First - The cost of council operation is record high due to an unprecedented 40% increase in council wages and the elimination of half-day meetings, so it doesn’t matter whether the council meets for a half hour or a whole day they receive a full-day pay.
Second - Having three administrators during the year is another first for McKillop.
Third - Five council resignations, Reeve Howard Arndt, the late Joan Stricker, Bruce Bondar twice (once as councillor, once as Reeve) and Kim Roberts. Please note Reeve Howard Arndt resigned because he is not prepared to jeopardize his integrity by being part of an RM council, which showed themselves as being prepared to put self-interest ahead of good governance.
Fourth - Council decided to pay money to the former Councillor Andy Kudorewko, after both being defeated in the 2018 election and being found, by the courts, to have put himself in a severe conflict of interest position. As such, the courts ruled that he is prohibited from holding public office for twelve years, another historical first.
Fifth - Never before has a reeve, Bob Schmidt, come to council with an open court case against the very RM to which he is Reeve. Mr. Schmidt petitioned the courts to overturn the RM of McKillop’s council’s legitimate and legal actions to protect Fox’s Point from commercial development.
Sixth - Never before has anyone; filed a formal complaint with the RCMP for Breach of Trust; as well as a complaint with the administrators association about an RM of McKillop administrator, then that person goes on to become Reeve (Mr. Schmidt).
By the way, the complaint filed with the RCMP went nowhere, and no further action taken.
Seventh - Never before have people: repeatedly stated that a forensic financial audit and a managerial audit was required to uncover the wrongdoings of the administration and council (The findings of those audits sent to the RCMP for further criminal investigation); used dirty tricks, misinformation, and at times outright lies to convince enough ratepayers to sign petitions forcing audits and then go on to become Reeve, Bob Schmidt, and Deputy Reeve, Garry Dixon.
Eighth - Never before have a Reeve and a Deputy Reeve, along with the rest of council, been put in such an embarrassing situation that they continually try their damnedest to distance themselves from the audit reports. Reports that clearly and unequivocally stated that there is no evidence of theft, fraud or other criminal or inappropriate civil activity.
The council has made every attempt to avoid the fact that this whole process has cost you the ratepayers of McKillop in well above $100,000 and approaching $200,000. These costs include: approximately $12,000 for the Government inspection, roughly $40,000 for the Government appointed supervisor, $75,000 for the audits conducted by the audit firm Myers Norris Penny, and of course fees charged by the RM’s legal council. The cost of in-camera (Private, excluding the public) meetings where council members strategize on how best to put lipstick on this pig. Let’s not forget the administration costs associated with the days of work to locate and provide almost three years of financial and administrative documents for the auditors.
All in all, not a pretty picture. It will be interesting to see what the years ahead will bring regarding this council.
- Bob Wilson
Bob Wilson is a former RM 220 councillor and lifelong resident of the RM of McKillop.
Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed are those of the writer.
