Fairness & Redemption

It is reasonable to expect fairness from people with a history of being responsible for law enforcement, education of children and management of personal finances. The same can be said of those dealing with vulnerable people whether they are food bank recipients or new immigrants looking for a better life.

As a collective, Medicine Hat city councillors represent all these fields.

But collectively, to Hatters, a King’s Bench justice and the provincial privacy commissioner, the institution is failing in applying itself in a fair fashion.

They are failing Hatters in such a spectacular way around the horseshoe that one can’t be blamed for questioning the ability of these individuals. That’s applicable for how they operate in the public and private spheres outside of council.

Hatters raised fairness concerns during the last municipal election, the debate on utility rates, regarding the sanctions on the mayor and through freedom of information requests as a last resort.

Calls, emails, letters and in-person discussions with Hatters have all been unable to convince councillors they are failing Hatters on the most basic idea of understanding of what is fair.

During her campaign run, first-time candidate Coun. Ramona Robins expressed her thoughts to Community TV on the “old boys club” perception which dominated the 2021 election.

Coun. Ramona Robins

“If somebody lies to me, I’m not going to let that go,”

“If somebody lies to me, I’m not going to let that go,” said Robins to Community TV in a campaign interview. “That idea of persistence, to make sure we get to the truth, is what I do.”

Few would argue that wasn’t exactly what Mayor Linnsie Clark did.

Yet, Robins voted to sanction the mayor despite what she should have known, as an officer of the court, would likely be considered unreasonable if the issue found itself in front of a judge.

She sits on a governance board of an organization which has castigated Community TV, describing it as being a political advocacy organization for highlighting hypocrisy through parody. This, despite displaying no issues with utilizing Community TV to spread her campaign message.

Community TV isn’t singling out Robins to embarrass the councillor. She’s the only councillor who appears to have any redeeming qualities left around the horseshoe.

And it should be noted, she is the only one to indicate she won’t be seeking re-election.

Hatters can’t be blamed if they see the rest of councillors for what they are, a collective of people who have displayed absolute disdain for the residents of this city.