If you were curious why the Women's March on Washington on Saturday was so important, last night's CBRM council meeting might have been a fairly good example.

A nominating committee gave Councillor Amanda McDougall their endorsement for the NS Solid Waste Resource Management Regional Chairs Committee. Despite the committee giving no votes to senior councillor Jim MacLeod, his colleague George MacDonald felt that he was likely best for the job. So MacDonald introduced a motion for council to vote by secret written ballot, instead of accepting Councillor McDougall's nomination.

I was never a big fan of the term mansplaining. However, it did ring a bell as potentially appropriate way to describe the comments from senior councillors that followed.

I'll include a short video that shows some of the more problematic comments, as well as a rebuttal from the youngest councillor serving the CBRM, Kendra Coombes. She rightly dismantled their comments and called them appropriately "null and void".

If you would like to share this video, here is the web address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2Iy3XCgXiA

If you skipped the video, I'll give you the gist.

Clarence Prince explained how you have to "work your way up", and you have to "gain the confidence and the respect".

Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald warned that participating on the committee was "pretty heavy".

I'd like to remind these gentlemen that the three newly elected young women on council have already earned our respect.

Recall that two of them knocked off popular senior councillors to win. The third faced stiff competition in North Sydney, and prevailed. Whether or not they can handle the "heavy" matters has already been resolved as well. When they came out of a meeting where two First Nations chiefs, MLA Geoff MacLellan, HPDP/SHIP executives, and three of Sydney's most prominent businessmen tried to compel their vote... what did they do?

They went to their council seats, stated their concerns, stood their ground, and voted with integrity.

These women have our respect. All three of these new councillors can handle whatever "heavy" stuff council may bring to them. They absolutely should not be underestimated. And they certainly shouldn't be denied the opportunity to serve their community in other roles.

What about experience?

In terms of experience, they might want to consider that Councillor McDougall has a degree in Political Science, has worked directly with ACAP, was a key player in the MV Miner cleanup, and consistently speaks eloquently, intelligently, and with true class before council.

Jim MacLeod certainly put in his years serving his community. However, I think McDougall's curriculum vitae compares quite favorably to a man who makes it a top priority as councillor to drive around looking for street lights that are out, then wrapping them with caution tape to flag the attention of Nova Scotia Power.

With that said, I am quite certain Councillor McDougall can and will do just fine serving with NS Solid Waste Resource Management.

Fortunately, Mayor Cecil Clarke found himself on the losing side of the vote this time. Council voted against the motion to proceed with a secret ballot vote for the position by 7 to 6.

Though Councillor Steve Gillespie seconded the motion, talked himself out of his own appointment on the library committee, and discussed the value of experience (despite his campaign pushing for term limits for Councillors like MacLeod who have served too long); he either changed his mind or hit the wrong button in the end.

With that, Mayor Clarke, and councillors Prince, Eldon MacDonald, Marshall, George MacDonald, and MacLeod cast losing votes.

A special note of appreciation is due to Ivan Doncaster for getting on the right side of this vote.

Here are the names and contact information for Mayor Clarke and the 5 councillors who joined him in voting to circumvent the nomination of Amanda McDougall. I encourage you to share your concerns with them.

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