Reader Mail

Given the many and growing numbers of mean-spirited happenings emanating from The Town of Kearney, Kearney’s new identity can certainly be summed up as the “Meanest Little Town”.

Recently the Town of Kearney lost 3 members of staff; one for poor performance, one as a cost savings cut, and one who just walked away in disgust. The “cost saving” cut was imposed upon a long standing member of the Kearney Fire Department and First Response Team who has been an inspiration to others and her caring approach in helping those in need is beyond words. It will be interesting to see how the Fire Department functions without a Fire Protection Officer, the Fire Department Administrator, and the First Response Captain. This move not only reeks of stupidity, it is just plain meanness. Fortunately one member of staff had the courage to file a complaint against the Mayor for Bullying & Harassment, and that has got the ball rolling to get rid of this mean-spirited, arrogant, nasty, farcical Head of Council.

If the Town of Kearney is so hept on cutting costs, why are we still carrying a CBO that will cost in excess of $250,000 over the 4 year term of council and is busy doing make-work projects like terrorizing our seniors and the elderly, trespassing on people’s properties with the dishonest excuse of a septic inspection program, and killing economic growth. Council has had the good sense to censure the Mayor but there is still evidence that the only tune the CBO dances to is the private misdirection being given by His Worship. When will council start reining in the Mayor and start the CBO packing?

Speaking of the CBO and mean-spiritedness, the young Outfitters couple, who have tried unsuccessfully to expand their Kearney business, have found that for every hurdle they jump, Hess throws up another. A new restaurant wants to open in Kearney but every effort has been foiled by Guess-who. Well, maybe Mr. Hess has barked up the wrong tree this time. And what about the Proudfoot (yes Proudfoot) property owner who requested to see his “building permit” file and was refused by the CBO. WHAT??? It took a Freedom of Information application to get access to the file.

Council and Town Hall Meetings have become a blood sport and the spot light is now on the noble 4, who have taken a brave initiative, to follow through on shutting the Mayor down.

The 2012 Kearney Regatta lost money for the first time in 60 years. Why? Was it cancellation of the street dance, the kids water sports, Battle of the Bands, Kearney Revue, the Northern Lights Steel orchestra. or the consequently very low attendance. Profits from year to year normally fund subsequent years so there is no cost to the tax payers. Through the mean-spirited attitude of Mayor Tomlinson and his ambition to kill the Regatta, the Kearney Regatta is now seriously wounded and may not survive another abysmal year as was 2012. Councillor Wills and her 2 Committee members made a valiant effort against the Tomlinson Tsunami but they too have finally thrown in the towel.

Any masochists out there, who would like to volunteer for lucky 2013?.

And finally, Council has asked Mayor Tomlinson to resign and he has refused. Given the low level of support Tomlinson received in votes and his rapidly diminishing base of Proudfoot support, why is he hanging on? He is viewed as the lowest of the low and if he hopes to reclaim any dignity, he must resign or endure 2 more years or disdain, to be followed forever as a social pariah in the Town of Kearney.