B.C. TOWN CRIER’S SHOUT-OUT.
Endorsement ‘violated code of ethics’
The ad appeared last week on page three of the Peninsula News Review, a small paper in the retirement town of Sidney, B.C.: a picture of incumbent mayor Steve Price’s smiling face next to a quote from a supporter saying Price has worked “tirelessly” for the island community and deserves re-election when the town goes to the polls in October.
But that supporter is no ordinary Joe — his name is Kenny Podmore, he is Sidney’s official town crier, and according to one persnickety resident in this Vancouver Island town of 11,000, Podmore’s public endorsement has violated a cardinal rule of being town crier: remaining politically neutral.
“The institution of the town crier is an ancient, noble art that comes with a strict code of ethics,” James Finley wrote in a letter to the newspaper’s editor, published this week.
“Clearly, Podmore has violated this code of ethics.”
Typically decked out in colourful regalia, town criers issue proclamations on behalf of their community and attend special events, like parades and park openings. They usually get people’s attention by ringing a bell and yelling “Oyez,” an AngloNorman term that dates to medieval times and which is the rough equivalent of “Hear ye!”
In an email to the National Post, Podmore, a former town councillor, called Finley’s accusations “mindless” and insisted that his endorsement of the mayor was done in his capacity as a private citizen.
He said he had “in no way” broken any codes of conduct. “There are a small number of people (and not all residents) who are out to remove Mayor Price and will stop at nothing.”
The mayor confirmed that he and Podmore are friends and that he asked for Podmore’s endorsement.
“As far as public relations goes, the guy’s gold,” Price said. “He’s just a legend around here.”
Price said critics were making a “mountain out of a molehill.” If the ad had mentioned Podmore’s role as town crier or if Podmore had stepped out in his uniform and issued a public cry in support of Price, that would be a different story — but none of that has happened, he said.
Finley, who describes himself as an independent ecologist, has taken his complaint to the highest authority he can — the U.K.-based Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers, which purports to be the largest and oldest organization representing town criers around the world. Calling Podmore’s alleged ethics breach an “affront to common decency,” Finley has asked that the guild remove Podmore from its ranks.
The Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers did not respond to the Post’s request for comment about the ad. It is not clear what action if any they could take; Podmore told the Post he is not a member of that guild or any others.
Sidney’s town council and its then-mayor appointed Podmore to the role in December 2003. He is not considered an employee of the town but does receive a small honorarium, increased at the beginning of this year from $1,500 to $3,000 to cover travel costs and “periodic replacement of the regalia” he wears.
The town has established a basic set of rules (“terms of reference”) for its crier, including one that states “there shall be no political attendance or cries” in their official capacity.
The mayor’s opponent in the upcoming municipal election, Cliff McNeil-Smith, said the ad demonstrates a potential lack of judgment by Podmore and Price, as Podmore is “widely recognized through the community … as town crier.”
But Randy Humble, the town’s chief administrative officer, said he looked into the matter and concluded Podmore had committed no violations.
Finley told the Post it doesn’t matter that the ad did not specifically refer to Podmore as town crier. “It’s a small town. They know who he is.” He rejected the suggestion he was raising a fuss for political reasons and ”would have called this on anybody.”
Reaction from other Canadian town criers was mixed.
Brent McLaren, town
AS FAR AS PUBLIC RELATIONS GOES, THE GUY’S GOLD.
crier in Perth, Ont., said he exercises caution when it comes to expressing his political views. During election season, he and fellow criers in the province “get very quiet.”
“You will not see a municipal sign on my lawn,” he said. “I don’t express a political opinion. I would love to write letters to the editor, but I don’t.”
Robert Alexander, 90, town crier in Victoria, B.C., said his job is to remain neutral when it comes to religion and politics. While he hasn’t and wouldn’t publicly endorse a candidate, he sees no problem with Podmore, who is a friend, doing so, as long as it’s in his capacity as a private citizen.
“We live in a democracy … freedom of speech applies” he said.
The only beef he has with Podmore is that he gets a $3,000 honorarium.
“Lucky bugger,” said Alexander.