Dear Editor,
Re: Mediator contracted to facilitate meeting between council and MLA - Nov. 1, Sylvan Lake News
This is another first for our town council. No one I have talked to can recall a mediator ever being needed in a situation of the town council meeting with the MLA we elected to represent our town.
I have been told a mediator may cost from $1,500 to $3,000. If the mediator that was contracted by the town council is paid with public funds, this had better be a public meeting that all taxpayers can attend. If this is a closed meeting, I would expect the mayor and council would pay for the mediator for their benefit out of their own pocket.
If the mayor and town council we elected need a mediator to hold a meeting with the MLA we elected, our town is in a sad, sorry state of affairs. Please imagine how expensive this will be if a mediator is required every time council talks to our MLA.
On the front page of the Nov. 1st edition of the Sylvan Lake News, there is a photo of Mayor Susan Samson encouraging people to embrace change.
Mayor Samson, there has been a change of MLAs from PC Luke Ouellette to Wildrose MLA Kerry Towle. I would encourage you to practice what you preach!
I am totally astounded by the complete lack of professionalism and political courtesy in the way our mayor, council and administrative staff have treated MLA Kerry Towle. It is time to put egos aside and get on with operating Sylvan Lake in a manner our citizens feel is befitting the most beautiful town in Alberta.
I would also ask as many people as possible greet Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk on Nov. 14 at the community centre at 4 p.m. Please take an hour to show support for Sylvan Lake and achieve some of the objectives we would like to see fulfilled in Sylvan Lake.
Dale Mannix,
Sylvan Lake