It was standing room only in St.
It was standing room only in St. Paul council chambers on Monday night, as 30 people, including town staff and people from local businesses, clubs and organizations, crowded into the room to press the question over rumours the recreation director is being forced out.
Paul Emile Boisvert started off as spokesperson for the group, saying that ratepayers were increasingly getting concerned about transparency, and that there was “no room for agendas or personal vendettas&” in council.
“Do you believe council is functioning in a positive, progressive manner?&” he asked, wondering if the answer was no, what steps were being taken to make council. A lack of transparency fosters rumors and innuendos, Boisvert said later, adding, “These things never lead to positives, ever.&”
Councillors agreed that communication was important, and that they had to improve in this regard, for instance, by having public, open forums or improving their town website.
“This is not our town, this is your town,&” said Coun. Edna Gervais later in the meeting. “Our role as elected officials is to make sure you have the town you want.&”
She felt changes to the Municipal Government Act would address some of the concerns people had about the transparency of government, adding the changes, would address the conduct of elected officials, the circulating of petitions, how meetings are held and how municipalities consult with its public, among other matters.
“It's going to work well. Is it going to happen overnight? No.&”
Boisvert also asked what role council plays in hiring or firing town staff, asking if this all fell on the CAO's table.
Mayor Glenn Andersen said yes, those decisions belong to the CAO, and that council normally does not offer input on recommendations for hiring and firing staff. When further pressed, he said that if council is involved in these matters, it has to put forward a resolution for the CAO to act upon. However, later in the meeting, Gervais clarified that town councillors have been part of the interview panel in the hiring of some staff.
Boisvert also wanted to know if council was happy with how it functioned, with Coun. Don Padlesky saying, “I believe we're doing the best we can with the information we're provided.&”
He and other councillors said that they didn't always agree with each other in every situation, but when a consensus was reached, they were united and moved forward together.
Amil Shapka, who is a member of the Visual Arts Centre and Champions for Change, said that he and many others gathered were looking for “immediate transparency,&” and had a question regarding rumors circulating around the town.
“It's a simple question. One question. Is council contemplating dismissing our recreation director? Yes, no?&” he asked, of the rumours circulating about Gary Ward's dismissal.
Mayor Glenn Andersen said because of the sensitivity of personnel questions, he had to refer the question to CAO Harvey Filger and ask for some legal advice on answering the question.
“You want put it on the list, we're happy to come back, because that dirty rumour has sent a shockwave through the entire community. All your employees, all your families that work for the town, they all feel threatened. They're all looking the knife coming for their back. It's not a positive environment,&” said Shapka, to a hum of agreement from the gathered crowd. “Everything that's good about this community and its volunteer efforts comes from that rec director.&”
Shapka referred to the room representing diverse interests, including sports such as minor hockey, minor ball, curling and swimming, the rodeo and town activities such as Canada Day or Family Day.
“All of that, and the support that the town gives it, comes from your rec director's desk.&”
“Are we concerned?&” he asked the people gathered, to which they all responded, “Yes.&”
“If you want 50 more people here next time, or 100 people here next time, I don't know what it's going to take to get that message across. It's an issue the community feels very, very strongly about. I think the community deserves some answers,&” said Shapka.
Marcel Lafortune, a town staff member, noted after the meeting that of the eight or nine recreation directors he has worked with in his time with town, Ward has been the best one he's ever worked for.
Given that council had said they were not responsible for making decisions about firing people and that decisions on staff rest with the CAO, past minor hockey president Calvin Bespalko said that council had to educate the CAO on the years of dedication and passion the town's recreation director has put it into the community.
“I would like you guys to remind the CAO, or let the CAO know, if we lose that passion, we're stuck with whatever we get next,&” he said. “If you break it, you bought it and you're going to have a lot of people here who rolled up their sleeves that are just going to walk.&”
“If there's any individual concerns or issues, roll up your sleeves, figure it out, walk out as a team,&” he said, adding he believed council's hearts were in the right place. “Don't make a decision you'll regret.&”
Those gathered applauded Bespalko's speech. Since council was referring to its lawyers to get some advice on how to handle answering personnel issues, the mayor said he would be in touch with the group through its spokespeople.
