Birch Hills council chamber. (Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Political unrest

Birch Hills prepares for by-election, following resignations of elected council members and administrator

Sep 9, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Randy Wojcichowsky maintains he did the best he could, but enough was enough.

The now former of mayor of Birch Hills is one of three recent resignations in the community. Both he and longtime administrator Tara Gariepy resigned in July; and then Councilor Shannon Simpso vacated his seat last month.

Wojcichowsky told paNOW he was exposed to harassment, bullying and even threats.

“It was all in a days work as the mayor of Birch Hills,” he said. ‘It affected me negatively and it’s more than I’m willing to put up with.”

When asked to elaborate on what was happening, Wojcichowsky claimed he was receiving text messages and emails at all hours of the day, requesting private meetings. And prior to council meetings, he said he receiving packages at his private residence, containing information he claimed was designed to sway his vote and provide a private citizen with some sort of gain.

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“I think people thought with a newly elected council we would just open up our cheque book and give people what they wanted,'” he said.

Anonymous sources have explained to paNOW prior to last year’s election there was a movement within the community to have a specific group of councilors elected. Wojcichowsky confirmed there was at least one citizen who thought that they had built themselves a regime.

“Once they realized I was not going to be a part of that, there was a target put on my back,” he said.

Moving forward, Wojcichowsky said there is a good team of councilors in place, but argued there needs to be a better system in place to protect elected officials, and to give council the authority to dismiss a fellow councilor should they step out of line.

paNOW reached out to Councillors Lyle Evans, Graham Tweten, Dean Braaten and Heather Knutson for comment, and all declined, but there was indication by Braaten that a joint statement may be provided.

Gariepy could not be reached for comment regarding her personal reasons for stepping down as the town administrator.

“It’s unfortunate the town lost such a prestigious administrator,” he said, adding there appeared to be a lack of understanding within the community that the administrator does not make decisions. “Hopefully now can she attend her children’s events without fear of being harassed over decisions made by council.”

Response from Shannon Simpso

Shannon Simpso resigned his council seat two weeks ago, and openly admitted he and the mayor did not see eye-to-eye on a lot of things. During his time on council, Simpso was accused of multiple code of ethics breaches by fellow council members.

He explained the allegations of harassment were in direct response to his own quest for answers, relating mainly to financial records.

Simpso said he wrote them all up for code of ethics misconduct, and referred the matter to the government auditior.

“Immediately after that conversation with the auditor, Randy and the administrator resigned,” Simpso said, adding in the weeks that followed he was exposed to harassment from both council members and general members of the community.

“I was so in the spotlight I shut down the bakery and resigned [from council],” he said

According to the town’s website, the town office is closed this week for “staff holidays.” Nola Nevland, who last month was appointed temporary acting CAO for a period of three months, was not available for comment. Councilors Knutson and Braaten both however confirmed the by-election has been scheduled for Nov. 17.

Response from Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA)

Not knowing the ins and outs of what was happening in Birch Hills, SUMA President Rodger Hayward expressed he did not want to comment on that specific matter, but explained municipal councils do have a number of tools at their disposal to address harassment.

In 2019, SUMA and SARM launched a harassment prevention template to help municipalities foster a harassment free workplace.

“Our employees and elected officials, and even the general public, deserve to be in a harassment free area,” he said.

Municipal leaders also have access to a peer network who can provide coaching on interpersonal conflicts.

“It’s not a be all, end all but it’s somebody you can talk to to find your way through those delicate issues hat we sometimes have on council,” he said.

Editors note: This story was amended to remove comments made by Simpso. They referred to accusations not proven in court.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell