She said it wasn’t personal, but it sure turned out that way.
It still may not be clear exactly what Town of Cochrane Coun. Marni Fedeyko had in mind when she hatched the idea of bringing a motion forward to suggest council have a publicly-recorded vote on CAO Mike Derricott’s leadership.
But if it was to stir things up, she got her wish and then some at the council meeting Sep. 25 when tempers flared in front of a packed gallery at the RancheHouse as one-by-one the rest of council weighed in on their opposition to her idea.
By the time Mayor Jeff Genung launched into his prepared remarks, Fedeyko had already displayed a few angry facial expressions, clearly showing her dismay at what she was hearing.
And by the time Genung spoke, Fedeyko, who had pushed the green indicator light at her seat (indicating she wanted to respond) folded up her papers and stormed out of chambers, loudly slamming the door in her wake.
She did not return.
Fedeyko told The Eagle prior to the meeting that she had heard legal advice from Town administration that any public discussions of individuals’ job performance could open council to legal challenges.
Put differently, it’s OK to talk about a staff member’s performance in camera, but not publicly.
Exactly how that tightrope might be walked in a public forum is a subject for legal minds or textbooks.
Importantly, as Genung pointed out prior to opening the discussion, HR issues were required by municipal law to be debated in camera.
As the discussion revolved around the room, the only thing clear was that nobody was clear on what the purpose of the discussion was.
Genung, who waited for the others to voice their concerns, was also visibly upset that this issue was even being discussed in this way.
He said he didn’t know what Fedeyko’s motion was trying to accomplish.
“It serves zero purpose – zero. It’s absolutely unnecessary, and it is placing the taxpayers of Cochrane at risk,” he began.
“What are we even doing here? “Why are we here?” he asked, his frustration clearly evident.
He added council has a clear process to evaluate the performance of the CAO, and are obligated to do so annually.
He explained the last one resulted in a positive rating, including feedback and criticism from council and anonymous input from staff.
“This notice of motion has been created to be no more than a spectacle and a public hanging driven by mob mentality, fueled by social media, misinformation and the cherry-picking of certain pieces of information that without context have led to rumours and ultimately, a trial by media,” he said.
He said he was also concerned with the way Fedeyko went about raising the issue.
“Even the way this was brought forward is concerning, and reckless,” he added.
Genung called it a confidential personnel issue that was brought forward, “blindsiding colleagues.”
One of the two legal opinions the mayor said he’d read described the notice of motion as representing real financial risk to the taxpayers of Cochrane.
At this point in his remarks, Fedeyko – who sits beside the mayor – noisily closed her laptop and gathered her things, but remained sitting.
But Genung was just getting warmed up.
He shifted gears to an issue he said he’s happy to finally address – the tone of social media in local political discussions.
“My only regret here is we should have stepped up and addressed this months ago – months ago,” he started.
He said council chose to join the silent majority and remain quiet in hopes that their “process, good sense, and good government” would prevail and quiet things down on social media.
“Instead, I’ve been bullied, harassed, intimidated and threatened, and sadly, my family has been dragged into this mess,” he said.
Genung said he was ashamed and embarrassed by the tone of attention this issue has brought to council, administration, and the community.
He said he’s talked with residents who are afraid to post positive comments on social media, for fear of being shamed, attacked, and ridiculed.
As he referred to the “drama these antics are creating,” Fedeyko had heard enough, and as if on cue, got up, saying, “I’m done,” and walked out, slamming the door as she left.
Genung punctuated his point about drama by pointing at Fedeyko as she walked behind out him.
When he was done, the full gallery applauded loudly.
Coun. Morgan Nagel called the mayor’s talk the best speech he had ever heard in council chambers.
Prior to the drama, Coun. Susan Flowers had previously voiced her strong opposition to Fedeyko’s motion.
“No one has a right to break the Municipal Act to serve their own purpose.”
She went on to express her dismay with what she called “the ongoing social media circus” surrounding the issue, including attempts to intimidate her into voting a certain way.
In the end, council (minus Fedeyko, who was still absent) unanimously defeated the notice of motion to have a public vote on the CAO’s leadership.
It was nothing personal.
