Civil Rights Cases & Complaints against City of Saskatoon: October 2012

I, Ashu M. G. Solo, filed the following:

1. Civil rights case against the City of Saskatoon (Mayor's Office) and Councillor Randy Donauer for prayer recitations at government organized events

2. Code of Conduct complaint against Mayor Don Atchison for potential online campaign advertising violations

3. Civil rights case against the City of Saskatoon (Saskatoon Transit Services) for promoting holidays from only one religion on city buses

4. Human rights complaint against the City of Saskatoon (Executive Committee) for retaliating against me by not reappointing me to the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee and not appointing me to another civic committee or board

5. Human rights complaint against the City of Saskatoon (City Solicitor’s Office) for retaliating against me by trying to deprive me of my right to directly communicate with members of City Council and by telling employees of other City of Saskatoon departments to not talk to me

6. Human rights complaint against the City of Saskatoon (Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Office) and City of Saskatoon (Living in Harmony Ad Hoc Subcommittee of Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee) for retaliating against me by not considering my submissions to the Living in Harmony Contest

This site contains my media releases, some case documents, emails to City Council, etc.

I don't waste my time arguing with opponents.

The backlash makes me much more determined to fight against bigotry and shows the need for these civil rights cases, so I'll be filing more civil rights cases. You ain't seen nothing yet.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Extreme Bigotry of Don Atchison (Saskatoon Mayor) and Media Coverage of Campaign Advertising Complaint against Atchison

From: Ashu M. G. Solo [mailto:amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us]
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 9:38 AM
To: 'mayors.office@saskatoon.ca'; randy.donauer@saskatoon.ca
Cc: 'glen.penner@saskatoon.ca'; 'pat.lorje@saskatoon.ca'; 'ann.iwanchuk@saskatoon.ca'; 'charlie.clark@saskatoon.ca'; 'mairin.loewen@saskatoon.ca'; 'tiffany.paulsen@saskatoon.ca'; 'bev.dubois@saskatoon.ca'; 'darren.hill@saskatoon.ca'
Subject: Extreme Bigotry of Don Atchison (Saskatoon Mayor) and Media Coverage of Campaign Advertising Complaint against Atchison

Don Atchison,

It's obvious that you don't care about the Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct, Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, or Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as I show in my complaints against you.

Ignorance of the rules and ignorance of the law are no excuse. I don't believe that you have the moral authority, honor, or integrity to act as mayor or to be on the Board of Police Commissioners. If you can't follow the Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct, Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, or Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, then how can you act as mayor or be on the Board of Police Commissioners?

Although I don’t agree with the rule prohibiting use of your title in campaign advertising, the rules must be followed. City Council should scrap this rule in the future.

I believe that the Executive Committee of City Council should remove you from the Board of Police Commissioners if you are reelected as punishment for using your title in your campaign advertising. I also believe that you should be docked half of your pay if you are reelected because you unethically gained an advantage over the other candidates by using your title in your campaign advertising.

At the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast in 2004, you said, "If you don’t believe in God or if you don’t believe in a Supreme Being, I honestly don’t know how you can go anywhere in life." I found this extremely discriminatory, extremely bigoted, and extremely disgraceful quote by you in a 2004 StarPhoenix article entitled “Breakfast evangelism narrow-minded.”

What kind of bigot would say that atheists and agnostics can't go anywhere in life? How is this not extreme religious bigotry, Don Atchison? How are you not an extreme religious bigot for saying this, Don Atchison?

Are you saying that I can't go anywhere in life without having believed in a God? I'm a lot more accomplished than you are.

What have you accomplished that's so great? Your governance of Saskatoon has been abysmal and you stopped much better candidates, such as Mayor Jim Maddin, from being mayor. I understand that you have no post-secondary education. If you did have some post-secondary education, wouldn't you list it in your mayoral biography when you put your childhood piano lessons in there? Your biggest accomplishments prior to becoming a city councillor according to your official biography were being a hockey goalie and selling suits. How did that qualify you to be a city councillor?

It’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard for you to say in your campaign advertising that you stand for a progressive Saskatoon.

