Council members no-show for meeting

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 19, 2008

Much of Coldstream council will miss a debate on the community’s fire chief being dismissed. The Coldstream Ratepayers Association will hold a town hall meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Institute Hall. The focus of the meeting is council’s recent decision to fire Leo Lecavalier, who had volunteered with the fire department for almost 25 years. “We have offered them an opportunity to explain themselves,” said Gyula Kiss, association president. Councillors Doug Dirk, Jim Garlick and Glen Taylor have indicated they can’t attend because of previous commitments, while Mayor Gary Corner has decided not to show up. “If they (association) come up with something to present to council, that’s a more appropriate route,” said Corner. “That’s not an appropriate route (town hall meeting), council is. That’s why we have it.”Coun. Bill Firman has confirmed his attendance at the meeting, while there has been no response from Councillors Mary Malerby or Carol Williams.

Lecavalier was elected chief by the volunteer members of the fire department, but the district insists that it has the authority to determine who is chief. No details about Lecavalier’s dismissal have been revealed, and Kiss believes it’s time the public got some answers. “What was the basis of his firing?” said Kiss. Kiss is anticipating a large turnout for the town hall meeting and he expects those residents present will direct some resolutions towards Coldstream council for a response. “We want an explanation of what’s happening,” he said.