Little is being said about the Longview council’s decision to fire its chief administrative officer last week, but the move has prompted some residents to call for a provincial review.
Just hours after Vicky McGonigle was informed her appointment as Longview’s CAO was terminated, a group of residents organized a public meeting at the Honky Tonk Tavern on Dec. 1 to encourage the people to sign a petition calling for Municipal Affairs to conduct an operational review of the Village.
One hundred residents, representing almost half of Longview’s voting population, signed the petition and the document was submitted to Municipal Affairs on Dec. 5.
McGonigle, who said she began working for the Village in May 2015, was invited to speak at the meeting where she informed the more than 40 people in attendance that she refused the severance package she was offered.
“Had I accepted that offer I wouldn’t have been able to speak with you tonight,” she said. “I turned that offer down because I care about the faces I’ve seen tonight and I care about the village. This isn’t at all about me, this is about your village. If there is a grassroots interest in making the community a better place, I will help.”
McGonigle refused to comment further on the stipulations of the severance package, nor would MD of Foothills corporate communications officer Leslie Lambert.
McGonigle encouraged those at the meeting to ask questions to their Village council such as whether or not a policy is in place for working on public property, if there are sufficient reserve funds to maintain and replace infrastructure in Longview and how close the village is to its debt limit.
“I know the answer, but I’m not allowed to tell you,” she said. “We need to have somebody bring the community back to a place where there is not that level of intimidation and where your staff can do what they’re supposed to do.”
The former CAO said she was grateful for the opportunity to speak at last week’s meeting.
“It was important for me that, first off, I get a chance to say goodbye to them and, secondly, that they know there is a way to move forward,” she said. “I know there are some people in the village who have respect for what I tried to do.”
McGonigle said she’s had some concerns while serving as the CAO, including the fact that a private meeting was held between council and some residents in May. McGonigle said she was refused attendance and minutes weren’t recorded.
When asked for details about the meeting and whether or not it took place, deputy mayor Carole McLeod, who was Longview’s mayor at that time, refused to comment.
Longview resident Rick Smith gave residents some insight as to what an operational review would mean for Longview at last week’s meeting. He said the review looks in depth at the governance and financial health of a community.
“I know there’s a feeling of hopelessness (in Longview),” he said. “I’m hoping to turn a corner and achieve the greatness we all deserve. We’re lucky to have Vicky help in any way that she can.”
Smith, who grew up in Longview and returned 16 years ago, said several villages and towns undergo operational reviews.
“The Longview residents need to request this review,” he said. “Every stone will be turned over. If there are issues they will find them, especially if there are concerns about the financial health and governance of the village.”
Ivor McCorquindale, who attended the meeting and served as mayor for the village from 2004 to 2013, said he doesn’t see a need for an operational review.
“I just think it’s a sleight towards council,” he said. “If people want an operational review I hope that they appreciate what they’re voting for.”
Mayor Kathie Wight, who didn’t attend last week’s meeting, said if the community wants an operational review she is willing to go along with it.
“I haven’t really noticed any incidents that would require an audit, but it wouldn’t hurt anything either,” she said. “If that’s what they feel we should do, well fine. Council has nothing to hide.”
Wight said she hopes the concerns of residents who signed the petition are cleared up by the review, if it takes place.
“If there are any gaps in the system we will work at closing them,” she said. “We have had several different challenges in the past, but the Village has to move forward and not look back.”
