LETTER: Re: Repercussions of Exposing Corruption
In her column on April 16, 2024 Joan Janzen outlines how the Mayor of Chestermere Alberta was removed from office by a conspiracy of defeated candidates, fired employees and the RCMP for exposing problems in how the city operated. The source of the information was ex-mayor Jeff Colvin speaking on a podcast hosted by Laura-Lynn Thompson.
A quick investigation of the situation provides a different perspective as all the information is easily found on the Government of Alberta website as well as many media articles.
Mr. Colvin along with the support of three of the six member council chose to deviate from the required processes a council should follow under legislation. The Mayor chose to follow a business model where the owner made all the decisions and was only responsible to himself.
Mr. Colvin felt he had been unfairly treated by the previous Council and staff. The Mayor moved to correct that by dismissing numerous staff, which led to the “hush money” which was severance for dismissal without cause of 19 employees. In the first year of the new Council 60 of 140 employees left.
The claim of budget reduction by 30% is actually a 5% reduction in taxes levied.
The claim of 25% tax reduction is from the mill rate levied declining 25% due to a reassessment that increased property values.
Concerns expressed to Council by residents were dismissed and the Minister of Municipal Affairs ordered an inquiry into the operation of Chestermere. The entire report, 215 pages, is online. For someone who spent most of his life in elected bodies the actions of the ex-Mayor and three councillors are almost beyond belief.
The Minister issued twelve directives to the Mayor and Council in March of 2023. Many were to improve the processes and to follow legislation in that a council speaks with one voice by resolution of Council from a properly held meeting. Often the Council was approving action taken by the Mayor on his own including assuming duties of employees.
Council was required by open process to obtain an auditor, after the existing firm resigned, and provide audited financial statements for 2021 and 2022.
Council was to develop a strategic plan with public consultation.
Land sale procedures were to be reviewed for proper authorization and methods of valuation.
Council was to report every second month on their progress on the directives. The Mayor and some members of Council rejected the inspection as faulty and biased and felt the directives did not apply. Council did not comply with the directives
As a result the Minister removed the Mayor and three members of Council and appointed an Interim CAO until a new Council could be elected. Further to their removal Deloitte has been engaged to review financial activities during the Mayors term in office.
I would have hoped for a higher standard of journalism that might provide facts.
Gary Johnson