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Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on August 31, 2013, 10:33 am

Do you really think the City is being honest with this statement?
This conclusion of the suit has
confirmed that Council acted appropriately.

This had nothing to do with concluding this case.

CITY OF QUESNEL
NEWS RELEASE
Court Petition To Be Dismissed
.or Immediate Release
July 30, 2013
Quesnel, B.C. – The Court Petition brought by a number of residents against Councillors Brisco, Cave,
Coleman, Elliott and Roodenburg, and later Mayor Sjostrom, is to now be dismissed by Consent Order. The
Court Order that has been consented to by Legal Counsel for the petitioners and the City, provides as
follows:
“that such dismissal be for all purposes and to the same force and effect as if judgment dismissing the
whole of the Petitioner’s claim in the proceeding had been pronounced at the hearing of this matter
upon its merits”.
The case hinged on the legality of the payout of a severance payment to the former City Manager. The
petitioners alleged that the payout was illegal. The members of Council maintained that their decisions fell
within their mandate as Councillors, and that the payment was specifically considered when the
employment contract with the former City Manager was developed. This conclusion of the suit has
confirmed that Council acted appropriately.
Mayor Sjostrom commented that “Council is pleased to put this matter to rest. As members of Council we
are often called upon to make difficult decisions that may not be well received by everyone. I am proud
that the Councillors named in the lawsuit have the courage to make the tough decisions for the good of
the City. The Council members named in the suit have agreed to the consent dismissal of the case,
because that is the most cost effective solution for our taxpayers. As a Council we need to keep looking
ahead. This City and region face some big challenges in the near future, but also some real opportunities.
We are encouraging new business developments while we are actively working to improve our community
sustainability and livability. There is a lot to be positive about in Quesnel, and we want to move forward.”
‐30‐
Editor’s Note: This release is available online at www.quesnel.ca
For further information, please contact:
Carol Anderson, Communications Supervisor
Phone: 250.991.7480
E‐mail: canderson@quesnel.ca

Re: Honesty

Posted by Kefka on September 13, 2013, 8:06 am, in reply to "Honesty"

Paragraph 16 of the Judge's report:
"... the alleged flaws of Ms. Turner..."

If the judge was of the opinion that Ms. Turner had made a mistake, why qualify with "alleged". Anyways, you're just going to make up some BS counter-argument and we can go around in circles for months. Let's agree to disagree. Read the rest of what I've had to say below, though.

Pat, I have 4 questions for you. When you write the stuff on this webpage,

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

If you can't see that you've failed in at least some of those, you are in catastrophic self-denial.

The sad thing is, if you had just kept your mouth shut, Mary Sjostrom's clique would not win re-election next year. They've been terrible! But it's basically impossible to be in the Anti-Mayor camp these past couple of years because you and Thapar have been utterly insufferable. We're going to have 3 more years of this, and it's basically your fault - the Mayor can talk about persecution from a small cadre of individuals (true) and use it as an excuse for her lack of respect for taxpayers.

You want to formulate a legitimate case against Mary Sjostrom? Listen to this radio interview and how she describes the taxpayers as ignorant little fools, too stupid to understand the complex machinations of "networking"

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/British+Columbia/B.C.+Almanac/ID/2389473515/

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 13, 2013, 9:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Thanks for your comments.

Is it the truth? I posted all the judges comments how can that not be the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned? It is fair to all concerned to provide all documentation.

Will it build good will and better friendships? Depends on ones attitude towards providing all information to the public or not.

Will it be beneficial to all concerned? In the long run knowledge is beneficial to all.

I listened to the broadcast...interesting and wish someone had questioned her about her spending habits and how her "networking" affects our community. Liked the comparison between corp and elected officials.

I don't want to formulate a case against Sjostrom...I just want to provide information so people can make informed decisions.

Re: Honesty

Posted by Kefka on September 15, 2013, 8:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

You should sue Mr. Johnson for slander then. He called you a liar in a council meeting, and according to you, you did not lie!

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 15, 2013, 10:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

According to you, did I lie?

Re: Honesty

Posted by Kefka on September 16, 2013, 7:22 am, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

I think the difference between deliberately misleading and outright lying is small. Perhaps in the strictest definition of the term lying, you didn't, but I believe in the spirit of things, you did.

