City talks; residents share concerns about city council and staff following decision in judicial review

By BRENDAN MILLER on August 29, 2024.

bmiller@medicinehatnews.com

The News took to the streets downtown on Wednesday seeking reaction from residents after a ruling in a judicial dispute between Mayor Linnsie Clark and council was delivered Monday.

In essence, King’s Bench Justice Rosemary Nation gave a partial win to both sides of the dispute. Council was found reasonable in its decision to hold Clark in breach of conduct, but ruled most of the imposed sanctions to be over the top.

Several Hatters walking downtown Wednesday told the News they are relieved to see a decision reached in courts and say they agreed that several sanctions placed on Clark were excessive.

“If they are fighting inside then they are not focusing on the major issues the city is facing,” said Syed Naqvi. “Once we take a look at the bigger picture they both are losers. When it comes to as a voter, or as a Hatter, you just realize that they are either actually there for us (citizens) or there is inside fighting, it feels like they’re pulling each other’s leg right now.”

“I felt bad for our mayor that her salary was halved and that she couldn’t participate in her usual capacity,” said Margaret Devine. “In a way this was the best outcome that could be, but whether everybody can move on or not, because nobody won in a way.”

Several residents who wished to remain anonymous told the News they were happy to finally see an outcome reached between both sides, including one man rushing into a local business.

“I think that we voted for her, so she should be the one that’s our leader and I don’t think anybody else should have a right to sideline her, simple as that,” he said.

“I’m just happy to see that the mayor was reinstated, that was my main concern,” says Cheryl. “And I’m happy she’s back where she should be.”

“Initially I wasn’t feeling that happy about the mayor,” says Louise Grier. “But then I attended a city hall meeting with a friend of mine and I was watching the dynamics of city hall and I realized that the city manager was far more in the wrong than the mayor. I didn’t feel that the mayor was treated well at that meeting.”

The judicial review, requested by Clark and held on an expedited basis, was tasked with determining two legal points.

They were whether Clark was afforded fair treatment in the city process that came to a correct conclusion, and whether the sanctions placed on her were reasonable.

Clark has said she will seek court approval for the city to cover her legal costs.

— with files from Collin Gallant

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