Town of St. Paul CAO Ron Boisvert apologized to council for using his work email to send a partisan message urging a list of around 80 people to support PC candidates Doug Horner and Alison Redford, at council meeting on Oct. 24.
“I would like to apologize to mayor and council for any inconvenience that my email may have done to any of you,” he said.
In his report to council, Mayor Glenn Andersen thanked council for its response to the media attention after Boisvert’s email.
“I want to thank council for sticking with the issues … that really meant moving forward, and not getting caught up in the innuendo and the issue of who sent the email. We never did focus on that because we really didn’t think that was important,” he said.
Council has hired a consultant to draft policy guidelines, which will come to council on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m., before the regular meeting.
The policies will guide the entire operation of the town, Andersen said after the meeting. The new policy guidelines will include a section on email use, he said.
Council had passed a resolution for administration to look into a computer use policy after the national media attention on Boisvert’s email.
Town management planned to review its personnel policies separately this week, said Boisvert after the meeting. He said administration plans to make a change to the part that applies to computer use.
Pipeline support
Andersen attended a Northern Mayors and Reeves conference in Edmonton in October, which discussed seniors housing, MSI and the labour market, he reported. The Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline through northern B.C. has had its challenges because of environmental concern and land issues, another issue discussed at the conference, reported Andersen.
The pipeline aims to meet the growing Asian Pacific market and to reduce reliance on the U.S. “It would have a huge impact and a huge impact on Northern Alberta,” he said. The Northern Mayors and Reeves plan to write a letter of support for Enbridge.
Council notes
Town campgrounds were very well used this season, reported Coun. Gary Ward.
Coun. Don Padlesky asked if the Town can increase camping fees to match provincial rates and if the Town would consider charging for wood. Rec. Director Scott Walker is undergoing a review of rates and whether to charge for wood, responded Andersen.
Both hockey rinks are up and running, Ward said. The curling rink should be running this week.
The St. Paul Aquatic Centre has hired a new manager from Ontario, who started last week, reported Ward.
“He’s got very extensive pool knowledge in regards to management,” he said.
