It’s been many years since my byline has appeared in the Gazette, and I’m writing today because I attended an event on Thursday that was like no other I’ve attended in the 45 years that I’ve made St. Albert my home. I thought our readers would like to know about what I experienced and why I think it’s important to tell you.
Close to 100 members of St. Albert’s business community gathered at the curling rink to thank Larry Horncastle, the city’s recently-fired director of business and tourism development, for his years of support. Many of them took to the microphone and what they all said had much in common: Larry Horncastle had been unfailing in his support of local business, he is a straight-talking, honest and transparent professional and the people behind the decision to dismiss him got it terribly wrong.
He was the one manager at city hall who understood how to support local business and the direction this city must take to succeed in its economic development goals. And they were all sad to see him go.
At times the speakers became quite emotional, prompting those in the crowd to compare the event to a wake – even though the recently ‘departed’ was standing at the centre of the room trying to control his own emotions.
The most emotional point in the evening came when Horncastle’s former staff took to the podium to thank him for his years of leadership and mentoring. Some spoke with quavering voices and one could barely get any words out as she fought back her tears. A few hardened business types developed that stiff look men put on because they’re not supposed to show any tears.
Horncastle joked about attending his own wake and took pains to point out that, although the speakers all said Larry did this and Larry did that, it was really a team of people at economic development and he was just one of them. He plans to remain in St. Albert where he’s actively involved and will take on projects as a consultant to put his skills to good use. It was quintessential Larry: humble, decent. One of the guys. Always thinking of others first.
Two members of council attended but no senior members of city administration. Coun. Malcolm Parker spoke as the former chair of the St. Albert Economic Development Advisory Committee and commended Horncastle for his guidance. Coun. Cam MacKay told a story about starting out in business in St. Albert and how Horncastle’s advice to check first with city planning had probably “saved his house.” He had planned to purchase in Campbell Business Park but his business wouldn’t have been allowed under the zoning laws.
The crowd was generally polite in the presence of the politicians, but most in the room felt council should have acted to prevent or at least reverse the decision. One businessman told the councillors that their attendance was hypocritical and council’s lack of action in coming to Horncastle’s defence was cowardly and shameful – hiding behind policy as they did. He said it, but everyone else felt it.
It’s too late now to retain Larry. He’s already moving on with his life. It’s no surprise that he’s had his fill of working in municipal government, and from the smile on his wife Pat’s face, you could tell she was the happiest person in the room.
So Larry is one of those special people who got to experience what most of us have all speculated – what will they say about me at the funeral? He should be a proud man today.
Those who kicked him out or refused to stand up for him when he needed it most will just have to live on in shame.
Duff Jamison is the president of Great West Newspapers, the Gazette’s parent company, and is the former editor and publisher of the Gazette.
