For the past three decades, I've had the pleasure of being an active member of our community; raising my children, participating in innumerable local sporting events and opening a thriving business in this great City of St. Albert.
I have never written a letter to the Gazette nor have ANY political ties or aspirations in our fair city. However, I find I can no longer sit idly by as a member of the Silent Majority while the good reputation and leadership of our Mayor, Nolan Crouse, is tarnished and sullied by what I perceive to be petty innuendos and intense scrutiny of expense improprieties.
Recently, my business was fortunate enough to have been nominated as a candidate for the 2014 Outstanding Customer Service Award by the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce. As I attended the evening event at the Arden, if the topic of conversation turned to Mr. Crouse, everyone with whom I engaged unanimously agreed that such a minor error in expense bookkeeping should not have turned into the proverbial "mountain from a mole hill" event.
Nevertheless, all public attention and focus seems to centre on how egregious this act was and how incomprehensible this mistake was from a political appointee.
I'm obliged to wonder what motivation and inspiration these outraged alarm raisers must have in their attempt to fan such a small spark into such controversial flame?
For my part, I have witnessed Mayor Crouse work tirelessly and with great enthusiasm to promote our community, its interests and to improve our economy. It is no accident that he was the residing mayor when St. Albert was voted Canada's Best Place to live in 2014. Where are his accolades for being a tireless advocate of this city??
On a side note, I'm always amazed to see our mayor attend so many events, from school games to charitable functions, often attending events too small to attract any media – just simply a mayor connecting with his community.
While I may not personally agree with every aspect of his policies or city council's decisions – personally, I think our property taxes are a bit high – I hold this man in high esteem as I see his character and integrity shine through in his conduct and vision for the city.
It's very easy to find fault with Mayor Crouse's recent mistakes. I think he's already acknowledged that he made a mistake, but to err is human. I don't think Mayor Crouse intended to retire from the proceeds of this financial gaff.
I would, however, wish to draw our attention to the overwhelming amount of positive progress this man has brought into our community. This city has one of the lowest unemployment rates in our country (4.3%), yet amidst this prosperity and growth, St Albert has continued to grow in its compassion by pushing affordable and seniors’ housing into the forefront.
By no means am I giving the mayor all the credit for such feats of balance and diversity but he is at the helm of our city governance and hence, in my mind, deserves some praise and credit, especially during this time when his mistakes or small blunders seem to be attracting all the attention when his name is mentioned in the media.
I support Mayor Crouse. I applaud his efforts and successes and I have reaped the benefits of his tireless and dedicated leadership. I think many of you have as well. So, let's not all just keep so meek and quiet while a good man is getting mauled and discredited for a minor transgression.
Let's not let cynics and critics run our city; let's shine a light on what is good and wholesome and successful in the community we all love and enjoy.
Moira Quigg-Lee, St. Albert
