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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County censuring Council Member Thomas Duerr for conduct detrimental to County Council, specifically his actions immediately following the March 22, 2022 regular meeting of Council.
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WHEREAS, Allegheny County Council conducted a regular meeting on March 22, 2022, at which Council President Patrick Catena presided with all members of Council in attendance; and
WHEREAS, while debate during the course of this meeting was, at times, contentious, all members of Council cast their votes appropriately and in accordance with the Rules of Council and all applicable County and Commonwealth law; and
WHEREAS, according to reports made to the presiding officer by multiple members of Council, immediately after the conclusion of the meeting, Council Member Thomas Duerr approached Council Vice President John Palmiere; and
WHEREAS, according to these same reports, Mr. Duerr accosted Vice President Palmiere in a hostile tone of voice and stated to Mr. Palmiere “I always knew you were a [expletive deleted] coward”; and
WHEREAS, it appeared to observers and Vice President Palmiere that this verbal attack was unmistakably based upon one or more votes that Mr. Palmiere had validly cast during the course of the March 22 regular meeting; and
WHEREAS, this conversation took place within the Council’s meeting chamber (the Gold Room), with the vast majority of the members of Council, Council staff, other County employees and contractors, and members of the public present; and
WHEREAS, Article II, §M.1. of the Rules of Allegheny County Council indicate that “Robert’s Rules of Order shall serve as the determinant of proper decorum” ; and
WHEREAS, at §4, Robert’s Rules clearly and unambiguously speak to decorum during debate: “[s]peakers must address their remarks to the chair, maintain a courteous tone, and - especially in reference to any divergence of opinion - should avoid injecting a personal note into debate. To this end,...
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