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I received an email from a resident who is upset that his neighbours snow clearing contractor is dumping snow onto his property.

Yesterday was a big day for the Charlottetown Police Service. With the release of the comprehensive review by Verheul & Associates, we now begin the task of implementing the recommendations contained in the report. There was certainly enough criticism to go around in the report, and much of it was not unexpected.

This review was unlike anything the CPS has undergone before. Many people have referenced a process that took place about sixteen years ago, but that was a limited, internal review and probably resulted in very little real change.

Yesterday, I answered the question of low morale by pointing out that morale in any organization is a function of employee engagement and professional fulfillment, among other things. The rank and file of the CPS was fully engaged in the development of this report and its recommendations. The reaction from the police union to the report has been positive so far, and I hope we’re already on our way to rebuilding morale.

My own approach is not to assign blame and point fingers, but move forward to solve the problems that were identified. The culture and practices of the CPS have evolved over many decades to address the needs of a city that no longer exists. The department was simply not organized in a way that effective leadership was possible in today’s policing environment.

My committee will be focused almost exclusively on implementing the report’s recommendations over the foreseeable future. The goal is to break the small town mould of the pre-amalgamation CPS, and develop a professional, accountable and motivated force for the larger, more complex community we have become.

The report is available on the City’s website, but it was announced at the press conference yesterday that it would only be posted there for thirty days. I don’t know who made that decision or why, because it makes no sense to me. It’s a public document now and I have posted it online where it will be available, well, forever.

I’m happy to see UPSE president Shelley Ward questioning the wisdom of moving two provincial government departments out of the capital city. Clearly the union membership is not pleased. I also spoke out against this move when it was announced. It’s bad for Charlottetown; it will disrupt the lives of many involved; and will only create a new commuter class of employees who travel to and fro across the island everyday while providing little economic impact for the target communities.

Received a call from a woman who was irate over a confrontation she had with other customers lined up in their vehicles at a local coffee shop.

My last act as chair of the city’s Youth Advisory Board was to create a new website. Charlottetown Teen Zone is intended to be a place for teens to connect with local youth groups and find information about youth related events around town. Many of the local youth groups are being offered posting privileges to the website to announce their news and get their events on the Event Calendar.

Last year I was able to secure a small budget to hire a Youth Development Coordinator. We did not actually fill the position until late last year but the website is now in Megan Gauthier’s hands and she is runnng with it, among other initiatives. There’s also a Facebook page but I can’t seem to find it right now. If you have an event you would like posted to the site, use the contact page on the website to get in touch.