You support Christian prayer recitations at official civic events. This is not you supporting a progressive Saskatoon. This is you supporting an extremely bigoted Saskatoon.

When asked if you're going to stop having Christian prayer recitations at official civic events, you start talking about how the city was founded by a Christian priest and implied that Saskatoon is a Christian city. This is not you supporting a progressive Saskatoon. This is you supporting an extremely bigoted Saskatoon.

You annually abuse your office to endorse and promote a Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. This is not you supporting a progressive Saskatoon. This is you supporting an extremely bigoted Saskatoon.

You suggest that atheists and agnostics can't go anywhere in life. This is not you supporting a progressive Saskatoon. This is you supporting an extremely bigoted Saskatoon.

You opposed the contract termination of a police chief (Dave Scott) who was doing nothing about the police dumping aboriginals outside of the city and leaving them to freeze to death. You and your racist cronies lead a protest against the contract termination of Dave Scott because you couldn’t care less about aboriginals. This was your most shameful action of all. Aboriginals are human too. This is not you supporting a progressive Saskatoon. This is you supporting an extremely bigoted Saskatoon.

According to the 2006 StarPhoenix article entitled "Mayors' race turns ugly," your opponent Ron Kocsis said that you told the mayoral forum that Chief Russell Sabo’s contract was not renewed because he was too aboriginal friendly for Saskatoon. How can a police chief be too aboriginal friendly after the police were dumping aboriginals outside the city and leaving them to freeze to death? According to the same article, Tom Wolf said your comments at that mayoral forum were taken to mean that Chief Russell Sabo was let go because he had a strong focus on the aboriginal community. This is not you supporting a progressive Saskatoon. This is you supporting an extremely bigoted Saskatoon.

According to the same article, Kocsis said you looked him up and down and said, “A guy like you wants to be mayor?” Did you say this because he’s aboriginal? Then according to Kocsis, you snorted derisively. This is not you supporting a progressive Saskatoon. This is you supporting an extremely bigoted Saskatoon.

Look up what the term "progressive" means in politics. I'm a progressive. You aren't a progressive and you don't believe in a progressive Saskatoon. You've proven that you’re an extreme bigot, Don Atchison, and you support an extremely bigoted Saskatoon. If you think you support a progressive Saskatoon, I would hate to see what you consider a regressive Saskatoon. You truly are a disgrace to Saskatoon like Randy Donauer, Kelly Block, and Jim Pankiw, who have also shown their racial or religious bigotry on multiple occasions.

The City Council Code of Conduct should prohibit council members from abusing their offices to impose their religious beliefs on others who don’t share them. You and Donauer do this by abusing their offices to have Christian prayer recitations at taxpayer funded civic events and by endorsing or promoting the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.

Following is the recent media coverage on my campaign advertising complaint against you. I previously sent you a partial list of the media coverage on my prayer recitation civil rights complaint against you, Donauer, and City of Saskatoon.

Radio News Interviews of Ashu M. G. Solo about Campaign Advertising Complaint against Don Atchison

Ashu M. G. Solo interviewed by François Biber for news on News Talk 650 CKOM, Oct. 3, 2012

Ashu M. G. Solo interviewed by Guillaume Dumont for news on CBC Radio, Oct. 3, 2012

Ashu M. G. Solo interviewed by Jared Linnen for news on CJWW Radio, Oct. 3, 2012

News Articles about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Campaign Advertising Complaint against Don Atchison

Charles Hamilton and David Hutton, "Complaint filed over Atchison's use of 'mayor,'" The StarPhoenix, Oct. 3, 2012,

URL: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Complaint+filed+over+Atchison+mayor/7335391/story.html

David Hutton, "Ashu Solo behind code of conduct complaint," The StarPhoenix, Oct. 3, 2012,

URL: http://blogs.thestarphoenix.com/2012/10/03/ashu-solo-behind-code-of-conduct-complaint/

François Biber, "Voter complaints not being heard until after Oct. 24 election: Post-election sanctions keep candidates honest," News Talk 650 CKOM and News Talk 980 CJME, Oct. 3, 2012,

URL: http://www.newstalk650.com/story/voter-complaints-not-being-heard-until-after-oct-24-election/78043

