Liam Lahey Contributing Writer AN attempt by North Vancouver City Coun. Bob Fearnley to reduce the number of issues council deals with behind ciosed doors was defeated following recent acrimonious debate. In his report, Fearnley said that “late in-camera meetings are sometimes used to prevent potentially embar- rassing items and other mat- ters from being aired in a fully public setting.” Among Fearnley’s sugges- tions was 2 call for a public policy committee meeting on the issue in the near future. Fearnley also said in his report that “if municipal employees or elected munici- pal officials trv to hide things out of a fear of embarrass- ment, then they risk a far greater embarrassment if found out.” Before = pouncing — on Fearnley’s wording of the report, council voted unani- mously to return to their pol- icv of ratifying in-camera items held late at night, at the following council meeting. With those niceties out of the way, the swords came out in full force. “IT think we're misleading the public when the word Shiding’ is used, what exactly are we hiding?” asked a per- turbed Coun. John Braithwaite. : Coun. Barbara Perrault lambasted Fearnley for sug- gesting council was ‘hiding’ something. “Everyone can hear what we've saying, everything is open to the public,” she said, pointing to the Rogers Cable TV cameras in the chamber. “When in-camera items are finished being dealt with, they're always brought out betore the public. If the con- cern here is dealing with items late into the night, I’m not a clock-watcher, I’m will- _ ing to stay here until the ~ work is done ... J really don’t see. the point to this (Fearnley’s motion).” In an attempt to quell the uprising before him, Fearnley interjected that he was only . seeking a return to council's - original policy of ratifying late in-camera items at the folluv'ing council meeting, rather than return to 2 vacant chamber to ratify them. Bur his reasoning fell on deaf ears; the onslaught con- tinued. “What this is about is appearance and perception and appearing to be forth- right, Fearnley said. “There’s a concept we should grasp here, we shouldn’t con- sider too many matters in- camera. Over the years, the evolvement of government has gone to a more open sys- tem.” “Some items in-camera are there for flimsy reasons, in these cases we should refer them as side issues,” he said. “There’s a fot of things we've done that have no place in-camera. For exam- ple, we have a sister city in Japan and we considered sending the whole council to Japan, that’s where we should have discussed it out in the open.” But the other councillors took. extreme exception to Fearnley’s motion. ~There are a dot of inn endoes in this report sugh as “to prevent potential embar rassing situaniadis: or “tow many matters in camera’, F suggest this whee report leads to avoiding embarrass Ing situations, thete’s net a Jor] feel embarrassed about.” said Sharp. “LE keep hearing the word north vancouver City Council ‘percepuon, chat somehow there’s people out there thinking we're skulking around doing scmething dis honest,” Perrault: atfered. “I took the Lime to speak with some council watchers and I asked them: af they thougit we consider Coo many items mleamera and net one persen said thar was the case. T tcel there's a problem here, and the city clerk in his: repert dettly phrased it) ne public or press complaints °- after Iwo vears why is) Conn Fearaley bringing uhis for the season for NS Wednesday. December 9, 1998 - North Shore News - 17 N. Van City ‘hides’ nothing in camera ward?” Only Loucks offered to support Fearnley’s motion, The mayor said since council had neghing to hide. there was nerhing to lose in allowing a public policy com mittee to take place to address the issuc. But council voted 5 2 ta defeat Fearnley ’s motien tor BOOTS AND ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR FOR McN, WOMEN AND «Nine West - Enzo Angiolini - Luca B. for Calico » Kenneth Cole » Liz Claiborne « Nicole » Steve Madden - Skechers « Via Spiga » Nickels + Aerosoles « Hush Puppies - Rockport » College » Santana - Tommy Hilfiger a public policy meeting, with Mayor Loucks casting the only veto in support. Christmas Gift Suggestions STERLING PICTURE FRAMES 1637 Lonsdale Ave. = 1730 Manne Ds. Norzh Fancourer West Vancouver « Sperry » Prospector « Distinction « Retreat - Nike « Reebok » Brooks » And more! Selection varies by store. Savings on regular ticketed prices. Offer excludes Factory Outlet. Personal Shopping Only. www.satons.com SALE ON NOW!