Councillors Call Clark's Comments on her Actions and the Judicial Review ‘Misleading'

Medicine Hat, AB - Mayor Clark spoke to the media on Thursday regarding the judicial review process and her feelings on the issue at this point.

The Sentinel reached out to multiple councillors that have watched her interview or read her comments to respond to Clark’s position and statements.

Clark’s comments, such as “it was up to council to put in different sanctions or to remove the sanctions before it got to judicial review,” and “I hope that there’s a lot of lessons learned in this process,” have upset more than a few councillors.

Her comments are seen as untruthful and misleading the public as to what has actually gone on, and Clark’s actual actions, or lack of actions are the reason the City is in this position.

Councillor Andy McGrogan told the Sentinel, “I just watched the interview, and she has really turned this around. She initiated the judicial review, the City of Medicine Hat was reacting to it. We are wasting taxpayer’s dollars because she won’t apologize and show the least bit of humility by admitting that she could have been more tactful and respectful in her approach both leading up to, and during the August 21 meeting. If she wants the sanctions lifted it’s been clear to her from the start what she needs to do. The only ones suffering are the residents who want us focusing on City business.”

Councillor Hider, who has grown extremely frustrated by this issue and the actions of Clark, stated, “The Mayor has made no effort to make any sort of change, or work with council to bring this to a close and move forward. Clark’s statements are, “misleading the community” and “she is not telling the truth.”

Councillor Shila Sharps, who initiated the complaint, "found it disturbing to hear comments suggesting that the Council was out to get Clark and the other disgusting comments made by her Counsel. It is disheartening to see that despite efforts made to accommodate her and make things right, she failed to take responsibility for her actions and offer a simple apology. It is truly unbelievable that she could not find it within herself to utter those two words, "I'm sorry.""

When asked about Clark's honesty and not misleading the public, Sharps states, "she often uses the term "transparency" as a weapon, yet if she truly embodied transparency, she would have disclosed that this Council has made multiple attempts at mediation, all of which she rejected. She would have shared that individual Council members have tried to engage in dialogue with her, only to be met with refusal. Perhaps she would have admitted that she was the one who banned a particular media group from the Council floor and allowed administration to take the blame. True transparency involves addressing issues within your own domain, not deflecting the spotlight onto others."

When Sharps was asked about Clark's comments about doing her job, Sharps states that "when I saw Clark's statement claiming she has been consistently doing her job, since her sanctions I was taken aback. It is no secret that Mayor Clark has been absent from City Hall for quite some time." Sharps goes on to state that Clark "shows continued disrespect to council and presenters and is habitually late; even when we were privileged enough to have George Cuff present, she casually strolled in 10 minutes late. Even as recent as our last Agenda Review meeting, I was under the impression she was on holidays, however she informed the Clerk's office and our admin assistant that she would be attending. We waited till after 11 and as there was not sight of her and I asked the MD to proceed and she never did show up."

Clearly councillors feel Clark is unwilling and unable to accept any responsibility for her actions and words and has refused to mediate or negotiate unless council removes sanctions. Decision on the judicial review is expected at the end of September.