Centre of the storm

Helen Dietz braved a citizen onslaught last week over her leadership of the town but a determined delegation of locals vowed to march on, even if it potentially causes a further community divide through a provincial inquiry.

“I am hopeful council will address some of the questions that were raised and provide some answers to the group,” said Tim Ainscough, the Innisfail Fire Department's assistant deputy chief of training, who attended the Nov. 28 regular council meeting when a 10-member citizens' delegation, along with many supporters, presented their case against the leadership of Dietz, the town's chief administrative officer (CAO).

Ainscough has been the spokesperson for angry local firefighters since the dismissal of their popular chief Dean Clark in September, a move that triggered community-wide anger against Dietz.

“There are still some questions about what happened,” he said. “The bottom line for myself is how do we move forward? If we want to move forward it would be nice to have some answers.”

At least some of those answers may come in early January from town council, which continues to staunchly defend its beleaguered CAO.

“Council stands firmly behind Dietz, and continues to support her very capable management of the municipality,” said Deputy Mayor Mark Kemball in a letter to the editor, which is printed in full in this week's Province on page 7.

“I assure that we're apprised and consulted in every major decision she makes, and have the utmost confidence in her abilities to lead Innisfail forward.”

In a statement that was released last Friday, Dietz said she is taking citizen concerns “very seriously” but disputed allegations her job performance has led to poor morale at town hall.

“I am surprised to hear of claims of low morale at the town. We have a great group of staff that not only get along with one another exceptionally well, but who also for the most part seem to enjoy coming in to work every day,” said Dietz, adding that while some employees have “moved on, retired or been dismissed” the numbers are not “unreasonable.

“Nonetheless, I fully acknowledge the concerns that were expressed, and will continue to work diligently with council to address them.”

The citizens' delegation appeared before council with a three-page letter, which was read and distributed to all members and the media, demanding answers to 14 questions, including council's role in Clark's dismissal, policies on staff dismissals and the direction Dietz wants the fire department to take. The letter, read by delegation members Mary Flemming and Jim Carroll, also requested council formally ask the provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs to probe the performance of Dietz.

Following a 30-minute presentation, which included comments from several councillors, council and delegation members agreed to an early January deadline for the questions to be answered.

“This small group that got together are quite resolved, maybe not the petition yet, but that definitely hinges on our next meeting,” said Flemming after the presentation. “The people here will be following it along with all the other folks that we do speak to. There is definitely a problem here in town. There is a lot of very, very bad morale.

“We really want to know why the two fire chiefs were gone, without causes – absolutely not satisfactory,” she added. “(It's) unethical and immoral when the townspeople want to know and the fire department who worked under these men, really respected them and have not had any answers.”

However, at least three councillors rose to counter citizens' complaints against Dietz, pointing out the chief administrative officer is doing what she was hired to do.

“I will truly say and honestly from my heart that what is happening in this town is what we have hired her to do,” said Coun. Patt Churchill, who urged citizens to bring their concerns to council and not through the local newspaper. “When you see this negativity in the newspaper week and week none of us win as a community, not here and not there. If things come to that there is a way and a means for somebody to address. Please don't do it through the papers.”

Coun. Doug Bos rose to counter that any perceived problem with staff turnover and morale isn't going to go away with a new CAO.

“It's just going to be another change. Stuff is going to happen and people are not going to like it, whether it's worse or less but it's not going to go away,” said Bos. It just always happens. It's something you can never, ever get away from.”