Mayor’s decision polarizes voters
Posted Feb 23, 2012 05:27:34 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Mayor Peter Kelly’s decision not to reoffer in the fall municipal election has become a polarizing issue for the citizens of Halifax. While some are pleased by the announcement others are blaming the media.
Callers to the Rick Howe Show were not shy about point fingers at several media personalities, including talk show host Rick Howe, as well as local labour leaders, pollsters and other Halifax Regional Municipality councillors.
“People like you Marilla Stevenson, Kyle Buott, Don Mills, Sue Uteck, the list goes on, who are you going to pick on now?” Tony told the talk show a few hours after Kelly made his announcement.
“I think you and the news media…have lynched him,” said Bert. “You’ve really done a job on Mayor Peter Kelly and you should be ashamed of yourself.”
Several callers also targeted Tim Bousquet, news editor at the Coast.
Bousquet published a cover story in the latest issue suggesting Kelly has mishandled a Bedford woman’s estate. The story named several charities and individuals who have not received their share of the estate, valued around $500,000, years after Mary Thibeault’s death in 2004.
“I’m responsible for reporting an news story, a public official who was placed in a position of trust and I examined some of that trust,” Bousquet told the talk show in his defense.
He said he doesn’t feel personally responsible for toppling a mayor, and said the media has not treated the mayor unfairly.
“It’s the job of the free press to scrutinize to challenge and to come up against power,” he said. “That’s my job. I don’t make any apologies for that.”
Other callers pointed out the estate-gate is not the only scandal to plague Kelly in the last year.
“The mayor’s resignation is long overdue,” said Elaine. “He should have resigned along with Wayne Anstey back when the concert scandal was going on.”
Former Halifax CAO Wayne Anstey resigned last spring over unauthorized loans handed over to a concert promoter.
“I’m glad that he’s going,” said Chris. “(There’s) all these secret meetings, going back to the Commonwealth games, the cash-for-concerts scandal.”
Twitter users were also divided in their opinions.
“Just heard #mayorKelly isn’t reoffering. Where will we find ineptitude on city council now ? Wait, I think just answered my question,” posted @DavidRWilson.
“I don’t see why anyone would want to be leader of a town where no one appreciates you, thank you #peterkelly,” wrote @BrinnyHugz.
“Quick, someone give Mike Savage a Staples “That was easy!” button,” added @megiemoo.
