Coun. Shila Sharps says council is still able to get work done despite an ongoing leadership crisis. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat councillor focuses on constructive dialogue over insults, says she’s open to meet

Jul 3, 2024 | 5:14 PM

Coun. Shila Sharps, who filed a complaint that led to an investigation and sanctions against Medicine Hat’s mayor, said Wednesday she avoids engaging with insults or online vitriol to instead focus on constructive dialogue with those willing to engage respectfully.

WATCH: One-on-one interview with Sharps

“I try not to expose myself to that negativity because the people that really want change will email you or call you or text you and say, ‘I totally disagree with what you said here, can we meet?'” Sharps told CHAT News anchor Dan Reynish in an interview.

Instead of hurling negativity through social media or emails, Sharps said she welcomes disagreement through respectful dialogue.

“I have never had a conversation yet in three years, where we haven’t been able to part ways at the end of a coffee and say, ‘okay, I learned something. I’m not sure we agree yet, but at least we’re a community’, and we can talk to each other.”

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Sharps’ comments echo similar responses given by Mayor Linnsie Clark and Coun. Ramona Robins, with all three saying they want open, constructive dialogue with the community.

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“All of us feel that way, I don’t know anybody that doesn’t answer if it’s a real request and it’s not violent,” Sharps said.

Sharps filed a code of conduct complaint following a tense exchange at an August 2023 meeting between Mayor Linnsie Clark and City Manager Ann Mitchell.

The complaint led to a third-party investigation of the incident that was used as a basis by council to sanction Clark, limiting her mayoral powers and cutting her salary in half.

A judicial review filed by Clark in an effort to undo the sanctions will have its day in court in August.

Sharps said she’ll be watching if she has time.

“If I’m not super busy at work, yes, I will watch,” Sharps said.

— with files from Dan Reynish