URL: http://www.ckom.com/story/voter-complaints-not-being-heard-until-after-oct-24-election/78043

URL: http://www.newstalk980.com/story/voter-complaints-not-being-heard-until-after-oct-24-election/78043

URL: http://www.cjme.com/story/voter-complaints-not-being-heard-until-after-oct-24-election/78043

URL: http://www.greenzonefootball.com/story/voter-complaints-not-being-heard-until-after-oct-24-election/78043

Jared Linnen, "A Formal Complaint Lodged Against Atchison Campaign Methods," Saskatoonhomepage.ca, Oct. 4, 2012,

URL: http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/election-2012/a-formal-complaint-lodged-against-atchison-campaign-methods/itemid_150

Reprints of News Articles about Ashu M. G. Solo’s Campaign Advertising Complaint against Don Atchison

I list the same articles in different newspapers to show the extent of coverage on my Code of Conduct complaint against Atchison.

Charles Hamilton and David Hutton, "Complaint filed over Atchison's use of 'mayor,'" Canada.com, Oct. 3, 2012,

URL: http://www2.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=b3f9330e-8adb-4bca-a780-f801cd8b70ad

Charles Hamilton and David Hutton, "Complaint filed over Atchison's use of 'mayor,'" Leader-Post, Oct. 3, 2012,

URL: http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Complaint+filed+over+Atchisons+mayor/7334886/story.html

Charles Hamilton and David Hutton, "Complaint filed over Atchison's use of 'mayor,'" Calgary Herald, Oct. 3, 2012,

URL: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Complaint+filed+over+Atchison+mayor/7335391/story.html

Radio Segments Partially about or with Mentions of Ashu M. G. Solo’s Campaign Advertising Complaint against Don Atchison

“Bugsday! The Hour of Rage!” on John Gormley Live with host John Gormley, News Talk 650 CKOM, Oct. 4, 2012,

URL: http://ckom.com/sites/default/files/JGL%20BD_0.mp3

"Ultimate Open Lines” on John Gormley Live with host John Gormley, News Talk 650 CKOM, Oct. 5, 2012,

URL: http://www.newstalk650.com/sites/default/files/JGL%20UOL1_1.mp3

"Ultimate Open Lines part 2” on John Gormley Live with host John Gormley, News Talk 650 CKOM, Oct. 19, 2012,

URL: http://www.newstalk650.com/sites/default/files/JGL%20UOL2_2.mp3

Atchison and Donauer, you should also be extremely ashamed of yourself for not taking advantage of your media interviews and media interview requests to denounce your numerous supporters who have made extremely racist and bigoted comments toward me and who have made threatening comments toward me. This message is blind copied to various media outlets, as are all of my emails to you.

Sincerely,

Ashu M. G. Solo

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

MEDIA ALERT: Ashu M. G. Solo Expanded Formal Complaint against Mayor Don Atchison for Potential Violations of Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct

From: Ashu M. G. Solo [mailto:amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us]

Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 9:02 AM
To: amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us
Cc: 'mayors.office@saskatoon.ca'; randy.donauer@saskatoon.ca; 'glen.penner@saskatoon.ca'; 'pat.lorje@saskatoon.ca'; 'ann.iwanchuk@saskatoon.ca'; 'charlie.clark@saskatoon.ca'; 'mairin.loewen@saskatoon.ca'; 'tiffany.paulsen@saskatoon.ca'; 'bev.dubois@saskatoon.ca'; darren.hill@saskatoon.ca
Subject: MEDIA ALERT: Ashu M. G. Solo Expanded Formal Complaint against Mayor Don Atchison for Potential Violations of Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct

Dear Media:

Today I expanded my formal campaign advertising complaint against Mayor Don Atchison for potential violations of the Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct. This complaint previously dealt with potential violations of the City Council Code of Conduct in campaign advertising on Atchison's Facebook account. Now it also includes potential violations of the City Council Code of Conduct in campaign advertising on Atchison's campaign Web site and Twitter account. I'm also asking for an investigation on whether there were violations of the City Council Code of Conduct in Atchison’s campaign videos and a Mayor's Cultural Gala insert. My complaint will be put before the Executive Committee of Saskatoon City Council at its November 5, 2012 meeting.

