It has been a year since the last municipal election, which saw Mayor Nolan Crouse elected to his third term at the helm of city council. Since that time, the embattled Crouse has been the focus of controversy.
His salary as chair of the Capital Region Board being funneled through Crouse Developments combined with recent discoveries he has doubled up expense claims on multiple occasions has put him under considerable scrutiny. Public backlash has also stemmed from an increase to utility rates.
Since the first anniversary of the last election recently passed, the Gazette's editorial board got together with Mayor Crouse to discuss some of the issues that have plagued him this term. These issues are more than just troubling the mayor, they are also interfering with the good governance this city rightly deserves and Crouse finds himself in the middle of controversy, in part, because of his past actions.
Crouse opened the meeting with what he termed the “elephant in the room,” speaking to the expenses he admittedly claimed twice. While there was nothing new to his explanation, his justification might point to why Crouse finds himself under fire. Crouse said one of his strengths is a dedication to public service, but added taking care of his own affairs – especially when dealing with money he is owed – is one of his weaknesses. “Money coming to me is irrelevant,” he said.
This statement is puzzling and inconsistent. His refusal to consider an independent audit while having city staff, under his control, perform another review of the expenses gives his critics additional fodder: that our mayor has placed himself on a pedestal and is somehow beyond reproach.
Crouse would do well to heed some time-honoured advice: don't pick fights that you can't win. Better yet, don't pick fights that aren't worth fighting. He has become a favourite target of a certain segment of the population because, well, he has provoked them. The infamous incident during a St. Albert Taxpayer’s Association meeting – a confrontation he didn't need to have – is a perfect example as to how the mayor draws the wrong type of attention, and provides his detractors with renewed zeal. He knows he's not a welcome participant in those circles – why go looking for a fight? Crouse needs to be above the fray, turn the proverbial cheek, and take his detractors in stride. It's not easy being a leader – if it was, anyone could do it.
It is time to put egos away and personal differences aside. Crouse, who fancies himself a champion of public service, should be the first to set the example. One of the first steps can be to support an independent audit to help restore the public’s faith in council’s accountability.
As Thomas Paine said, “A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.”
