Richard A. Mola Mayor of Elmwood Park |
By adopting a motion to Lay on the Table, a majority has the power to halt consideration of a question immediately without debate. Such action violates the rights of the minority and individual members if it is for any other purpose than the one stated in the first sentence of this section (i.e. to set a pending question aside temporarily when something else of immediate urgency has arisen. (RONR (10th ed.) p. 202, l. 8-13)Note that Mayor Mola--apparently erroneously accepting the motion as one to Lay on the Table--did not allow any debate or discussion on Councilman Martino's motion. And, such suppression of debate and discussion motivates me to write to you about this issue. Had Councilman Martino's "tabling" motion passed, a debate on the main question would have been terminated. But, had Councilman Martino correctly stated his motion as one to Postpone to a Certain Time (or had Mayor Mola accepted the motion as one to Postpone to a Certain Time), it would have been both debatable and amendable. (RONR (10th ed.) p. 174, l. 19-27). Accordingly, discussion was suppressed that should have occurred.
the right of the public to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of public bodies, is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process. (N.J.S.A. 10:4-7.)The Elmwood Park Council's misunderstanding of the Motion to Lay on the Table works against this Legislative pronouncement by suppressing discussion and debate that ought to have occurred. Accordingly, I ask that the Mayor and Council review Robert's Rules of Order--particularly the sections dealing with the Motion to Lay on the Table--to ensure that the motion is used properly in the future.