I previously filed a complaint against Atchison, Councillor Randy Donauer, and the City of Saskatoon with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC) after Atchison called on Donauer to try to lead a diverse audience in a Christian prayer at a Volunteer Appreciation Banquet organized by the Mayor’s Office and after they refused to stop this practice and apologize. SHRC is still determining which aspects of my complaint it will proceed with, which respondents it will proceed against, and which aspects of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code may have been violated.

Atchison is an inept leader who doesn’t care about the Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct, Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, or Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. All he cares about is getting elected.

I’m making these complaints because in a democracy, the government doesn’t just hold citizens accountable, but citizens hold government accountable. Not only is the business of government the business of people, but the business of people is the business of government.

You can see the email messages below between me and the Saskatoon city clerk for my latest complaint and other details.

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

From: Ashu M. G. Solo [mailto:amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us]
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 8:35 AM
To: 'Mann, Janice (Clerks)'
Subject: RE: Expansion of Formal Complaint against Candidate Don Atchison

Dear Janice Mann,

It’s absolutely fine if the Executive Committee, candidate Don Atchison, the media, and the public know that I made the complaint. The Executive Committee can also feel free to contact me if they need any further information from me or anything. Thanks.

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

From: Mann, Janice (Clerks)
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 8:18 AM
To: 'amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us'
Subject: RE: Expansion of Formal Complaint against Candidate Don Atchison

Dear Mr. Solo

Thank you for your email. Your expanded complaint will be placed before the Executive Committee at its November 5^th meeting.

I also want to advise you that for complaints regarding the Code of Conduct the identity of the complainant(s) will be made known to the Executive Committee and to the candidate against whom the complaint is made. I assume that since you have copied all of Council already you will still wish to proceed with your complaint; however if that is not the case please let me know.

Yours sincerely,

Janice Mann

City Clerk

From: Ashu M. G. Solo [mailto:amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us]
Sent: October 17, 2012 7:54 AM
To: Mann, Janice (Clerks)
Cc: Web E-mail - Mayor's Office; Donauer, Randy (City Councillor); Penner, Glen (City Councillor); Lorje, Pat (City Councillor); Iwanchuk, Ann (City Councillor); Clark, Charlie (City Councillor); Loewen, Mairin (City Councillor); Paulsen, Tiffany (City Councillor); Dubois, Bev (City Councillor); Hill, Darren (City Councillor)
Subject: Expansion of Formal Complaint against Candidate Don Atchison

Dear Janice Mann:

I would like to expand the scope of my formal complaint against candidate Don Atchison to also include potential violations of the Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct on his campaign Web site and campaign Twitter account.

Candidate Tom Wolf brought these potential Code of Conduct violations to light. Candidate Atchison should have made sure that there were no other potential violations of the City Council Code of Conduct after candidate Wolf brought these potential Code of Conduct violations to light. However, candidate Atchison didn’t do this because I found potential violations of the Code of Conduct on his Facebook account.

I would now like my formal complaint to cover all of the following campaign advertising actions that potentially violated the City Council Code of Conduct:

1. References to candidate Atchison as “Mayor Atchison,” “Mayor Atch,” and “Mayor of Saskatoon” on his campaign Facebook account.

2. Reference to candidate Atchison as “Mayor of Saskatoon” on his campaign Twitter account.

3. References to candidate Atchison as “Mayor Don Atchison,” “Mayor Atchison,” and “Mayor of Saskatoon” on his campaign Web site.

I don’t have screen captures of candidate Atchison’s campaign Web site or campaign Twitter account. However, the potential violations on his campaign Web site or campaign Twitter account were reported in the StarPhoenix article entitled “Wolf questions Atchison’s Use of Mayor’s Office” by David Hutton at http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Wolf+questions+Atchison+mayor+office/7312029/story.html.

