With a municipal election in the offing, if nothing else, Derek Fildebrandt’s recent woes as the Strathmore-Brooks United Conservative Party MLA have highlighted the attention paid to our elected politicians.
Fildebrandt is a provincial politician, rather than municipal, but his recent, rather spectacular, crash and burn should be enough to send strong messages to candidates of all political stripes and leanings.
Really, the only question remaining in regard to Fildebrandt’s series of alleged wrongdoings is whether it’s enough he stepped away from the UCP party, or whether he should be in politics at all, even as an independent.
Beyond allegations that he was involved in a vehicular hit and run which he didn’t report, the fact that as former head of the Canadian Taxpayers Association and Wildrose shadow finance minister, he was busted for renting his taxpayer-funded Edmonton condo on Airbnb (topical, given Banff and Canmore stances on the home rental operation), double dipping for meal compensation and other financial errors, would suggest he should step away from politics entirely.
Among some of Fildebrandt’s critical press release gems as shadow minister are:
“It’s now time for the government to take a serious position on immediate freezes for every single employee, union and non-union. Alberta is facing one of its worse financial situations in decades and the government can no longer sit on the fence on the need to control wages and save taxpayers money” (March 24, 2016).
“Mr. Ceci seems to think he can stick his head in the sand and ignore the impacts of his risky economic ideas, but he can’t,” Fildebrandt said. “Albertans deserve courage from their political leaders at times like this” (Feb. 25, 2016).
“Today’s Auditor General’s report once again demonstrates how important oversight is for Alberta’s agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs), including the AFSC.
“Left untouched, very serious abuse of taxpayer dollars like the sports and concert tickets, limo rides and alcohol purchased by the AFSC board of directors can occur” (Nov. 7, 2016).
The Fildebrandt situation is reminiscent of several popular sayings, ranging from “Do unto others …” to “People who live in glass houses …” to “The pot calling the kettle ...” and one wonders if for some time he hasn’t been biding his time, awaiting his turn at the trough.
We’re not saying our municipal politicians find themselves in situations like Fildebrandt’s, but we feel it does demonstrate that those interested in running for political office need to have a strong understanding of the moral underpinnings of politics.
On the local front, there have been many who have directed harangues and accusations against our municipal councils, all the while disagreeing with almost all decisions made by our elected representatives.
It’s interesting to note, though, at least thus far, that very few citizens have thrown their hats into the election ring in an effort to sit on council and make things right.
There is still time, of course, as Sept. 18 is the final day to file paperwork to run for municipal office. It will be interesting to see if an election battle surfaces, or if those who have accepted the role of municipal politician will again be at the controls in our towns.
