Irricana council ordered CAO Alvin Melton to write an apology to a resident, Sept. 4. A note of reprimand was also put on his permanent employment record.
The move came after Melton contacted Valerie Squires’ employer in June complaining that she was sending emails to him during company time.
When asked if he would do the same thing if he could go back and do it again, Melton said “possibly.”
“I support whatever council has decided,” Melton added.
Deputy Mayor Andrew Carr and councillors Frank Dusome and Larry Martin voted in favour of the motion, while Mayor Lisa Constantini voted against it.
“All I can say is that I support council’s decision,” said Constantini when asked why she voted against the motion. She would not comment on the reasons behind her decision.
The incident began in mid-June when Squires asked Melton for clarification over budget cuts. Squires alleged that Melton would not give her an answer. Melton instead called Squires’ employer for clarification over the company’s Internet protocol.
Squires said Melton’s actions were a form of intimidation during the question and answer period at the July 16 regular council meeting. Melton defended his actions at the same meeting, saying it was “a professional courtesy” to her employer.
Squires submitted a formal complaint to the Town against Melton on August 13.
Squires said she was surprised and happy about council’s decision to reprimand Melton.
“I really just thought I was going to be patted on my head and sent on my way saying, ‘it’s being dealt with,’” said Squires.
She said her complaint was dealt with in a reasonable amount of time but that she was left in the dark about the outcome.
Squires added she had tried following up with the Town regarding her complaint but was given little information.
“That follow-up, I think, is critical communication,” Squires said.
At the time of the incident, Deputy Mayor Carr expressed concern over Melton’s actions saying the CAO was “bullying” Squires.
“As per directions of council, Alvin overstepped his authority a little bit here, and I’m sure he won’t do it again,” said Carr. “Council as a whole took a direction to fix this problem.”
While she hadn’t received Melton’s letter of apology before press time, Squires said she was impressed with council for taking the complaint seriously and dealing with it professionally.
“It does indicate to me that complaints will be dealt with,” she said. “This, I think, is a positive response by council.”
