Saturday, August 16, 2008

Mayor just doesn't get it

Published: August 15, 2008 4:00 PM
Updated: August 16, 2008 8:41 PM


It's increasingly obvious that Coldstream Mayor Gary Corner doesn't understand the severity of firing the community's volunteer fire chief.

Corner has stated that he's more than willing to discuss the matter with the firefighters if he is asked to, but why is he putting the onus on them? It was Corner and his council that dismissed Leo Lecavalier as chief, a position he was elected to by the rank-and-file membership. It should be Corner and his council going to the department and explaining why the decision was made.

Corner also likes to point out that staffing is handled by the chief administrative officer, but it was a decision of council to fire Lecavalier. Politicians can't walk away from something they are ultimately responsible for.

Corner also doesn't expect the municipality to provide any details on the dismissal to the public because personnel matters are confidential under provincial legislation. But while that may be true, it's convenient to hide behind the rules when you know your actions have caused a lot of harm and upset people.

On the other hand, Coun. Bill Firman is showing leadership when he says he will make a motion to disclose how individual council members voted on firing Lecavalier. One would hope the rest of council will support Firman in his attempt to shed some light on the secretive, back-room issue.

What may ultimately get council to provide some transparency is public pressure, and that is expected to begin Thursday when the Coldstream Ratepayers Association holds a town hall meeting on Lecavalier's dismissal.

We would encourage Corner and the rest of council to attend the meeting and hear directly from those they represent.

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I have been a resident of Coldstream since 1976. I have had 15 years of experience on Council, 3 years as Mayor. As a current Councillor I am working to achieve fair water and sewer rates and to ensure that taxpayers get fair treatment. The current direction regarding water supply is unsustainable and I am doing all I can to get the most cost effective water supply possible.