In a news report in last week's Carlyle Observer, in an article on the Highway 361 paving controversy the Moose Creek RM administrator was quoted as saying, "The lawyer informed me that since I had to break the rules on one side, it would be best to do it on the side that would not open the RM to lawsuits from the project partners."
We may have the greatest sympathy for employees of a municipal council wishing to hear such words, but that is the most revealing quote I have ever seen printed.
Who is ultimately responsible for the suspect analysis and intentional tort on the petitioners and democracy. Is it the RM lawyer,( Michael Morris) who reportedly gave the RM legal advice and a written legal opinion, is it the administrator who is apparently falling on the sword, is it the reporter who submitted the article, or the newspaper that printed it, or is it the persons who circulated the petition, or the 113 petitioners who signed the petition, or is it the municipal council and reeve who accepted and adopted the recommendation of the administrator based on the legal opinion that was requested.
Perhaps it is a case of "Elementary my Dear Watson". It seems that no one on Council is making the necessary efforts to stay in touch with the ratepayers. It appears that no one on council is checking to see if anyone is following. As in Egypt, when disatisfaction on a whole range of issues and gross injustices collides with a climate that reaches "broiling" temperature, then significant changes may not be able to be stopped.
The newspaper article doesn't give any hint that the RM is currently seeking "direction" from the Court of Queen's Bench in Regina. It's quite suprising that at the same time it appears to be "full steam ahead" with Council's paving project. Perhaps the Feb 17, 2011 Court date will show Council exactly what they must do.
It isn't just the paving project that is being mishandled. It's a decade old Red Coat Waste garbage and recycling program that basically hasn't moved or handled any Moose Creek garbage, it's drilling, but not yet completing a municipal well that is licenced for a totally insufficient volume of water use. It is a Borderline Housing expansion project that a nearby Councillor refers to as a situation that is "ugly, ugly, ugly". And it is an attitude of a whole council seeking to not follow Sections of the Municipalities Act that are obstacles to their plans.
The public is not even allowed to know what is on the agenda until it is adopted a month later. Neither will council discuss their decisions prior to adoption since it somehow violates their code of conduct. There is a cost of $10 to obtain any adopted set of minutes, and no cell phone or cameras are allowed to be near the minute book. There is an atmosphere of silence, lack of input, output and direction and a general disdain for the electorate. Blame is heaped on those who have sought information, either before decisions are made or after decisions are made. There is no desire on the part of council for openness and real time disclosure.
Censored short summaries published in newspapers should not now be considered adequate. There are ways to legally provide "up to the minute" information, and this will never happen with the present Council.
If someone needs to be the first person to publically call for a wholesale change of Moose Creek Council members; then so be it. The ratepayers of Moose Creek will determine if they have confidence in the representation (or lack thereof) by the present leadership. The ratepayers can also choose new candidates who have a totally different attitude and approach to rural municipal government. This would be the opportune time for women to take control of a significant role in rural municipal matters. Do not worry that no one will step forward to replace our dictators. There is a whole pool of new faces who need to be asked to truly represent our interests. Its a time for ratepayer involvement in selecting and choosing the best cross section of candidates; and dare I say maybe even having an election.
There is no need to wait for the fall elections. RM Moose Creek Council Please resign now.
Murray C. Johnson
