BONNYVILLE - A Town of Bonnyville councillor who recently said Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski should “slither back down his hole," isn’t responding to questions from the media about his seven-minute rant recorded on a local online ‘chat show.' But he may have to respond to legal questions, as the mayor says he is entertaining follow-up action.
Coun. Chad Colbourne used a daily online podcast hosted by the company he works for to lash out at the mayor for decisions made at a recent council meeting during 2021 budget deliberations.
Last Wednesday, Colbourne was recorded during an online community chat, where he spent several minutes in a targeted attack of the mayor.
Colbourne accused Sobolewski of "flipping" on a tax hike decision during the previous night's council meeting. Colbourne said councillors had previously agreed that a six per cent tax hike for resident and businesses was a "tough" but necessary decision to help offset a projected $900,000 budget deficit the community is facing, but the mayor decided to go against the decision at the public meeting.
Sobolewski has historically been opposed to tax hikes for residents and businesses.
"Our awesome, powerful mayor decided at one point in time to say he wasn't in agreeance with the six per cent tax increase . . . but we all sat together and he said it. We all agreed. Then as soon as it goes public, he takes the other side. That is not a leader. That is not somebody you want leading your town. And I am putting it out there."
Colbourne also said he felt the mayor had left council "out to dry" with his decision, and that Sobolewski should "slither back down his hole."
The online barrage has since been deleted from the original site.
The tirade berated the mayor for not only decisions around the budget, but also for where he works. Sobolewski is the CAO for the County of Smoky Lake, a municipality only 125 kilometres from Bonnyville, but separated by several municipal districts. Under the Municipal Government Act, a person elected in a municipality cannot work for that municipality. But, there are no restrictions about working for another municipality.
“Sure the MGA allows for it, but just because it allows for it, doesn’t mean you should do it . . . This man doesn't care about Bonnyville,” Colbourne said, his voice raised as a co-worker in the background of the broadcast can be heard trying to calm the situation.
Councillor is 'done'
“I really don't care. I don't care what the ramifications are. If you want to try to go to Municipal Affairs and get me taken off council — I really don't care," Colbourne yelled - at one point seeming to express a willingness to leave his council seat over the frustration. “I’m done. I’m absolutely done.”
Attempts have been made to contact Colbourne over the past days. Questions have been left for Colbourne, asking if his declaration meant he is "done" with local politics and if his outburst marked the end of his political career, but he has not returned calls.
Legal advice
"— Ramifications that are now being explored"
-Town of Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski
Sobolewski was reached by Lakelandtoday.ca for comment. Asked if he had heard the recording, the mayor said he had. Asked if he thought Colbourne was resigning from his council seat, the mayor said that was a better question for the councillor himself to answer.
The mayor did say Colbourne's comments directed at him are being "reviewed" - but he would say little more on the advice of lawyers.
"I'm looking into it, yes. It's being reviewed. That's all I can really say on the advice of counsel," said Sobolewski, explaining that several avenues are being investigated. "That's why there's processes in place — and ramifications that are now being explored."
Attempts have been made to reach Town of Bonnyville CAO Bill Rogers for comment on the issue, but messages have not been returned.
During the Tuesday night council meeting where the frustrations initially emerged, Coun. Ray Prevost said arguments aren't going to help the real issue of the municipality's looming budget deficit.
"Getting into harsh words over it isn't going to change anything. The numbers are the numbers. They are a fact of life," said Prevost, before council voted in favour of presenting the draft budget — with the six per cent tax hike included — to the public for consultation at an upcoming virtual open house. Only the mayor was opposed to the decision.
