OLDS — A letter of reprimand has been read out publicly to Coun. Mitch Thomson after he was found in violation of council’s code of conduct.
The letter of reprimand, read out during the Oct. 26 council meeting, was part of the sanctions Thomson faced for a Facebook post critical of council that he created on June 12.
Thomson’s name was also removed from the list of deputy mayors for the remainder of his council term (which expires in the fall of 2021) as part of those sanctions.
Thomson created the post after council decided to redirect the second half of the town's 2020 funding for the Olds Institute (OI) to its economic development secretariat and economic recovery taskforce.
Thomson, a first-term councillor, is the executive director of OI.
According to a Town of Olds press release issued on Oct. 23, Thomson refused to take down the post and publicly apologize for it when asked to do so by council a few weeks later.
He was told if he did not do so, he would face an investigation into breaches of the town's council code of conduct bylaw.
After undertaking an investigation into the matter and obtaining legal advice, council voted earlier this month to sanction him for the contents of that post.
As deputy mayor, Coun. Mary Jane Harper was given the task of reading the letter out loud.
“After a lengthy investigation, you have been found in violation of the Council Code of Conduct bylaw 2018-01.
“You clearly advocated for yourself and your employer’s interest and discredited council when you referenced confidential information in your June 12, 2020 Facebook post.”
Harper said that violated a section of the code of conduct that “requires you to act in good faith and serve the welfare and interest of the Town of Olds as a whole.”
Harper further said Thomson was also found in contravention of a section of the bylaw that “requires you to be free from undue influence and not to act -- or appear to act -- in order to gain financial or other benefits for yourself or your employer.
“Further, some of the statements you made in your June 12, 2020 Facebook post were made with the intent to mislead members of the public, which is in contravention of section 3.5 of the code of conduct bylaw.
“Your statements clearly showed that you did not act in the best interests of the municipality as a whole and attempted to advocate for your personal interest and that of your employer.
“You were informed in January 2020 of your conflict of interest between the Town of Olds and your employer, Olds Institute and were advised not to post on social media.
“Further, you were provided this same information on May 12, 2020 during council’s formal orientation session and yet you chose to disregard this and intentionally posted information on Facebook, discrediting members of council, the town and administration, which was contrary to the code of conduct.
“You gave up the right to publicly question council when you became an elected official.
“You are hereby censured for your inappropriate behaviour and misconduct.
“And because of this, council expects you to honour your oath of office and abide by the council code of conduct.
“Your refusal to do the right thing has cost our taxpayers approximately $27,000 for investigative fees.
“You are hereby directed to act accordingly and further breaches of council code of conduct will result in further sanctions.
The letter was signed by Town of Olds Mayor Michael Muzychka and councillors Debbie Bennett, Wanda Blatz, Mary Jane Harper, Mary Anne Overwater and Heather Ryan.
“I just want it noted that this is not a punishment to councillor Thomson, but a letter of reprimand sanctioning coun. Thomson for his breach of the code of conduct bylaw 2018-01,” Coun. Blatz said.
“Very much so,” Muzychka said.
Council voted to accept the letter of reprimand by a 6-0 vote. (Coun. Thomson recused himself from that vote).
Coun. Ryan noted the letter will be added to his file.
