Public meeting called over firing of chief

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 15, 2008

The entire community of Coldstream is being called to show its support for their recently fired fire chief – Leo Lecavalier. The Coldstream Ratepayers’ Association has called a town hall meeting at the Coldstream Women’s Institute Hall Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All members of the public are invited to attend. “We want to rally for the fire chief,” said CRA president Gyula Kiss. “Apparently the firemen are 100 per cent supportive of the fire chief, both here and in Lavington.” It’s hoped residents will rally together to call on council’s decision to dismiss the volunteer chief, who was just shy of his 25-year service mark. Coldstream council canned the chief Aug. 1, but it has yet to release any public information behind its reasoning. The firing comes less than a month after Lecavalier publicly expressed dismay with how the building of the department’s new fire hall was handled – specifically communication issues. Although it’s not clear if his concerns spurred his dismissal, Kiss says council shouldn’t fire someone just because of a difference of opinion.

Lecavalier has not only been dismissed as fire chief but he also cannot be a regular member.Kiss is appalled that council can or would revoke Lecavalier’s right to volunteer. Mayor Gary Corner has stated that this is a staffing issue, as Lecavalier is considered a member of Coldstream staff. “It’s a very crowded issue here,” said Kiss. “On the one hand they consider him a staff member but he doesn’t get the protection a regular staff member does.”

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Morning Star EDITORIAL Mayor just doesn't get it

It's increasingly obvious that Coldstream Mayor Gary Corner doesn't understand the severity of firing the community's volunteer fire chief. Corner has stated that he's more than willing to discuss the matter with the firefighters if he is asked to, but why is he putting the onus on them? It was Corner and his council that dismissed Leo Lecavalier as chief, a position he was elected to by the rank-and-file membership. It should be Corner and his council going to the department and explaining why the decision was made. Corner also likes to point out that staffing is handled by the chief administrative officer, but it was a decision of council to fire Lecavalier. Politicians can't walk away from something they are ultimately responsible for. Corner also doesn't expect the municipality to provide any details on the dismissal to the public because personnel matters are confidential under provincial legislation. But while that may be true, it's convenient to hide behind the rules when you know your actions have caused a lot of harm and upset people.

On the other hand, Coun. Bill Firman is showing leadership when he says he will make a motion to disclose how individual council members voted on firing Lecavalier. One would hope the rest of council will support Firman in his attempt to shed some light on the secretive, back-room issue. What may ultimately get council to provide some transparency is public pressure, and that is expected to begin Thursday when the Coldstream Ratepayers Association holds a town hall meeting on Lecavalier's dismissal. We would encourage Corner and the rest of council to attend the meeting and hear directly from those they represent.