After my complaint, candidate Atchison removed a bunch of videos from his campaign Web site. This was reported in the StarPhoenix article entitled “Complaint filed over Atchison’s use of ‘mayor’” by Charles Hamilton and David Hutton at http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Complaint+filed+over+Atchison+mayor/7335391/story.html. The videos are now back on candidate Atchison’s campaign Web site. I think the only likely reason that these videos would be temporarily removed after my complaint is if they contained references to candidate Atchison as “Mayor Atchison.” I believe the Executive Committee of City Council should appoint an independent investigator to determine if this was the case. If these videos violated the City Council Code of Conduct, I would like to add this to my formal complaint.

Furthermore, it has been brought to my attention by a citizen of Saskatoon that there was a Mayor’s Cultural Gala insert in an issue of the StarPhoenix in the first week of October 2012 ,and that this insert contained numerous references to candidate Atchison as “Mayor Atchison.” I don’t have a copy of this insert, I haven’t seen it, and I don’t know if it constitutes campaign advertising. I think if there is an independent investigator, she should also look into this. If this Mayor’s Cultural Gala insert violated the City Council Code of Conduct, I would like to add this to my formal complaint.

I don’t agree with banning references to council members as “Mayor X” or “Councillor Y” in campaign advertising. I don’t think this is important to ban and I think this should be changed by City Council. However, because this is prohibited by the City Council Code of Conduct approved by City Council, the rules must be followed by all council members. Because of potential violations of the City Council Code of Conduct, I believe that candidate Atchison has unethically gained an advantage over the other candidates for the extremely important office of mayor.

I’m copying this email message to City Council and blind copying it to various media outlets, so they can be aware of the expansion of this important formal complaint against candidate Atchison.

I’m making this complaint because in a democracy, the government doesn’t just hold citizens accountable, but citizens hold government accountable. Not only is the business of government the business of people, but the business of people is the business of government.

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

From: Mann, Janice (Clerks)
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 11:59 AM
To: 'amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us'
Subject: RE: Potential Violations of the City Council Code of Conduct by Don Atchison

Dear Mr. Solo

Thank you for getting back to me. Your complaint will be placed before the Executive Committee at its next meeting (November 5, 2012) and you will hear further in due course.

Yours sincerely,

Janice Mann

City Clerk

From: Ashu M. G. Solo [mailto:amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us]
Sent: October 02, 2012 11:43 AM
To: Mann, Janice (Clerks)
Subject: RE: Potential Violations of the City Council Code of Conduct by Don Atchison

Hi Janice,

Yes, I would like to file a formal complaint against candidate Don Atchison for violations of the Code of Conduct because I believe he has violated the Code of Conduct repeatedly with his campaign advertising and because I believe this has given him an unethical advantage over the other candidates for the extremely important office of mayor.

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

From: Mann, Janice (Clerks)
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 10:42 AM
To: 'amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us'
Cc: Sproule, Joanne (Clerks)
Subject: Potential Violations of the City Council Code of Conduct by Don Atchison

Dear Mr. Solo

I have forwarded the details of your complaint to candidate Don Atchison. I have no authority, under provincial legislation or civic bylaw, to do anything other than pass the information to the candidate.

I assume from your email below that you wish to lodge a formal complaint pursuant to the provisions of the Code of Conduct; however would you please confirm that this is the case. I can be reached at 975-3240.

Yours sincerely,

Janice Mann

City Clerk

From: Ashu M. G. Solo [mailto:amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us]
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 2:39 AM
To: ‘City Clerk’s Office’
Subject: Potential Violations of the City Council Code of Conduct by Don Atchison

Dear City Clerk’s Office:

I read the StarPhoenix article “Wolf questions Atchison’s Use of Mayor’s Office” by David Hutton at http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Wolf+questions+Atchison+mayor+office/7312029/story.html. I understand that Tom Wolf’s campaign team says repeated use of the title “mayor” by Don Atchison in online campaign advertising violates the City Council Code of Conduct (http://www.saskatoon.ca/CITY%20COUNCIL/Pages/CodeofConduct.aspx#elections). I further understand that after the City Clerk’s Office contacted Atchison’s campaign headquarters about references to him as “Mayor Don Atchison” and “Mayor Atchison” on his campaign Web site and a reference to him as “Mayor of Saskatoon” on his Twitter account, they removed these references.

