It’s the quintessential he said-she said scenario.
Coun. Sushil Thapar and Mayor Mary Sjostrom are, once again, at odds over city business.
This time it’s over a motion of censure taken during a council meeting in late June.
The motion was passed against Thapar “following a series of events and comments that negatively affected a number of city employees.
A motion of censure is a formal statement council is reprimanding one of its members for conduct it feels is unacceptable.”
Thapar denies any wrong-doing and blasts Sjostrom for “muddying the waters and hiding behind staff.”
Sjostrom says she has nothing to hide, adding the motion is “not about the mayor, it is about mayor and council putting something in place to protect staff.”
The rift between Sjostrom and Thapar began early this year when a blown travel budget from another councillor caused a much-heated debate within council.
Since then Thapar, council’s finance chair, has requested 38 pieces of information dealing with council’s finances.
He says he’s looking out for the taxpayer, she says he’s trying to discredit her.
Sjostrom also alludes to the fact it’s an election year and says residents can decide for themselves in November.
Now whether that’s the case or not the “gong-show” that is resembling Quesnel City Council has certainly caught the eyes, ears and voice of Gold Pan residents.
And that’s a good thing.
We need to pay attention to our elected officials, how they operate, how and where they spend our money and how they conduct themselves.
We put them there. We can just as easily kick them out.
But don’t rely on rumours, a single story or, more importantly, opinion.
Watch council, check out the city’s website, read, listen and ask our esteemed council for yourself.
This is gearing up to be one hell of an election year. Do yourself and this city a favour: pay attention.
–Autumn MacDonald, Observer
