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It is sad to hear of the churlish behaviour of Mayor Glenn Sutton. Glenn demanded an apology from Martin Quinn before allowing Martin to speak on behalf of the Save the Pavilion Committee. Since the pavilion is important to Martin Quinn and since Mayor Sutton controls the chair, Martin gave an apology. There are more constructive ways in which to use one’s political authority. Glenn did not choose any. Glenn does not hold any moral high ground from which to demand apologies from anyone. He first must practice what he expects of others. I am not aware of any apologies, not one “I am sorry” from Glenn for the cost overruns of the medical centre, the cutbacks made to planned accommodations, a roof that could not last a season. Public subscription raised thousands of dollars. That was money given in trust to be put to best use. I have not heard Glenn apologize for the waste of donated money, nor, for any ratepayer money spent, or to be spent, on the project. The issue was left to fade away without a clear and detailed explanation and certainly no apology – no high ground there. Furthermore, Glenn’s refusal to lead council in transparent governing lends itself to questions. If people think there is more to these matters than meets the eye and speak out in frustration, Glenn has only himself to blame. And for the mayor to tell councillor Campbell to apologize for saying student workers need supervising and that they are not necessarily giving their best effort is astonishing and unreasonable. Of course they need supervising. Of course, their attention span and energy changes throughout a working period. They have not yet developed mature work habits and tend to see summer jobs as just that, summer jobs. That is not a knock on the students; they differ in many ways, one from another, but are all still growing and learning and I bless them for it. Glenn, for his inappropriate behaviour, owes Gord Campbell an apology. That would be a start towards better government. The office of mayor is a position of trust, not power -- as are all positions on council. With a modicum of goodwill, a large dollop of fairness, and transparent governing, that trust can be achieved and maintained.
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