I just took a look at Atchison’s official campaign account on the social network Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/DonAtchisonSaskatoon/info). On the “About” page of this Facebook account, there are five references to Atchison as “Mayor Atchison” and a reference to him as “Mayor Atch” in his biography and awards. There are also five references to Atchison as “Mayor of Saskatoon” on the “About” page of his Facebook account. The text for his biography and awards on this Facebook page follows below. I am also attaching a screen capture of this Facebook page.

From Don Atchison’s Facebook page:

Biography

Don Atchison was first elected to Saskatoon city council in 1994 and served as councillor up to his election as mayor in 2003. He was re-elected mayor in 2006 and again in 2009. Throughout his years in public office, he has never wavered from his commitment to the inclusion of all Saskatoon citizens and neighbourhoods. He strives to see all sides of the issues and to work in partnership to create

the greatest benefit for all citizens of Saskatoon.

Mayor Atchison inspires confidence in our collective ability to achieve bold visions. After decades of indecision, River Landing is now evolving before our eyes, and the South Bridge – first discussed almost a century ago – will soon be spanning the South Saskatchewan.

But “thinking big” isn’t just about big structures; Mayor Atchison has been equally as adamant about finding innovative ways to fund affordable housing, rejuvenate neighbourhoods, reduce crime and involve people from all walks of life in the decisions about our future, such as through the “Saskatoon Speaks”. His vision and pursuit of excellence for Saskatoon is as wide as it is deep.

“Atch” learned the value of teamwork early in his life. Growing up in Saskatoon, he was involved in a variety of activities. He especially loved sports, where his talent as a hockey goaltender led to playing in the professional leagues. After hockey, he returned to Saskatoon and his family’s retail business. He and his wife Mardele have remained committed Saskatoon, where they have raised their five children.

In recognition of his work, Mayor Atchison has received a number of honours, including being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International; the Medal of Merit by the International Association of Lions Clubs; and the Saskatchewan Centennial Award.

What is his greatest honour? Ask Mayor Atch and he will quickly reply, “Serving the greatest city in Canada.”

Awards

In recognition of his work, Mayor Atchison has received a number of honours, including being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International; the Medal of Merit by the International Association of Lions Clubs; the Consumer Choice Man of the Year Award; and the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance President's Award for Public Sector Supporter.

I don’t agree with banning references to council members as “Mayor X” or “Councillor Y” in campaign advertising. However, because this is prohibited by the City Council Code of Conduct approved by City Council, the rules should be followed by all council members.

Atchison’s Facebook account was created on September 5, 2012 obviously for his reelection campaign. I assume he has been violating the City Council Code of Conduct since then.

I strongly believe that Don Atchison should be sanctioned in accordance with the City Council Code of Conduct.

I am blind copying this email to Tom Wolf, various media outlets, and Don Atchison, so they can also be aware of these potentially serious violations of the City Council Code of Conduct by Don Atchison.

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

MEDIA ADVISORY: Ashu M. G. Solo Filed Formal Complaint against Mayor Don Atchison over Potential Code of Conduct Violation

From: Ashu M. G. Solo [mailto:amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us]

Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2012 3:54 PM
To: amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us
Cc: 'mayors.office@saskatoon.ca'; randy.donauer@saskatoon.ca; 'glen.penner@saskatoon.ca'; 'pat.lorje@saskatoon.ca'; 'ann.iwanchuk@saskatoon.ca'; 'myles.heidt@saskatoon.ca'; 'charlie.clark@saskatoon.ca'; 'mairin.loewen@saskatoon.ca'; 'tiffany.paulsen@saskatoon.ca'; 'bev.dubois@saskatoon.ca'; darren.hill@saskatoon.ca
Subject: MEDIA ADVISORY: Ashu M. G. Solo Filed Formal Complaint against Mayor Don Atchison over Potential Code of Conduct Violation

MEDIA ADVISORY: Ashu M. G. Solo Filed Formal Complaint against Mayor Don Atchison over Potential Code of Conduct Violation

SASKATOON, SK, Oct. 3, 2012—The Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct bars candidates from referring to themselves as “Mayor X” or “Councillor Y” in campaign advertising. On October 2, 2012, Ashu M. G. Solo filed a formal complaint with the Saskatoon city clerk against Mayor Don Atchison for many references to himself as “Mayor Atchison” and “Mayor of Saskatoon” on his campaign Facebook account.

