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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Why not just ask Sheegl?
dale cummings / winnipeg free press
The controversy over a series of land deals has evolved into a cancer that is rapidly eroding the public's confidence and trust in the administration and political leadership at city hall.
Coun. Russ Wyatt raised the ante again by demanding the resignation of the city's chief administrative officer, Phil Sheegl, for mismanagement and incompetence. But Mr. Wyatt, or any member of council, could help staunch the vicious cycle of suspicion by moving a motion directing Mr. Sheegl to meet with councillors and answer their questions.
Some questions are pretty basic, such as who ordered an increase in the size of a new fire hall, and for what purpose? (A report is apparently expected this week, but only because the project requires more money). Also, who decided or recommended that a plan to build four new fire halls be broken into four separate deals, rather than one large deal, so it wouldn't need council's approval?
These are the type of questions that are answered in the normal course of affairs at city hall every day. In fact, council's standing policy committees routinely summon civic administrators to provide answers and information on the full range of civic business.
Mayor Sam Katz, however, has said the public will have to be patient pending the outcome of two audits into civic real estate transactions, including the circumstances surrounding a land-swap deal that ended with the city building a fire station on land it did not own.
The public may have to wait for the results of a comprehensive review, but there's no reason the city can't provide answers to basic questions. The pending audits in no way interfere with the city's ability to enlighten the public.
Mr. Katz and Mr. Sheegl both emerged from the world of small business, where speed and efficiency are considered virtues. But those values don't always translate very well in public administration, where accountability, transparency and process are also considered virtues. Ironically, each man is displaying great caution in answering questions when they should be concentrating on getting the job done, which in this case means serving the customer with the information he and she wants.
If the mayor won't move a motion to call Mr. Sheegl to account, then someone else on council should get the ball rolling today.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 24, 2012 A8
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