By Letter to the Editor on January 26, 2021.
Dear editor, Mr. Clugston is like every other elected official, thinking of his own re-election. Selling the city’s power division is considered because of the attractive offers from private industry. The industry is making these offers because they understand the long-term value of the division. Stripping the citizens of power independence and allowing the industry to profit from that is their plan. Turning Medicine Hat into another small city without note or merit will be the result of the plan. And people who are only worried about re-election want to stand out. Well, you have done that, you are standing out. The mayor’s sources of information are already highly suspect – he voted against the mask bylaw. Why several members of the council did that is their business, (but) that they did it is our business. Having demonstrated a lack of basic understanding of science, they have turned their eye to finance. The ultimate insult is suggesting we are all unable to understand the issues and to refuse a plebiscite. This is especially true given the lack of basic knowledge already demonstrated by this council. Why are we faced with elected officials who refuse to listen to the electorate? Is this the new normal? Before taking any more steps, how about making an effort to listen to us. You say you will listen and then refuse a plebiscite, how is that listening? A plebiscite might let you know that you are on the wrong track and have been all along. It is easy to listen, that you choose not to makes your motives suspect, it diminishes the council. The other way to discover that you might be wrong is to refuse to listen and do what you want. Then when we do have a civic election we will remind you that we are in charge, not you. David Latimer Medicine Hat 18