I am writing concerning Ms. Sheila Fea’s letter published Aug. 30 in the PNR.
She calls into question not only Mayor Alice Finall’s leadership, but also my and Councillor McMurphy’s ethics. I think that North Saanich residents are fed up with this type of untrue and unsubstantiated character assassination.
The premise of Ms. Fea’s statements are ludicrous. Whenever a consultant presents a report to any level of government, a report which has been publicly funded, elected officials are obligated to question/challenge that report; the methodology, the research, the analysis and finally the conclusions. This does not malign the report, but rather brings clarity and understanding, as to whether the consultant reached rational conclusions based on the original terms of reference, and the research and if it presents value for money.
This is an integral part of the process of good governance. We would be remiss in our duty if we did not ask questions of the consultant.
I will place my ethics and values under scrutiny at any time. I am a retired executive member of the federal public service with 37 years of dedicated, ethical service to Canada.
Ms. Fea’s judgement of me and of Councillor Elsie McMurphy, a life-long, committed member of the teaching profession, is fabrication in the extreme, as well as defamatory.
In the service of all residents and businesses of North Saanich, I have continued this highly developed sense of ethics and values, both in dealing with people and with issues which arise.
Ms. Fea’s letter does not add value to the discussion on the Housing Strategy report by CTQ Consultants. Instead, it adds acrimony and anger to the fuel of the fracturing of the current Council of North Saanich.
Celia Stock, Councillor
North Saanich