Having watched the live stream broadcast of St. Albert City Council of Monday, May 25, 2015, I feel compelled to comment.
It was not that this particular day’s actions were that much different than those of previous council meetings but I believe there is a cumulative effect whereby at some point one can only take so much.
While these meetings should set an example of proper debate and discourse in consideration of important matters and issues, free of personal or political agendas, they are to the contrary. Things unfold in a controlling and pre-determined fashion resulting appearing to be scripted and choreographed with the mayor functioning more as a director than a facilitator. This was most evident when dealing with the matter of the administration report on the “internal review” of council’s expenses whereupon a motion was put calling for an external audit to properly clarify and settle the issue once and for all. Following some rather unusual procedural manoeuvres, the mayor refused to be recused and cast a negative vote. As expected, when combined with the other three, the motion was defeated. If this is not a textbook case of conflict of interest then what is?
Later in the meeting, Coun. Cam MacKay’s efforts to have questions pertaining to utility funding and the hiring of an internal city auditor appear on the by-election ballot were similarly thwarted.
Regardless of technical legalities, a general lack of moral and ethical accountability seems universally evident at virtually all levels of government these days to which St. Albert is no exception. This should give us pause in realizing that we citizens suffer the consequences. Unless many among us remove their heads from the sand and have a long look at the reality of what is occurring, it will continue unabated and the situation will only get worse. Perhaps it is time that pressure is mounted from within the populace to adopt measures such as term limits and the right of recall?
Although it can be argued that the byelection now underway should not have occurred, it presents the opportunity for much needed change. In numbers alone, the slate of candidates is impressive and I commend all of those who have put their names forward but the onus is on we the electorate. We cannot afford to maintain the status quo but must carefully select a new councillor who can and will help to effect a more balanced way of conducting civic business on our behalf. I implore you to vote with this in mind!
Murray Lambert, St. Albert
