Editor:
Re: Chesney censured over ‘defamation’, April 29.
Please consider the following letter for publication regarding White Rock Coun. David Chesney’s antics.
I think the coverage given so far has been very one-sided. As far as I know, registered newspapers are obliged to provide opportunity to both sides and to check for facts in relation to assertions made by the people they are quoting.
Regan Ross, in his letter to the editor (Political fallout, May 1) was very perceptive in his understanding of Chesneygate.
Any sympathy for Chesney is totally misplaced. Chesney is not the victim here. He is the victimizer. He now seeks to blame everyone else, whereas, in reality of course, he is the only one to blame for a situation he has put himself in. No one else did it to him, he did it to himself. No conspiracy by others is involved.
Chesney deserves to be censured. The toxicity among council is entirely of his own creation. Mayor Wayne Baldwin was obliged to follow the rules, which is why he could not reveal in detail the reasons for denying Chesney normal councillor duties (Councillor defamed, mayor says, May 1).
The comments that Chesney published on his website, written by crony Don Pitcairn, smeared another councillor with the vilest analogy that could be imagined. Chesney quickly replaced the offending comment in a modified version shortly thereafter. However, many people had already read the original article, including myself.
I was surprised to see Coun. Helen Fathers supporting Chesney (Father’s disputes mayor’s claim of privilege breach, May 6.). Shame on her.
For Chesney, or anyone else, to blame the mayor and the rest of the council for the situation of his own making is unconscionable under the circumstances. Whatever his faults, Baldwin has sacrificed his own reputation to protect the office of mayor and his maligned councillors.
Instead of being pilloried, Baldwin should be commended for steadfastly following the rules.
White Rock residents deserve councillors with integrity, conscience and sense of responsibility.
Speaking as a city representative, Chesney proceeded to trash a TV meteorologist with an outrageous attack on her attire during her pregnancy (Maternity criticism draws fire, May 6.). This is yet another example of his outrageous behaviour while representing the city. He then took a gratuitous swipe at all pregnant women who work until birth and then take a year maternity leave.
This is not the kind of bigoted comment that should be allowed when one is speaking on behalf of the City of White Rock.
If Chesney had any integrity and conscience, he would resign immediately and make way for a more deserving candidate.
Keith Knightson, White Rock
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Re: Maternity criticism draws fire, May 6.
I am writing this today as I feel that the women who were slighted regarding their maternity wear deserve a much deeper apology.
Under no circumstances were the comments excusable. Nor should they be accepted as anything less than one man’s indescribable horrific ramblings where, first of all, he had no business and, second of all, showed zero understanding, respect, compassion and decency.
Expectant mothers should not be subjected to this type of behaviour. They deserve better and we should all stand up and cry out foul. They are our humanity, our future, our hope, our blessing.
We as a society are not to make it more difficult for them or any other woman. We must all take a stand to immediately stop this behaviour.
It is trying for any woman to have to work during pregnancy. Leave them alone and maybe give them a hand. Help out, show compassion, show respect, show some decency.
I’m deeply upset at what was said, and I wish all the best for not only expectant mothers but for all women. Men, stop this nonsense!
Garry Wolgemuth, White Rock
