Re: “Mayors did their best in handling complex police-chief case,” comment, Oct. 9.
With reported total costs of more than $1.08 million incurred for former Victoria police chief Frank Elsner’s suspension, the fact that Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins and Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, as reported, had attempted to settle the misconduct matter with a “letter on Elsner’s file,” now weighs more heavily.
Neither the editorial recommendation to pass such local government disciplinary responsibilities to retired judges for action, nor the current commentary that the mayors “did their best” in this matter are adequate answers to this critical issue.
Whether police, fire or other senior staff, disciplinary authority over local-government personnel must remain at the municipal level.
Perhaps the answer for sorely needed greater mayoral talent is to, with significantly increased benefits, entice experienced and skilled executives from industry or higher levels of government to seek local-government leadership.
An expensive solution? Undoubtedly. Worthwhile? Certainly.
Ron Johnson
Saanich
