Emotions flared as accusations and insults flew during a public information session on changes to waste collection in Okotoks.
More than 100 residents attended a public information session in council chambers on Sept. 6 to learn more about the upcoming recycling program, which is set to roll out Oct. 1.
When one woman spoke out in favour of the program and asserted people could afford the additional $87 per year and didn’t need to be consulted on changes to Town utilities, she was met with boos, name-calling and swearing and told to sit down.
Tensions remained high, as those in favour changes to the recycling program began lashing out at residents who are apposed.
Waste services manager Paul Lyons implored those in attendance to be respectful of one another’s views.
“I’m sure you sat here and listened to things you didn’t want to hear from me, but at least you gave me that respect and I’m begging you to do the same thing for other residents who are voicing their opinions, please,” said Lyons.
Coun. Tanya Thorn said people have become emotionally attached to the issue, resulting in a loss of rational thought and proper etiquette in many cases.
Since the plan was approved by council on June 27, there have been personal attacks and Thorn said she’s had enough.
“I have absolutely no problem with people having issues with the program or disagreeing with the program and expressing those, but there are constructive ways to express those opinions,” said Thorn. “Quite frankly, telling people to shut up and sit down because they don’t like what they’re hearing is not an acceptable expression.”
Some members of the public criticized council for not being present at the information sessions, held Aug. 25 and Sept. 6. Councillors Ed Sands and Tanya Thorn attended both sessions, and Coun. Ken Heemeryck was present for the first half of the second meeting.
Thorn said she was disappointed the rest of her colleagues weren’t there, with the exception of Coun. Ray Watrin, who is currently out of the country.
“There isn’t a single councillor that doesn’t realize there’s an issue with it, because we’ve been getting letters for two months and it’s not like we just planned the meeting two days ago,” said Thorn.
Sands said it didn’t bother him to be one of two councillors in the room at both sessions, because the seven elected officials share the load when it comes to attending events, meetings and public engagement.
“We have busy schedules, and there are things I can’t make it to that other councillors go to as well,” said Sands. “Tanya (Thorn) and Ken (Heemeryck) and I are certainly capable communicators to share with the other councillors the big picture as well as the nuance here.”
Sands said sentiments that councillors will all lose their seats in the 2017 municipal election because of the waste management program, don’t change how he feels.
“Whether I run again or not, it’s still important to make the best decisions for now and in the future and I think this is the best decision for in the future,” he said.
Sands said the fact the Town has received the amount of kickback its seen over the issue has been surprising, especially since 80 per cent of residents surveyed in town over the past two years supported the plan.
While he expected to see some upset people at the sessions, Sands said the level of anger and the negative reactions of people against one another were staggering.
“When that girl was speaking in favour, she really got shouted down,” said Sands. “That was rude. That was unconscionable behaviour. You can be opposed to things, we can’t all agree, that’s how we learn.”
Former councillor Laurie Hodson was in attendance on Sept. 6 and said he was disappointed by some behaviour.
“These folks are upset, but that’s not an excuse,” said Hodson. “There needs to be decorum in the council chambers, always. That’s one place where I think folks should come and be prepared to speak and to be respectful, and not everybody was.”
He said those who were most vocal feel passionately about the issue. While things got heated during the meeting, he said they shouldn’t be looked upon as “bad guys” because they spoke forcibly.
Beneath the anger, they had good things to say, he said. Their opinions were focused on the mandatory aspect of the program and the lack of consultation, he said.
“Folks take exception to that, they want to feel part of the process as opposed to having it pushed down their throat,” said Hodson. “They see it as being forced upon them and that never goes down well.”
He said the Town has made some serious errors in its approach to the waste management program and not consulting with the public, which resulted in the backlash at the meetings.
Okotoks corporate and strategic services director Nancy Weigel said the Town has learned its lesson when it comes to communication.
“I think there could have been some more detailed information early on,” she said. “If we could redo it regardless of whether we knew what the actual rates were going to be, I think we could have communicated that more.”
Weigel said the plan was promoted at Town events, in municipal buildings like the recreation centre and the library, online and inside utility bills. A larger advertising campaign, including print, may have helped raise awareness in the community, she said.
