Dashed hopes?
I always begin a new legislative session with high hopes that some of the offenses of the previous legislatures will be corrected. IÂ saw the new Council Chair, pass the gavel, as required, to present legislation which he sponsored.
This was not a suprise. That came when the Vice-Chair did not take the gavel and failed to take charge of the meeting.
As soon as the Chair had said his piece, the vice chair passed the gavel back and began speaking about the legislation.
This violates Council procedure, specifically the rules of debate, and Roberts rules, both of which I have attached here.
METHUEN CITY COUNCIL RULES AND PROCEDURES Amended February 2008
RULE X – RULES OF DEBATE
e) The Chairman of the City Council may call the Vice-Chairman or other member who he/she may appoint to the Chair who may preside during the meeting; and when out of the Chair may participate in any debate, but shall not resume the Chair while the same question is pending, provided the same is taken previous to adjournment.
ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER REVISED by General Henry M. Robert 1915 Version, Public Domain
ART. X. THE OFFICERS AND THE MINUTES.
58. Chairman or President.
The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair and takes part in the debate. This should rarely be done, and nothing can justify it in a case where much feeling is shown and there is a liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to control those who are on the opposite side of the question. There is nothing to justify the unfortunate habit some chairmen have of constantly speaking on questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the floor. One who expects to take an active part in debate should never accept the chair, or at least should not resume the chair, after having made his speech, until after the pending question is disposed of.1 The presiding officer of a large assembly should never be chosen for any reason except his ability to preside.