November 23, 2011
Council agrees to
hire mediator
by Kay McQuade
The townships of Head, Clara, Maria have agreed to pay an estimated
$7,000 to $12,000 to hire an outside mediator/investigator to deal with
harassment complaints involving townships council.
Municipal clerk Melinda Reith filed harassment complaints last month
against townships council and Reeve Tammy Stewart around the events of
a townships meeting on October 7.
Council voted unanimously earlier this month to “investigate the costs
of having the complaints referred to an experienced independent
mediator/investigator for proper consideration.”
In a report to council last week, Reith said the cost of hiring an
independent mediator or investigator is estimated at a range of $175 to
$300 an hour for an estimated 40 hours, bringing the total to between
$7,000 and $12,000, bearing in mind that 40 hours is only an estimate
and it may be more.
“The choices made and actions taken by council have resulted in the
situation in which this municipality finds itself now,” she said in her
report.
“In the name of good government, council should make a statement to
staff and residents that it is professional, fair and willing to meet
its legal obligations objectively looking out for the interests of
staff and the general population.”
Councillor Dave Foote read a prepared statement concerning his opinion
on the feelings and behaviour of some township residents and elected
officials towards the clerk.
“Over the past number of months this year I have heard, what I consider
to be, frivolous complaints regarding the clerk’s performance,” he said.
“To date, such complaints have gone undocumented. I do not agree with
these comments as I regard the clerk’s performance of her assigned
duties as being commendable and her integrity of the highest order.”
He went on to single out the reeve saying, “Some time before April of
this year the reeve approached me outside the council chambers and
commented that we should do something about the clerk as currently she
is running council.”
“At that time I suggested the reeve should speak to the clerk regarding
these concerns, or failing that, make a formal complaint to be
considered at a meeting of council.
“She did not follow my advice at that time and to date has not lodged
such a complaint.”
It is his “opinion (that) the clerk does not want a formal
investigation into the pending harassment charges unless it is a last
resort to end the continuation of the atmosphere of animosity that
appears to be directed against her.”
“If the reeve or any other member of council or the public has a
problem with the clerk’s performance, please go to policies in the HCM
website and document that complaint giving specifics along with
substantive references,” he continued.
“Council can then deal with the root cause of this ongoing harassment
experienced by the clerk.”
“I would reasonably expect some formal response by our next meeting or
I must consider any undocumented complaints against the clerk to be no
more than frivolous bordering on slander.”
Councillor Jim Gibson said “the clerk is the best thing that has
happened to this municipality in a long time,” but acknowledged “she is
human.”
He said he was in favour of hiring an outside investigator even though
it would cost a lot of money.
He feels the “way she is treated is absolutely abominable.”
Councillor Ed Aiston said he is “supportive of the clerk’s work and the
progress made with the clerk managing the township.”
He would support this resolution if council had the responsibility of
choosing the mediator, not the clerk.
He felt “the clerk could arrange some interviews and council make the
final decision.”
Reeve Tammy Stewart said she welcomed this development.
She felt she “has been the subject of harassment over the past few
months.”
|
