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

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.   

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