Urgent message to Springfield Residents
I regret to inform you that Mayor Therrien plans to use the last council meeting prior to Christmas to pass the procedures bylaw amendments that will effectively shut down public opinion and participation at council meetings. All current and future issues and concerns affecting Springfield residents will now be unable to be heard and debated in a public forum.
THE COUNCIL MEETING IS PLANNED FOR A 6:00 PM START TUESDAY DECEMBER 17 AT THE SPRINGFIELD MUNICIPAL OFFICES.
PLEASE ATTEND.
Therrien plans to speed-track major changes to our municipality that will transform Springfield’s rural identity to more closely resemble a suburb of Winnipeg and effectively alter the benefits and values currently appreciated by Springfield residents. Therrien’s support for Sio silica and 20-50 the WRM plan to absorb Springfield into greater Winnipeg will be just the tip of the iceberg.
MAJOR TAX INCREASES ARE COMING.
Existing residents will be expected to pay servicing upgrades enabling 200 serviced lots to be created annually. We will be expected to pay north of $55 million dollars plus interest via property tax increases, to pay for this unpopular and unfair plan to be implemented by Mayor Therrien, and councillors Fuhl and Warren.
We the residents have already paid for our own fresh water and wastewater services. Why should we pay again for sewer and freshwater services for small lots in the Dugald / Oakbank corridor? Is it not the responsibility of Tory builders and developers to pay for their own development costs?
Remember, in October of this year, over 200 residents, many of them STRC members, attended a special council meeting at the Dugald Community Centre. Over 50 of those who attended took to the podium to voice their frustration and concern that the mayor intended to muzzle residents’ participation at all future council meetings. They unilaterally requested Therrien’s to withdraw the legislation, to the applause of all who attended.
It’s now obvious that Therrien, Fuhl, and Warren had no intention of withdrawing the legislation.
What does it take, you ask?
A continued pressure by residents is the only way to stop these irresponsible rogue mayor and councillors. Acting in bad faith and exceeding one’s authority is obvious and detestable, in the opinion of STRC.
Also enclosed in this newsletter is the Charter of Rights Advocate Group (constitutional lawyers) letter to Mayor Therrien and council confirming that the removal of public discourse in municipal governance is unconstitutional.
So Therrien, Fuhl, and Warren may be morally and constitutionally corrupt in their efforts to silence the very people they were elected to represent.
As a past conservative federal party advisor and organizer in Manitoba, particularly in the riding of
Provencher in the 80’s and 90’s, and Past President of the Provincial Conservative Party in Springfield, I am ashamed to have supported Therrien for Mayor in the 2022 municipal election.
I have never seen a man so bent on intimidating and running rough shod over his constituents, hell-bent on shutting down public opinion, which is vital for residents to voice the concerns and issues of our community.
His campaign commitments to open, transparent, honest, and inclusive government, was merely “politics”.
Therrien is The Grinch who stole Springfield right out from under our noses, and make no mistake, he is the Judas amongst us.
Allan Akins
President, STRC
Charter of Rights Advocate Group:
https://mcusercontent.com/26d2d821b0c44572dc0b5fd18/files/4e8ff015-e6f2-3649-0fca-9f87654021bd/CACltrtoRMofSpringfieldCouncil_Sept16_24_426ab4dc15.pdf