RE: Rob Matthews “Letter to Rocky View” ad, Oct. 3, page 3.
Dear Editor,
The email that Rob quoted was sent to all who had attended our April 27 scrutineering session and/or expressed interest in our Sept. 27 session. That included all our members as well as some residents and candidates.
I won't rebut Rob's comments line for line. If he had read Jessi Gowan's article the previous week there would be no question as to our motives and/or agenda.
"As a trade union, Salkeld said the association is a political organization. According to Salkeld, one of his goals as president has been to increase the organization's visibility and gain additional exposure in a positive light."
We haven't, can't or won't deny this is political action. It is yet to be proven to be partisan.
Since the beginning of this initiative we have consistently declined invitations from candidates to assist with their campaigns. We are purposely not associated with Rocky View Forward or Rocky View 2020 in any way. If any organization, political or not, chooses to recognize our vocation and/or promote our clearly stated motives, that is their right.
Our job is to provide for residents' safety and wellness. Our mandate and right as a union is to promote and protect the safety and wellness of our members doing that job. Post-election we do hope to have a better understanding of the newly elected council and their "friendliness" to public safety and the workers providing it. We do plan to have a political impact that will be aggressive in comparison to the current non-partisan service-only initiative.
Amongst all Rob's accusations, allegations and selective excerpts, there is no solid evidence of our wanting, or being able, to affect election results. The Local Authorities Election Act is clear. We must and will abide by it throughout the election process or suffer huge public perception and political damage if we don't.
It seems throughout this election cycle, the only skepticism is from those that "doth protest too much methinks." I would suggest it is Mr. Matthews, amongst others, who can't determine the difference between scrutineering and electioneering, not the Rocky View County firefighters.
Jeff Salkeld
Rocky View County Firefighters
