Updated Post about So-Called Unreasonable Behavior

[Previously published on April 23rd, 2025]

We remain committed to respectful, peaceful dialogue with our municipal government. 

Unfortunately, the Town Council has placed new restrictions on Concerned Citizens under their Unreasonable Behavior By-Law:

1. We may only contact Town staff in writing, via the front desk.

2. Duplicate or non-actionable follow-ups will not receive a response.

3. Legal action may be considered if Town staff or officials feel harassed or defamed.

We also regret to share that our request to meet with Council was declined.

Despite these challenges, we will continue advocating for our community with integrity and transparency.

Questions about this matter should be directed to the Town Office.

#ConcernedCitizens
#CommunityMatters
#CivicEngagement

For full disclosure, you can see the letter from our Mayor received last week below:

[Updated May 10th, 2025]

Now that the minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on April 15th are posted publicly on the Town of New-Wes-Valley's website, I'd like to draw your attention to the wording of Council's decision to stop us (us meaning citizens of New-Wes-Valley who are concerned about municipal politics) from having open discussions with our Councillors:

RESOLUTION 25/174 -  DAWN STAGG/BARRY TUCKER
Be it resolved after legal advice to proceed with legal letter based upon vexatious, frivolous, unreasonable persistent request and complaints to the discussed committee.
In Favour 6: Mayor Tiller, Deputy Mayor Stagg, Councillors: C. Smith, B. Tucker, P. Vincent, T. Gill
Opposed 1: B. Howell
Abstaining: 0
RESOLUTION CARRIED: Councillor Howell noted that she opposed to this resolution as she feels that if a meeting had been arranged from the beginning, we would not need to send this letter.    

First, let's get a full understanding of the wording used:

• vexatious: causing or tending to cause annoyance, frustration, or worry
• frivolous: not having any serious purpose or value
• unreasonable: not guided by or based on good sense; beyond the limits of acceptability or fairness
• committee: a group of people appointed for a specific function, typically consisting of members of a larger group; a group of people who meet to make decisions or plans for a larger group or organization that they represent.

Most of our Town Councillors think that it is annoying, frustrating, and worrying to have members of the public ask questions about information that is by law our right to know.  Most of our Town Councillors think that our questions have no serious purpose or value.  Most of our Town Councillors think that asking questions about our tax dollars, about our water quality, about the qualifications of our staff, is unreasonable.  Do you agree with that?

I would think it very worrying if no one in our town showed up for meetings, asked questions, or provided feedback.  

At least once, maybe twice, I remember hearing Councillor Hoyles suggest to Council that a public information session be held to discuss the proposed water treatment plant over the course of the planning stages.  That hasn't happened.  Why not?  Is that another frivolous question designed to annoy and worry?  Or is it a perfectly reasonable question?  What do you think?