Energy Meeting Shocks Attendees With Its Exclusive Guest List
Terra Petryshyn (COMH Comm. “Specialist” was big mad!
Medicine Hat’s latest transparency showcase features a whopping six whole people, a familiar cop, and the looming spectre of privatization of a public utility.
And I almost got arrested, again!
With exclusive dramatic footage (Editor’s Note: Video pending city approval 😝
MEDICINE HAT — In a riveting display of democratic engagement, a grand total of seven whole humans—all Chamber of Commerce admin staff, and city communications, city solicitors, admin, you get the idea; more hosts than guests—gathered this week for a very publicly funded -private chat about the future of Medicine Hat’s electricity monopoly. The topic? Whether the city should turn its beloved public utility into a Municipally Controlled Corporation (MCC), a fancy way of saying "future shareholder plaything." And don’t worry, citizens—your input wasn’t just unnecessary; it was physically discouraged, as one reporter (yours truly) can attest, having been threatened with arrest again for the high crime of quietly sitting in a public building. (Shoutout to Officer Bourne, who’s now 2-for-2 on threatening me over *checks notes…existing near democracy.)
The OWL Crashed the “private” BS.
The Meeting That Wasn’t
The city, in its infinite commitment to transparency, opted to discuss the potential corporatization of Medicine Hat Utilities—a move that could eventually allow it to be sold off—behind closed doors with a handpicked audience. Because nothing says "we value your concerns" like excluding the very people forced to buy power from the city’s monopoly. (That’s right, folks—you can’t shop around for electricity here. It’s the city’s way or the dark way.)
When pressed on why this wasn’t a public meeting, officials muttered something about "stop filming" or "your camera threatens me" which, as we all know, is bureaucrat for "we’d rather you not see how the sausage gets made—or sold off to the highest bidder."
The MCC Mystery Box
For those just tuning in, here’s the deal:
- Medicine Hat Utilities is currently a city-run monopoly—you must buy your power from them.
- The city is flirting with turning it into an MCC, a corporatized entity that could, in theory, be privatized later.
- No one asked the public if they’re cool with this. (Spoiler: They’re not.)
- Seven 7️⃣ whole people got to weigh in, though! Progress! SEVEN!
The Usual Suspects
The best part? This isn’t even the first time the city has pulled this stunt. In fact, it’s becoming something of a tradition—like Christmas, but with less cheer and more thinly veiled threats from law enforcement. (Seriously, Officer, we’ve done this dance before. At this point, you should just bring a "Reserved for Journalist Harassment" parking spot.)
Mary predicted it. "They will say that they had a meeting and so many people showed up and now they’re ready to do the deal," not only was the document a piece of shit, it seems that the overall public engagement has been eliminated, like your dad’s job if he crosses Ann Mitchell… Secret-self-appointed Dictator of Medicine Hat.
Terra (spelled like a flat earther would spell a name) was SUPER AGGRO!
What’s Next?
Let’s all hold out on property taxes until they can the narcissist CAO? Anyone with me? Will the city release minutes from this super-secret, ultra-exclusive gathering? Will they finally explain why selling off public infrastructure to private interests might be a bad idea? Or will they just wait until everyone’s distracted by the next council scandal (coming soon: "Who Approved That Golf Course Expense?")?
I’m gonna say it… I don’t think Shila Sharps got a hole-in-one 🕳️ ⛳️. I think she’s lying - no witnesses? Who golfs alone?
Anyways.
You wanna see them kiss? AI Meme generators, to me, are way funnier than pointing and laughing with your tongue out.
Very professional. Not at all absurd.
#gloryholecops
Stay tuned—or don’t. Either way, the city sure isn’t. Seems some councillors have already checked out.
