Thank you for writing the editorial of Nov.8th, 2019, p.4.
It is long overdue. Your courage in putting into writing what needed to be written is commendable. Well done.
Although there are many characteristics of a good mayor --one being able to handle adversity well-- how successful Tolmie has been as mayor is dependent on how he has left the community. Is it in better shape than before he came to office?
In a small community, finances and infrastructure are two important aspects. As far as I can gather, our taxes are up and infrastructure still needs work. (as an aside, it took months for the city to repair a large hole near Palliser school, a route travelled by parents daily. Our mayor and city administrators get an F on both these counts.)
I have no doubt the Mayor has the betterment of the city in mind and wishes to bring economic benefits to our city. He is trying. Having said that, the Mayor is what you describe in your editorial. He also lacks the ability to handle adversity well and his common sense appears to need some sharpening.....changing of the city nickname-- FRIENDLY City to NOTORIOUS City? Put the question on a ballot and let us see if the moniker is what Moose Jaw citizens want...that is if the number of votes is VALID. (Another aside-I can't believe the Mayor and one other council member believed an online survey vote of 200/300 (my wife and I being two of them) counted as being a valid representative number in a city of over 30 thousand).
Lastly, respect for the Mayor has soured because of his constant brow-beating of a fellow council member who has served MJ for 24 years (also years on the School Board). It is imperative that each and every council member be able to ask pertinent questions on administration's hand-outs and especially the financial concerns that may appear. Swanson is one of the best councillors that I have seen in action/met and that includes those in Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Vancouver.
As for Mayor Tolmie, my recommendation is that he go into Provincial and/or Federal politics where his behavior is more typical and therefore seemingly acceptable, unfortunately. Condescending and confronting appear to be attributes that would make Tolmie an ideal candidate. As a mayor he has failed because he can't/couldn't control one council member ....nor should he have even tried.
A public apology at a council public meeting would be in order as you recommended... let's see what type of man our Mayor is!
-- Gene Rizak
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
