Scott, Sask - Prairie Town

For the past three years, I have been researching the Town of Scott and its rural community, with the intent of producing a Scott History Book, in conjunction with the town’s Centennial Celebration, which is to take place in July of 2010. The Town Council has openly refused to acknowledge and accept the publication of this book and in my opinion are doing whatever they can to hinder its completion. For the record, I had discussed with a couple of our town residents, who I believe are members of the Scott Centennial Celebration Committee, whether it would be advisable to include the Town of Scott’s contact information on my documentation. They assumed, as I did, that the town would appreciate the "free advertising". How can this act, which was done in good faith, create such harsh repercussions? Only the following information was included: "If you’re interested in volunteering or need further information about the Centennial 2010 Celebration, please contact the Town of Scott"; the town’s contact information was listed after that, all of which is considered public knowledge.

Nowhere in print or verbally have I ever insinuated that I was compiling this book, on your behalf, or that you are in any way affiliated with this creative endeavour. I can assure you, the acknowledgement, written within the book itself, will state that this book was compiled "without the cooperation and participation" of the Council of the Town of Scott. It will also be noted that any inaccuracies or omissions are solely my shortcomings and the Council of the Town of Scott are not to be held responsible for the same.

I fail to understand this pertinacious attitude that has consumed our small town. With respect to "cooperating", by joining your S.C.C. Committee, I do not see this as a viable solution. The proceeds from this book, were to be beneficial to the Town of Scott. A cemetery project, which involved the restoration or replacement of old grave markers, was being considered. My research included those who were interred at the Scott Cemetery, many of which are children, who to this day, remain nameless. Identifying these unmarked graves is a compassionate aspect of my research and I fully intend to continue with this line of research.

Further to this, on April 16 of 2009, I received a letter from Stacy Hawkins, RMA, Administrator, dated April 6.  This letter was not posted in the official Town of Scott #10 business envelope, but in a 5 X 4 envelope, return address - Box 4, Wilkie, Sk; postmarked Wilkie.  It did seem rather strange to me that Ms. Hawkins couldn't post an offical town letter in its appropriate official town business envelope.   Perhaps someone just has a strange sense of humour and set about seeing how small they could actually fold a official business letter before cramming it into this inappropriately small posting envelope.

Ms. Hawkins, regarding your letter, I believe your request is nothing more than another form of intimidation. Perhaps, if you had taken a positive attitude and carefully considered the advantages of "free advertising", the town would have benefitted, if by nothing else, by financial gain. Duplicating and distributing the same ads and announcements, is not only senseless but a needless expenditure; especially considering that I am now positioning my ads in major newspapers across Canada. I have compiled an extensive mailing list and all the families on this list, will be contacted by post; the Centennial Celebration details will be forwarded to them at this time. I don’t quite understand how you can justify not only your actions but this unnecessary expense on behalf of the town.

I am appalled that the people who are representing our community, our governing body, have to resort to malicious gossip, abusive attacks on one’s character, intimidation and these various forms of harassment. I do however, have to give someone credit for their persistent in the continuance of these attacks and criticism.

I am making a public request to our Town Council to stop this vindictive behaviour not only toward myself but toward all the other citizens of Scott, who have fallen under your contempt. In reply to Ms. Hawkins’s letter, someone should inform our Town Council that there is no trademark or ownership of the Town name. It is a public domain.

I have also contacted a lawyer and was informed that: Section 2(b) of the Charter guarantees freedom of expression; expression about public affairs in general, and government in particular. "Government" includes democratically elected local governments. Rights protected by Section 2(b) of the Charter, namely: (a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and (d) freedom of association. Democracy depends upon the free and open debate of public issues and the freedom to criticize the rich, the powerful and those who exercise power and authority in our society. Infringements of the Section 2(b) guarantee may be justified pursuant to Section 1 of the Charter. The common law tort of defamation may be justified on the basis that private persons are entitles to protect their personal reputations.   

In reference to The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, being Chapter S-24.1 of the Statutes of  Saskatchewan:

PART I:  Bill of Rights - Section(4) details these same individual's rights.  Section(5) states that every person and every class of persons shall, under the law, enjoy the right to freedom of expression through all means of communication, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the arts, speech, the press or radio, television or any other broadcasting device.

PART II:  Prohibition of Certain Discriminatory Practices - Section(9) states every person and every class of persons shall enjoy the right to engage in and carry on any occupation, business or enterprise under the law without discrimation on the basis of a prohibited ground. 

Chapter Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Section 6(2) states the every citizen of Canada and every person who has the status of a permanent resident of Canada has the right (a) to move to and take up residence in any province; and (b) to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province. Discrimination and segregation certainly are not becoming traits, even more so, in such a small community as ours. You, as Council members, are there to represent us in our community. I suggest you do just that and stop interfering in our private lives.

My question to you is, what do you hope to gain by splitting this town in two and forcing people to choose sides? God created all man equal and the law endorses that theory. None of you are in a position to suggest otherwise. I agree with Mr. Dorward’s article "Private Matters" that appeared in the Wilkie Press on Monday, April 6, 2009: This is one vicious small town. If people minded their own business, the Town of Scott would be much better off.

In closing, I will repeat, for the benefit of the members of the Town Council who missed it the first time, I am making a public request for you to stop this vindictive behaviour not only toward myself but toward all the other citizens of Scott, who have fallen under your contempt. This issue you have with me, needs to be resolved immediately. If it’s not, you will be forcing me to take legal action against you, the members of our Town Council. As you are well aware, I have only touched lightly on the "harassment" ordeal that I had to endure over the years.

Scott, Saskatchewan