“The first year in office as mayor required some difficult decisions to be made. There were things that happened that we had little or no control over and we dealt with them the best we could. Having said this, we accomplished a lot in 2015, and although we are still playing catch up from prior years, our focus will be on the year ahead.”
So began the statement read by mayor Ed Smith at the Jan. 11 Greenwood City Council meeting, which saw a full gallery in attendance.
When contacted by the Times, the mayor would not elaborate further on his written report.
In his report, the mayor said, “I would like to comment on some troubling comments that were brought to my attention on Facebook. Facebook is something that I normally don’t do.
“A former council member insists on bringing to light: The carriage house (behind city hall), renovations in city hall, heating system, smoke stack, boccie pits, and on and on.
“To start with the carriage house, was not a carriage house, but a building brought over on skids and two attachments were built to serve as a garage for the RCMP car when they lived in the Courthouse. The building had not been looked after in years and was not safe. The Statement of Significance was followed for the rehabilitation of the council chambers and heritage guidelines were adhered to. Changes were required to meet modern codes. We also have a Heritage Committee with a mission statement. All in all I believe we are proceeding in a positive manner and if someone does not understand, please call or ask.”
When contacted for a comment, the Greenwood Museum confirmed that the so-called carriage house was not authentic and consequently not of heritage value.
“I am also troubled by the petitions,” continued Smith’s report, “a petition that started for one reason, then a second petition and now a third petition because the previous petition was not filled out properly. The cost to date to the city is over $50,000. We have yet to have a hearing.
“I find it sad when a few of what I call the “Cave People” (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) can cause so much disturbance and cost. Money and time have been wasted that could go towards the very thing that they feel they represent.
“We have budget meetings coming up and union contracts to deal with.”
“Overall I am pleased with the progress over the last year and look forward to the same type of progress in 2016.”
The former councillor referred to in Smith’s report is Christopher Stevenson, who was not present at the meeting.
“This lashing out at people—calling citizens “cave people”, making a point of singling out individuals for criticism—that’s not leadership, as far as I’m concerned,” said Stevenson when asked about the mayor’s comments. “When you run for office, and get elected—you represent everyone in the community—whether you get along with them, agree with them or not. You can’t pick and choose who you want to represent, and you have to treat everyone with the same level of respect.”
Below is the mayor’s statement exactly as provided to the Boundary Creek Times:
Year Two as Mayor
Looking forward to 2016
The first year in office as Mayor required some difficult decisions to be made. There were things that happened that we had little or no control over and we dealt with them the best we could. Having said this, we have accomplished a lot in 2015, and although we are still playing catch up from prior years, focus will be on the year ahead.
I would like to comment on some troubling comments that were brought to my attention on face book. Face book is something that I normally don’t do.
A former council member insists on bringing to light: The carriage house (behind city hall), renovations in city hall, heating system, smoke stack, bocci pits, and on and on.
To start with the carriage house, was not a carriage house, but a building brought over on skids and two attachments were built to serve as a garage for the RCMP car when they lived in the Courthouse. The building had not been looked after in years and was not safe. The Statement of Significance was followed for the rehabilitation of the council chambers and heritage guidelines were adhered to. Changes were required to meet modern codes. We also have a Heritage Committee with a mission statement. All in all I believe we are proceeding in a positive manner and if someone does not understand, please call or ask.
I am also troubled by the petitions, a petition that started for one reason, then a second petition and now a third petition because the previous petition was not filled out properly. The cost to date to the city is over $50,000. We have yet to have a hearing.
I find it sad when a few what I call the “Cave People” (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) can cause so much disturbance and cost. Money and time have been wasted that could go towards the very thing that they feel they represent.
We have budget meetings coming up and Union contracts to deal with.
Overall I am pleased with the progress over the last year and look forward to the same type of progress in 2016.
– Mayor Ed Smith