The Wellington developer, Kaitlin Corp., held a meeting a few weeks back to reassure everyone that they are keen to start building and therefore will be paying their share of the water infrastructure renewal. But also they presented their intent to ask for some amendments to their plan of subdivision in order to offer a wider range of housing styles, streets and laneways (i.e., less GTA like) and price points.

Ryan Guetter, as the developer’s consultant, faced anger and accusation from many attending the meeting.

But he wasn’t the only target of the attack: the regular assault on our staff continues in several forums, calling into question their professionalism, integrity, motivation, and competence. It is simply wrong. It’s disrespectful.  And it’s dangerous, because our people have options. Other municipalities are always looking for talent. I fear we will see some big-time resignations out of this never-ending criticism of municipal staff—our fellow neighbours—who are simply doing their job to the best of their ability, following the process, Council’s instructions, our Official Plan, Secondary Plan, and provincial legislation.

We struggle to attract staff because we have little affordable housing for them; we’re a rural outpost far from friends and family; and as a small-budget municipality we struggle to offer competitive salaries. So we’re lucky our municipal leadership team is still intact. But for how much longer?

Attacking the integrity of someone in an attempt to win favour strikes me as the lowest form of persuasion. Always focusing on what’s wrong instead of looking for what’s right suggests a distrustful and skeptical outlook on life. What we need more than ever is to come together in these challenging times, in the spirit of civility, respect, and with at least a modicum of trust.

Staff and Council are attempting to explain what needs doing in Wellington and why, and hence hold these information sessions. For those among us who want things to stay the way they are (almost all of us), it’s not what we want to hear. But controlled growth over the next 20 years is what we need. There are undeniable facts and legal obligations that make it so. Please let’s not alienate the people who are working on our behalf to make the best of a very difficult situation. Thank you.

Mike Harper

Wellington