An internal memo sent by the City manager provides guidance on municipal election and suggests city staff use code of ethics (submitted photo/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

leaked email

City staff to strike delicate balance during municipal election

Sep 24, 2021 | 6:01 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– The signs that an election campaign is in full swing in our city are everywhere, but according to an internal memo obtained by CHAT NEWS, it can be an intense time for city employees.

This memo confirmed to be sent by CAO Bob Nicolay, said employees teeter between public servants who carry out the direction set by council and engaged residents who ultimately decide who is elected.

Former police chief, Andy McGrogan who is now running for council said it is a balance public servants have to strike.

” You don’t want to appear to that you are a part of the political landscape during a municipal election. It is really tough for I guess city employees because most of them are also residents of the city they have a vested interest both personally and through work.” McGrogan said.

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With no formal protocol, Nicolay suggests staff follow the code of ethics, by not placing private interests with actual, potential, or apparent conflict with the city. And that if city employees choose to support candidates they may be perceived by the public as being bias.

submitted photo/ CHATNewsToday)

Mayoral candidate Alan Rose said the letter is concerning.

” The concern I have is that if the people in the administration are following the code of conduct. The front-line worker, nobody is going to notice if a clerk from the city is out promoting some event. But it is mainly the administration and the department heads,”

Rose is doubtful city administration has been following the code of conduct themselves citing the Invest Medicine Hat request for proposal process which is currently under a third-party review.

“My view like I said with Invest Medicine Hat is that there is very little transparency there. There are other deals I heard at city hall with very little transparency, and I have even heard stories about certain interested parties that are employees that own land around the Riverfront development,” Rose said.

The city declined an interview request on the letter, stating the city manager was only responding to numerous inquires from staff seeking clarity on how to behave.

Brad Gruszie is a former city employee of 10 years who is also running for a seat on council. He said in his 10 years, he has never received a letter from the city manager advising staff on municipal election conduct.

“I’m not sure what or if there is an end game but I do find that (the letter) very inappropriate,” Gruszie said.

But McGrogan applauded the letter sent by the CAO and said it is pretty standard for city staff to have an expectation of being unbiased come election time.

” When you work for the city you are a public servant, and he (Nicolay) just wants to make sure that they stay safe, and that we appear to be neutral,” McGrogan said

Council candidate Marco Jansen looked at the letter, and said his views two-fold.

“It depends on how that letter was meant. If he was actually answering legitimate queries from staff wondering what the appropriate way is for them to participate in the election then that’s terrific. But If, however, he was trying to influence staff as to who they should be supporting or what kind of candidates they should be promoting or not then that almost goes against the very guidelines he was presented in that letter,” he said.

In the letter, city staff is advised not to use city time, resources,or equipment to support candidates, and they are urged to use thoughtful deliberation and judgment should they use choose to lend support.