Board of Aldermen Page 38
September 27, 2016
President McCarthy
| want to address the issue that was just raised. | don’t lightly interfere with the business of our
committee chairs when | am at their meetings. | think it’s disrespectful as long as the proceedings are
going along well and frankly, | think there are members of this Board who would call for my head on a
plate if | did it at the committee’s that they chair, all the more so when the ruling of the committee chair is
correct. The rules on personal point’s privilege are specific to one exacting circumstance and that is
where the allegation that has been made would be disqualifying from participation in the Board if it were
true. There was no such thing before the committee at that point and the chair was well aware of that.
Whether that’s why he ruled that the request was out of order at that point, | don’t know.
Alderman Cookson
A point of personal privilege, Mr. President...
President McCarthy
Alderman Cookson, | am speaking, please wait until | am done. Is there something before us right now
that would disqualify you? If not you don’t have the right to interrupt me while | am speaking. | will
recognize you again when | am done. Whether or not that is the reason that the chair chose to make
that ruling, | don’t know. It is likely that the better approach would have been to ask about the point of
privilege and not allow a speech because frankly, we should take very seriously when we interrupt other
members who are speaking. | believe that the actions of the chair were in fact, reasonably responsible
and if he chooses to apologize to you for that then he may but | don’t believe that his actions were out of
line and the business of the committee was conducted.
Alderman Cookson
When a motion or a point of personal privilege is addressed the correct response is exactly as you just
stated and that is to allow the speaker to continue to address what that point is that he/she perceives to
be the issue. The inappropriate response is to be called out of order.
Committee announcements:
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE THAT THE SEPTEMBER 27, 2016, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
ALDERMEN BE ADJOURNED
MOTION CARRIED
The meeting was declared adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Attest: Patricia D. Piecuch, City Clerk
