Chaos erupts at controversial sod turning
Kings County Warden Diana Brothers seemed impervious to the chorus of hecklers and their jeers.
A chaotic scene ensued when Brothers and other municipal delegates held a sod turning ceremony for the proposed new municipal complex in Coldbrook Sept. 19.
A group of about two-dozen concerned citizens gathered on a nearby street to voice their disapproval. There were a handful of candidates in the upcoming municipal election in attendance.
Although they didn’t have to intervene, there was an RCMP cruiser in close proximity on Coldbrook Village Park Drive.
“Keep digging, Warden,” one man was heard to exclaim. “Make that hole big enough to take the whole damn bunch of your group.”
Others could be heard yelling “Shame,” “Referendum,” “What’s the rush, Diana, what’s the rush?,” “We’re paying the taxes” and “Have you named the contractor?”
“So, Diana, it’s not just me that’s complaining, OK,” John Calpin of the Kings Citizens Coalition said.
After the sod turning was brought to an abrupt end, Brothers said it’s important to tell the full story. Councillor and mayoral candidate Peter Muttart issued a news release Sept. 18 outlining concerns about the new municipal complex and opposing the sod turning.
Brothers said it’s “rather disappointing” that Muttart would show “disrespect for a decision of council.” She said Muttart is a member of the Kings Citizens Coalition, a fact he didn’t deny when asked.
“That should be concerning for the residents of Kings County,” Brothers said.
She said the strategy for completing the municipal complex project was approved by council last December.
“Peter Muttart has demonstrated that he is not going to abide by the wishes of his council if he becomes mayor,” Brothers said.
On the other hand, she said, she has and would continue to demonstrate respect for council decisions.
“For anyone to say they were surprised or didn’t know what was happening is a complete misinformation in the public,” Brothers said.
Muttart said he shares the perception that the project is being rushed so that a newly elected council won’t have an opportunity to give input. He said he’s taken his position out of respect for taxpayers and the new council that has yet to take their seats.
“It’s the new council that’s going to have to live with this,” Muttart said. “The warden of this municipality presently is the person who has led the decision- making process and she’s already chosen to step down, so she’s not there to take responsibility once construction starts.”
The sod turning triggered an intense response from concerned citizens. He said it was, relatively speaking, unannounced and didn’t come to the council table.
Muttart said the request for proposals for the new complex was issued only days ago and won’t close until Oct. 12. At that point, the municipality might discover that there aren’t any bids or that the design approved by staff, not council, can’t be completed within the established budget.
He said the sod turning itself is not a huge event but it’s a symbol council has decided to “ignore the constant questions of the public around the issue of the new municipal complex.” Muttart said the reason “legitimate” questions are being asked is the municipality invited citizens to take part in consultations.
A group of citizens stormed out of a Sept. 6 meeting after a public discussion of the project failed to make the agenda.
To watch a video from the sod turning, visit www. kingscountynews. ca.