There were fireworks at the CBRM council meeting on Tuesday night, but also a refreshing moment that offered a glimpse of our potential by one councillor in particular.

In support of a request by New Dawn for funding, Councillor McDougall lit up the council chambers in a showcase of passion, leadership, and the kind of "can do" attitude that we need for progress - or survival.

In so doing, she gave us a preview of the type of leader that is possible in the next generation of CBRM management. It was a portal into the future, offering us a sampling of what the upcoming talented, energized, career-aged professionals, have to offer... once they embrace their potential for taking on political roles. In contrast, the mayor and several other councillors seemed more focused on emphasizing how broke the municipality is.

Since Mayor Clarke announced that he was calling it quits at the end of his current term, immediately after winning reelection by a narrow margin and a large loss of voter support in 2016, perhaps it's time to start getting comfortable with the idea of Mayor McDougall. Give it some thought.

At the end of Tuesday's long council session, Mayor Clarke attempted to stifle McDougall's free speech, going after her for an open letter she was cosignatory to, as well as critical comments she made in the media.

She didn't stay silent. In fact, she fully and assertively rebutted the mayor, defended her conduct, refused to apologize, stood her ground, and called the mayor out for twisting her words. The mayor appeared somewhat shaken by the exchange but continued to push the agenda item until adjournment. Councillors Coombes and MacMullin provided their support for her position.

We were certainly given a strong reason why we have good things to look forward to with the new leaders that are emerging, McDougall key among them.

NOTE: The views expressed above are my own and do not represent lokol (goCapeBreton.com). Read more

UPDATE Dec 13th, 2017: I am adding a link to the Councillor's Facebook page below. To keep up to date with her activities as councillor, please click Like below.