the accepted way of doing things, she added.
“I think she represents a modern approach to elected representation. It shouldn’t be personal and it’s being made into something personal when it shouldn’t.”
Coun. Michael Morden said he wants to focus on working for the taxpayers.
“We seem to have lost that.”
Coun. Bob Masse disagreed that Bell is isolated on council and said others work with her. But he doesn’t like the conflict or drama and wants council “to work through the rough patch.
“We need to disagree without being disagreeable.”