An open letter to:
Board and chair,
Kitimat-Stikine Regional District
Dear Sirs:
I found it ironic that the regional district chair at its October meeting apologized for the board’s behaviour at the previous meeting only to have the disrespectful behaviour continue.
During a presentation by director Diana Penner on recycling issues, one of the directors was not in her chair for the beginning of the presentation and on her return spent a lengthy portion of the presentation distracted in paperwork. This director exhibited her discontent with the presentation by silent verbalization and facial expressions.
On completion of the presentation she then berated director Penner verbally, very loudly and terribly disrespectfully. I found this very upsetting. Others on the board smiled and smirked between each other while this continued. The next director to speak was informed, jokingly, to talk nicely, before she responded to director Penner’s presentation. At no time was the other director spoken to.
I have observed this behaviour in prior meetings and nothing seems to change if the presenter has a difference of opinion with the board. It also appears that who you are and what you wish to discuss has a bearing on how long you can talk.
I do realize that the board and regional district staff face difficult decisions but if in my years of employment in the medical profession I had acted in the manner of some directors at the regional district meetings, I would have been unemployed.
Of late I have seen election material stating “people before politics.” I am sorry to say that has not been my observation at many regional district meetings.
Sandra Kirby,
Terrace, B.C