Municipal Affairs - Who Runs it?

On November 5, 2007 Minister Dave Denine wrote me in response to earlier correspondence and

stated: "If you have further questions regarding the (Ken Kelly) report please contact Eastern Regional

Manager Dan Noseworthy at 729-7390. On November 21, 2007, I wrote Mr. Noseworthy and outlined ten

(10) questions re the Ken Kelly Report. On December 19, Mr. Noseworthy replied but did not answer the

questions. I again wrote Mr. Noseworthy and later wrote the Premier and Minister Denine with copies to Mr.

Noseworthy, to all Cabinet Ministers and eventually to all PC Caucus members. Of all that group the only

ones who acknowledged my correspondence were Elizabeth Marshall, MHA, Topsail, Ed Buckingham, MHA,

St. John's East, and Steve Kent, MHA, Mount Pearl North. There has been more response among

backbenchers than from cabinet ministers. It makes me wonder if Steve Kent, a former Mount Pearl Mayor,

had been appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs, if information would have been more forthcoming?

The credibility of any government can be measured by the respect it shows for people. As an MHA,

Dave Denine represents the people of Mount Pearl South; as a cabinet minister, Mr. Denine represents the

people of the province. When he writes a resident to direct questions to a civil servant, then he should

ensure that the questions are answered. Since they were not answered, then it brings into question who is

running the Department of Municipal Affairs? I raised 10 questions about the Ken Kelly report which had

been commissioned by former Minister, Jack Byrne, to investigate matters in the town of Portugal Cove-St.

Philip's. The people of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's were charged $12,000.00 for this report. There has been

negative feedback regarding this report, and one councilor has done a critical analysis of the portion of the

report on Working Relations. One of my questions to Mr. Noseworthy was who influenced the writing of the

report? It is important that my questions be answered.

But where do I go to get them answered? Mr. Denine, the Minister passes me off to a civil servant

and he does not answer. That makes me think he has more power than the Minister! My letters to the

Premier, Cabinet Ministers do not make any difference. This not only raises the question of who is running

the Department of Municipal Affairs, but how arrogant the Government is, in terms of not responding to

residents.

............................................................