Here we go again.
In our Aug. 7 issue, the Leader published a brief saying that John Whittaker was no longer an employee of the Town of Barrhead.
Whittaker had been Barrhead Regional Fire Services (BRFS) chief since November 2011.
Our story was basically a brief because, quite frankly, we were not able to find out any information except that he is no longer a town employee as of July 30.
At the time, we found that somewhat odd in that the town did not announce Whittaker’s departure, but we gave them the benefit of the doubt believing more information would be forthcoming via either the County of Barrhead or Town of Barrhead at their prospective council meetings.
Since the town is the unit of authority over the fire department, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that county councillors chose not to comment leaving it to their urban counterparts.
However, the town did not release any further information regarding the situation during its Aug. 14 council meeting, and we find that unacceptable.
While we understand the need for discretion and privacy in situations such as this, we all have read accounts of how innocent people have had their lives destroyed by someone making false accusations, but that doesn’t mean that town and county ratepayers do not have the right, in very general terms, to know why the relationship between the town and Mr. Whittaker came to an end.
That is all we are asking for. We are not asking the town to commit libel or put itself in jeopardy legally, but there has to be a way for the town to give a Reader’s Digest version of why our former fire chief is not the current fire chief.
Unfortunately for us, this is something Barrhead area residents have seen before at the school division level.
Over the last number of years Pembina Hills Public Schools (PHPS), has been less than forthcoming regarding the departure of its employees, especially superintendents.
Case in point: Richard Harvey left his post in 2010 under mysterious conditions after serving four years as superintendent.
It took nearly five years until area residents learned the circumstances surrounding his departure thanks to a Newfoundland court case. Harvey pleaded guilty to making $29,000 in fraudulent expense claims while working for PHPS.
Then there was Harvey’s replacement, Egbert Stang, who worked for the division for about a year before departing for still unknown reasons.
The most recent example is that of former PHPS Supt. Colleen Symyrozum-Watt who was terminated from her contract last year after an investigation by an ad hoc committee of trustees regarding complaints about harassment and bullying.
Prior to the town council meeting we spoke with chief administrative officer Martin Taylor about the timeline on a potential search for a new chief. He said to check back with him in a couple of weeks.
When we do, we hope the town is prepared to let its ratepayers know.
