On March 14, the following letter from Citizens For Innisfail, addressed to the mayor, all six councillors and CAO Helen Dietz, was hand-delivered to the town office:
"The Citizens for Innisfail have been apprised of a concerning situation unfolding in the administration of the town. We have heard from a reputable source that several staff (could) be ëlet go' by the CAO. Our opinion on this matter is as follows: that there should be absolutely no staff changes under the current CAO, Helen Dietz. We would like assurances from the town council that if staff firings are imminent, it must be with unanimous decision of the town council, including the names of each voting council member counted, and the vote entered into public records.
"It is important to recognize that the vast majority of town employees are citizens of Innisfail. Therefore, as being representatives of those citizens, their health and fair treatment in the workplace is of the utmost importance to our group. We will continue to be vigilant in ensuring those employees are protected within accordance of the Town of Innisfail manual policy # HS-2012-008 (Workplace Harassment & Anti Violence Policy).
"As we consider the new municipal governance that will take place in October of this year, we urge town council to tread carefully when choosing a new CAO. You have hired a competent firm to scout for qualified (new) applicants for this position. Our expectations are that of transparency in this process and that your choice will be made from the firm awarded this contract.
The candidate should be unbiased, and uncontaminated by the present administration, and the problematic issues that have shadowed it. To be an effective leader, the candidate must have no personal or professional relationship with the outgoing CAO or any member of council. The present CAO, Helen Dietz, must have no hand in choosing or recommending the future CAO.
"The Citizens for Innisfail delegation, respectfully request to be placed on the Town Council Agenda for the March 27, 2017 council meeting. We trust that a response to the above issues will be addressed at the meeting."
On March 15, Coun. Patt Churchill responded via email as follows:
"Were we elected to make decisions or are we told how to make our decisions? I feel insulted and under attack. Is bullying acceptable now? I missed the memo if it is. And as to the ëreliable source' I would hope sincerely that this did not come from the Town office. Feel free to share this response with anyone."
On March 23, Mayor (Brian) Spiller, in a phone call from him to one of our members, was informed that our "reputable source" is NOT an employee of the town. He stated that we were not going to be placed on the agenda for the next council meeting and that they will not be following any of our recommendations due to FOIP (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act).
It is our view that any of our recommendations in this matter have little, if anything at all, to do with FOIP. We are not requesting information, and there is no one's privacy that needs protection here. Crying "FOIP" is being heard far too often lately and is being used recklessly to stifle engagement, action and responsibility. It must stop.
Citizens for Innisfail
