NDP questions MHA’S involvement in mayor’s letter

MHA says mayor dictated letter to his staff

An

NDP member of the House of Assembly says political staffers should not be writing letters for municipal leaders to sign.

Gerry Rogers, MHA for St. John’s Centre, said she’s concerned about the message this situation sends to municipalities.

Her comments come in light of recent revelations that an aide to Bonavista South MHA Glen Little wrote a letter for Bonavista Mayor Betty Fitzgerald to sign and send to Tourism Minister Derrick Dalley.

The letter was recently posted online by CBC News, who report it was never sent to Dalley.

The letter concerns Coun. John Norman’s participation in a news story regarding the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse and Mockbeggar Plantation, both of which need repairs.

They are designated as provincial historic sites.

The letter states Bonavista “has a good relationship” with the province and “is gratified” to receive support from government.

“We do not wish to jeopardize our standing by going to the media with this type of negativity,” said the letter, which also stated Norman was acting as a “concerned citizen.”

Rogers said people should feel free to speak up about issues in their communities.

She added municipalities should not feel the need to be grateful for government support, as all citizens and communities in Newfoundland and Labrador are entitled to that support.

As for Little, Rogers said his office should be writing letters on Little’s behalf, raising the concerns of councils in their district and not for municipal leaders themselves.

In an e-mail sent to The Telegram Monday evening, Little said it was Fitzgerald who dictated the letter to his constituency assistant.

“This was simply a case of the CA being helpful,” he wrote. “That's really all there is to this story.”

Fitzgerald could not be reached for comment prior to deadline.

Last week, she told CBC News it was her idea to have Little’s aide write the letter.