While I am not surprised at the requests by the Citizens for Innisfail committee to gain more information on the personnel matters from the Innisfail town office, I was very surprised at the council reaction.
While it may in fact be the prerogative of council to deny someone a hearing, it isn't very politically astute and may cause them repercussions they wish they did not have.
On the most basic of levels, it would appear that the council has something to hide or is afraid of the confrontation. Either one does not bode well for the town or for this council. This council appears to think that it does not owe a responsibility to its voters. That could come back to bite them in the coming election.
I strongly recommend that this council change its mind and allow the hearing of all presentations to go ahead. It's up to council as to what they want to do with the information that is provided.
We are, after all, a democracy and as such everyone has a right to be heard. This council should not abandon this principle based upon fear or ego.
Every council will have its detractors. That's the nature of the beast. Stand up and be responsible. Let everyone's voice be heard.
Chuck Blanchard,
Innisfail
Chuck Blanchard is a past two-term mayor of Invermere, B.C. and a current resident of Innisfail.