Thanks for posting Cave's invocation. I remember watching that and being shocked. I believe he is not mature enough to be a City Council member, and politicizing an invocation is a perfect example of that.

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 16, 2013, 8:40 am, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Thanks for your honesty...interested in running for council?

Re: Honesty

Posted by Kefka on September 16, 2013, 8:44 am, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Hahahahah! Not really! Wouldn't want to end up on quesnelnews.com

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 16, 2013, 12:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

There are positive things stated about council members if they prove they are there to represent the people, and not just those that voted for them.
I think you may fit that area even if we don't agree on issues. At least you are not afraid to speak out. I appreciate your comments!

Re: Honesty

Posted by Kefka on September 16, 2013, 8:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Actually we do agree on most issues. I strongly disagree with your methods in arguing those issues. I respond negatively to you because I believe your argumentative style and prominent influence on this session of council make it very hard for me to express similar opinions. I don't want to be associated with your combative argumentative style

For example, I live in Johnston and I think rental suites are a terrible idea for the neighborhood. Not because of unsavoury characters joining the community, but because I don't think the roads, driveways, and general infrastructure can support it. Leonard is particularly bad because of proximity to an elementary school. Yes, Quesnel has plenty of affordable housing. However, there needs to be affordable housing outside of the West Side. I moved my young family here three and a half years ago and I had to buy a house before I was prepared to simply because I didn't want my son to grow up on the west side. Spot zoning definitely has a purpose. However, when an individual breaks the rules and then asks to retroactively get the rules changed, that's not fair, especially if the residents that share the street are in disagreement.

But suing the city is not an option. Misrepresenting a judge is only going to make things worse. The judge made it clear: use your votes, not your lawyers! You forfeit the right to challenge Council on issues of spending when your lawsuits (and those of others) are costing the town thousands of dollars!

Ultimately, this town can only work if we all work together. We can get in a game of "so-and-so started it," but at some point, someone needs to be the bigger person. There are some great people in City Hall. Scott Elliot, for example, loves this community to death. And yet when someone like him is called out in lawsuits and accused of being an illegitimate member of council because of his housing arrangements, you run the risk of turning him into the adversary.

When Mr. Thapar is sulking in Council chambers every meeting and arguing at every opportunity, it makes us look bad and it furthers the animosity. I believe Sushil has the best interests of the community in mind, but I also believe he is a terrible detriment to the community as a member of council.

At some point, there needs to be a very public town-hall meeting where all these issues can get fleshed out; where everyone can air their grievances without fear of retribution. In my experience, there is never an argument in which one person/faction is 100% right and the other is 100% wrong. Let's quit the bickering and do it the right way. And why don't you be the one to offer that olive branch?

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 16, 2013, 10:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Do you have any idea how much the City has spent on legal advice trying to discredit others?

The division in the community is caused by councils actions to the peoples concerns. If you are not a "friend" of council then they will not listen to anything proposed. I always thought those proving input should be invited to get involved with the committees of council but that will not happen with this bunch.

Where Scott Elliott is concerned I offered to provide some information and he refused stating publically he would not listen to me. I lost respect for him due to his closed mind.

I was so hoping the court cases would be the end of my involvement of what was happening at city hall...I was happily stating I was finally finished but...recent decisions have made it impossible for me to quit.

You have a great idea about a public town hall meeting but it will never happen with this bunch. They don't want to discuss anything with the public. Sure some people could get together and have a town hall meeting like we did with City Hall purchase but that council didn't attend so what makes you think this one would? And they didn't listen to the concerns!

I wish we could all work together but this council is not interested in including anyone that disagrees with them. I always thought those showing concerns, for or against, should be invited to sit on council committees as they show they are concerned about the community and would be an asset.

The referendum on the multi center is the closest we will ever get to a "town hall meeting". There will be a lot of division in this community until this is over.

How would you suggest I offer that olive branch?

Re: Honesty

Posted by Quesnel on September 18, 2013, 1:45 am, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Start by admitting your own faults, and seek reconciliation. Let your pride take a back seat. Ask that others reflect similarly. Acknowledge all the pain, cost, and harm this fued you and sjostrom ha e has cost and that your mutual pettiness and jealousies maintained by using others to do your deeds over the years has to stop. Can you at least try by acknowledging the need for both parties to try, or for all parties to walk away and let others try and take the lead.