“I don’t think it’s important to ban references to council members as ‘Mayor X’ or ‘Councillor Y’ in campaign advertising,” Solo said. “However, because this is prohibited by the Code of Conduct approved by City Council, the rules must be followed by all council members including Atchison. ”

Solo’s complaint will be considered by the Executive Committee of City Council on November 5, 2012. They will decide what further action to take.

Solo previously filed a complaint against Atchison, Councillor Randy Donauer, and the City of Saskatoon with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission because of a Christian prayer recitation at a Volunteer Appreciation Banquet organized by the Mayor’s Office.

“Atchison is an inept leader who doesn’t care about the Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct, Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, or Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Solo said. “All he cares about is getting elected.”

For further information:

Ashu Solo

amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us

-30-

A screen capture of Atchison’s former Facebook page is attached to this email message.

Further details are available in this StarPhoenix article by David Hutton and Charles Hamilton: http://www.canada.com/news/Complaint+filed+over+Atchisons+mayor/7335391/story.html.

Solo’s complaint follows below:

From: Ashu M. G. Solo [mailto:amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us]
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 2:39 AM
To: 'City Clerk's Office'
Subject: Potential Violations of the City Council Code of Conduct by Don Atchison

Dear City Clerk’s Office:

From Don Atchison’s Facebook page:

Biography

Awards

Atchison’s Facebook account was created on September 5, 2012 obviously for his reelection campaign. I assume he has been violating the City Council Code of Conduct since then.

I strongly believe that Don Atchison should be sanctioned in accordance with the City Council Code of Conduct.

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

MEDIA ALERT: Ashu M. G. Solo Made Formal Complaint against Mayor Don Atchison for Violating the Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct with Online Campaign Advertising

From: Ashu M. G. Solo [mailto:amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us]

Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 8:29 PM
To: amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us
Cc: 'mayors.office@saskatoon.ca'; randy.donauer@saskatoon.ca; 'glen.penner@saskatoon.ca'; 'pat.lorje@saskatoon.ca'; 'ann.iwanchuk@saskatoon.ca'; 'myles.heidt@saskatoon.ca'; 'charlie.clark@saskatoon.ca'; 'mairin.loewen@saskatoon.ca'; 'tiffany.paulsen@saskatoon.ca'; 'bev.dubois@saskatoon.ca'; darren.hill@saskatoon.ca
Subject: MEDIA ALERT: Ashu M. G. Solo Made Formal Complaint against Mayor Don Atchison for Violating the Saskatoon City Council Code of Conduct with Online Campaign Advertising

Dear Media:

Last night, I made another complaint against Mayor Don Atchison. This complaint is because I believe Atchison has violated the City Council Code of Conduct with his campaign advertising on his Facebook account and unethically gained an advantage over the other candidates for the extremely important office of Saskatoon mayor. My complaint will be put before the Executive Committee of Saskatoon City Council on November 5, 2012. Please see the four email messages below between me and the Saskatoon city clerk for my complaint and other details. I am attaching a screen capture of Atchison’s Facebook “About” page that I complained about. If you have any questions, I can be reached at amgsolo@mavericktechnologies.us.

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

Dear Mr. Solo

Thank you for getting back to me. Your complaint will be placed before the Executive Committee at its next meeting (November 5, 2012) and you will hear further in due course.

Yours sincerely,

Janice Mann

City Clerk

Hi Janice,

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo

Dear Mr. Solo

I assume from your email below that you wish to lodge a formal complaint pursuant to the provisions of the Code of Conduct; however would you please confirm that this is the case.

Yours sincerely,

Janice Mann

City Clerk

Dear City Clerk’s Office:

From Don Atchison’s Facebook page:

Biography

Awards

Atchison’s Facebook account was created on September 5, 2012 obviously for his reelection campaign. I assume he has been violating the City Council Code of Conduct since then.

I strongly believe that Don Atchison should be sanctioned in accordance with the City Council Code of Conduct.

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Ashu M. G. Solo