Saturday, August 16, 2008

Public meeting called over firing of chief -- by Jennifer Smith

Published: August 15, 2008 4:00 PM
Updated: August 16, 2008 8:34 PM

The entire community of Coldstream is being called to show its support for their recently fired fire chief – Leo Lecavalier.

The Coldstream Ratepayers’ Association has called a town hall meeting at the Coldstream Women’s Institute Hall Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All members of the public are invited to attend.

“We want to rally for the fire chief,” said CRA president Gyula Kiss.

“Apparently the firemen are 100 per cent supportive of the fire chief, both here and in Lavington.”

It’s hoped residents will rally together to call on council’s decision to dismiss the volunteer chief, who was just shy of his 25-year service mark.

Coldstream council canned the chief Aug. 1, but it has yet to release any public information behind its reasoning.

The firing comes less than a month after Lecavalier publicly expressed dismay with how the building of the department’s new fire hall was handled – specifically communication issues.

Although it’s not clear if his concerns spurred his dismissal, Kiss says council shouldn’t fire someone just because of a difference of opinion.

Lecavalier has not only been dismissed as fire chief but he also cannot be a regular member.

Kiss is appalled that council can or would revoke Lecavalier’s right to volunteer.

Mayor Gary Corner has stated that this is a staffing issue, as Lecavalier is considered a member of Coldstream staff.

“It’s a very crowded issue here,” said Kiss.

“On the one hand they consider him a staff member but he doesn’t get the protection a regular staff member does.”

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Coldstream Ratepayers News! All Coldstream residents are ratepayers!

The opinions expressed by "Coldstreamer" are strictly his own and do not represent the opinions of Coldstream Council!

Because I value your thoughtful opinions, I encourage you to add a comment to this discussion. Don't be offended if I edit your comments for clarity or to keep out questionable matters, however, and I may even delete off-topic comments.

Gyula Kiss
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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.