qathet Regional District’s board of directors will consider censure and sanction measures against Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne over an exchange with resident Kim Barton-Bridges, who appeared as a delegate before the board last year.
At the March 30 regional board meeting, directors were given a report containing a number of points related to what it considered Gisborne’s conduct at two meetings. Chief administrative officer (CAO) Al Radke said the resolution before the board containing the points was only for consideration. He said if the board wishes to move forward, then the proper resolution or proper motion to put on the floor would be something to the effect that: given director Gisborne’s conduct toward Kim Barton-Bridges and at related board meetings, the board wishes to consider imposing a resolution of censure and sanction as presented at the next scheduled open meeting of the board of the qathet Regional District.
Board chair Patrick Brabazon asked if the directors understood what the CAO read as a motion. Brabazon said the first question the board has to answer is: does it wish to proceed further with this?
He said if the motion passed, the board is moving forward and there will be a discussion of sanction.
Gisborne said it seems the board wants to focus on personal and political attacks on members. He said in December 2019, there was a motion to direct staff to prepare a full and complete report regarding his conduct, in consultation with legal council. He added that there is no report.
Gisborne said he believes the initiative is a continuation of Brabazon and the CAO to shut him up.
“It is my opinion that I was censured from the beginning,” said Gisborne.
Electoral Area C director Clay Brander called for a point of order, saying Gisborne’s comments went beyond the scope of what was in front of the board. Brabazon ruled in favour of Brander’s call, but Gisborne challenged the chair’s ruling. The board voted in favour of upholding the chair’s ruling, with Gisborne and Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall opposed.
Radke said if the motion passes, Gisborne would be given the opportunity to provide his response to the censure and sanction at the next board meeting.
“The next meeting would be the appropriate place for that,” said Radke.
Gisborne asked if he would be allowed to respond on social media. Brabazon said the comment was irrelevant because the board does not deal with social media.
Fall said he was going to vote against the resolution because the board is working on a code of conduct, and he said it should be in place before considering censure.
The board voted in favour of the motion regarding censure and sanction to be presented at its next meeting, with Gisborne and Fall opposed.
There was no mention of what censure and sanction measures could be taken against Gisborne.
