Ramsey Commissioner Lamara Craine has claimed that there were attempts to thwart the democratic due process during a Ramsey Commissioners meeting.
The commissioner posted her response following her motion to trial pedestrianisation in Ramsey was voted against by fellow commissioners.
In a post Lamara said: “I just want to say that I was saddened, but not surprised, that there were attempts to thwart the democratic due process during the meeting. It shows a lack of respect for democracy and myself as a commissioner.
“Three motion proposals were tabled in writing before the meeting. During the meeting, we arrived at my notices of motion. The floor was passed to me and I spoke about the scheme in general and then the floor was opened up to comments.”
Reject All Considerations of Pedestrianisation
She claims that Adam Beighton stepped in with a proposal to reject all considerations of pedestrianisation.
Lamara says that “this should have not been accepted by the Chair, Robert Cowell, as three proposals had been tabled in writing. It was only upon my protest, and with great reluctance, that it was considered that my proposals must be considered first”.
She added: “The first proposal was read out by the Chair, which is typically read out by the person putting it forward but despite this process being done many times, this opportunity was not afforded to me (no doubt due to the sentiment of the Chair and other commissioners not wishing to discuss the matter).
“The first proposal failed and the second proposal was read out and was not considered due to semantics and wording, rather than considering the proposal on its merits and allowing me to read it out as is usual and make amendments as necessary following the first proposal failing.
“The Chair without the second proposal being considered, moved onto the third proposal and tried to bypass the second.”
Democratic Process
She concluded her post by saying: “Anyway, the point is, that democracy is democracy. I tabled the motions. I gave plenty of notice.
“I publicised my motions to the hilt so people had the opportunity to get involved in the democratic process and consider the scheme and proposals. Even if the Chair and my fellow commissioners disagree and see no merit in my proposals, the usual process should be followed.
“I’m going to take some breaks from social media now as I’m exhausted from responding to comments but mostly from receiving hate and disrespect.”
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