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 18, 2013, 6:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

My fault is trying to right the wrongs being done by this council and to provide documentation to taxpayers this council wants to keep from them.

If you think for one minute this has anything to do with pride you don't know me at all.

Who do you suggest should take the lead? Who can the taxpayers trust?

When someone uses their political position for their own personal gain, I am concerned and so should you be. There is no accountability for local elected officials and I am hoping with all that is going on with other levels of government, things will change soon.

We, and anyone should be able to question their elected officials and they should not be able to hide behind the Privacy Act. Open and honest government is all I strive for.

I work hard in all levels of government to make sure there is a level playing field and I have been rewarded from the others but what do I get here?

I love this quote for politicians and I sent something like this to another one of our mayors. ""Peace will come when we replace the love of power with the power of love".

Re: Honesty

Posted by Quesnel on September 18, 2013, 8:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Good quote. You and sjostro should take it outside. You each love having power over the other, you both manipulate others to achieve this, and we are all tired of it. Go take out your frustrations at the gymnasium, or with your two husbands, get other interests, but above all, move on and leave us be. We'll do fine.

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 18, 2013, 9:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

I am happy to hear you will be fine but just think, if council was open and honest I would have nothing to do...and I would love it.

If you don't care about what they do what are you doing reading quesnelnews? I am not pushing my site on you! You choose to enter.

I don't post all the negative things council does on this quesnelnews but if you really pay attention to what is happening in this community you will see there needs to be some major changes.

Re: Honesty

Posted by Kefka on September 19, 2013, 9:43 am, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

This is why the community is f'd, Pat. You are one side of the problem, and yet you can't admit a single fault. That's what I mean by an olive branch. You say a bunch of 'nice' ideals, but then you blame everything on the other side.

I am a total outside, and I can confidently say that you and Sushil are, at the very least, 50% of the problem.

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 19, 2013, 12:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Why is creating awarness of what is happening a problem? What would you know about what is happening within this community without Sushil or myself providing it?

Re: Honesty

Posted by Quesnel on September 19, 2013, 10:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

You cant seriously have us believe your motives are unselfisf, just as nobody I know believes that for your nemesis. Why cant you admit that?

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 20, 2013, 6:02 am, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Can you honestly tell me what I could possibly gain personally by spending my time reporting on the wrongdoings of City Hall? For years I did nothing on quesnelnews as there were no vindictive moves or concerns about City spending.
Why does it bother you the information I gather is made public?

I will never again get involved in helping someone, other than my family, get involved with politics as when they screw up I feel a bit responsible and must do whatever I can to undo the damage I did by suggesting people to vote for that person...in this case Sjostrom.

The latest vindictive move I haven't reported on yet!

Re: Honesty

Posted by Quesnel on September 20, 2013, 1:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Answering a question with a question... a sign of defensiveness or deceit for some people. You mention sjosro....Freud bas spoken and the spite driven fued is verified by your own hand.

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 20, 2013, 4:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

If she was doing everything right then there wouldn't be a problem would there?

Re: Honesty

Posted by Oh, Boy on September 20, 2013, 4:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

All these issues are related to the fact that Ron Paul wants to be mayor. Why can't you admit that, Pat?

Re: Honesty

Posted by ha! on September 22, 2013, 10:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Wouldnt give my name! Expecially with the mayors pets lurking! Iv tried to do community support myself, and ....it gave me a heart attack instead. Perhaps there is nothing we can do Pat?

Re: Honesty

Posted by Pat Morton on September 20, 2013, 4:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Honesty"

Here we go again. Just because you can't justify the action of this council you try to discredit others that have done nothing wrong. Changing the subject does not change the facts.

Things happen for a reason and some people can get over what appears to be a negative result to something they tried to do and later on understand why it didn't turn out as they had hoped.

You seem to forget I was a councillor and I feel it is my one of my roles in life to protect the taxpayers and my way is to provide information. If that offends you then please refrain from posting on this forum with your negative comments about individuals.

Why can't you post your name? What are you afraid of?

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