Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Local News - Tuesday, March 8th edition

In the Williams Lake Tribune today:

1) City of WL CAO Brian Carruthers/Mayor Kerry Cook profoundly reject all of the allegations made by former City of WL Director of Finance Candie Laporte - see hereEditor's Note - the City CAO (Brian Carruthers') will appear before WL Council tonight as a delegation to explain this situation to members of WL Council/residents of Williams Lake.  I, probably like most in this community, are most interested in hearing what Brian Carruthers has to say on this subject at tonight's (Tuesday, March 8th) WL Council meeting

2) Letter writer Clarence Moore calls on WL Council to repeal the patio bylaw and employ "common sense" for the downtown area (at the bottom of Oliver - by Ming's Restaurant, New World Cafe, etc) - see here

3) Columnist Diana French blasts the Prime Minister for changing the letterhead in Ottawa from "Government of Canada" to "Harper Government" - see here.  See also a letter on this same subject from letter writer Tom Salley - see here

4) Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett explains why women and their achievements should be celebrated today - March 8th is "International Woman's Day".  See her column here

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

UNBELEIVABLE!!!!!Mr Carruthers appearing before Council is totally inappropriate and somewhat tasteless. If both he and Mayor Cook are so confident in how they have been managing the City let that speak for itself. To have the City Manager appear as a delegate to defend how he does his job is ludicrous. Whose idea was this?
Will the complainant get the same chance? Wow I thought I have heard of everything but this has got to be one of the most embarassing situations Williams Lake has been involved with. A Council meeting should not be used by staff to build a case for themselves. Particularily when some of these issues are going to be brought forward in a court of law. Mayor and Council you have lost control if you let this happen this isn't highschool and a Council Chamber should not be used for this purpose.
This is a flagrant use of the taxpayers’ money, and time and diminishes the sanctity of the process of which the public can come forward as a delegate.
Can I add any more adjectives...how about immature, classless and unfair to the other party. Again it just seems that you may not be as confident in your role as you all profess.
Mr. Carruthres do not embarass yourself and the staff you manage!!!

Anonymous said...

The complainant chose to send brown envelopes with confidential documents to the media. Talk about inappropriate and tasteless.

Anonymous said...

I have to say the whole thing has gotten too ugly.

This issue should stay behind closed doors. A delegation comes before Council to speak to them on Community concerns etc. I agree with the first post in that it should not be used by staff to speak to Council on things they should already be aware of. That is how the City is being managed. If this is being used as a way to to state a case to the public then again I agree with the first post in that it is not the best forum.
The former Director of Finance submitted an unmarked envelope but from what I have read she did put her name to it. Was it right for her to speak to the media ...No it wasn't But I think our civic leaders should just take it for what it is and that is an unhappy former employee who is lashing out. To get into the arena on that level is not wise or as mentioned in the first post appropriate. There is too much attention being drawn to this and everyone involved is starting to look a bit silly. It is like a train wreck, you can't help but look but in the end you are so glad when it is all gone...let this go away and move on with the business at hand.
I wish both Ms. Lapointe and Mr. Carruthers the best of luck in the end but this is not something we need to be involved in and lobbying each others cases through pubic venues is somewhat disrespectful to the rest of us.
Also both Mr. Carruthers and Ms. Lapointe need to evaluate what this will do to their reputations and professional intergrities. Let it go back behind closed doors.