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MARK-ALAN WHITTLE July 8, 2003 After reading a CBC story about how unionized employees of the Ministry of Environment took it upon themselves to rip out some flowers planted by seniors to enhance the entrance to their cottages, I'm left wondering on who's authority was this self-serving action taken? Further, was this the will of the Premier, Hon. Lorne Calvert, or that of the Minister, Hon. Buckley Belanger, or do unionized provincial staff call the shots? Perhaps they need to learn to have respect for the hard work of others, instead of ruining what the seniors had created, without any help from you, or the ministry's unionized staff. In the very least, you owe these people an apology and they should be reimbursed for the money they spent to buy the flowers that your unionized staff ripped out of the flowerbed. In the real world, this is called public mischief, for which criminal charges could be brought against the perpetrators. What, if anything do you and the minister of environment plan to do to correct this complete lapse of judgment and breach of authority perpetrated by your unionized employees? I can assure you this story has reached a very wide audience, who will expect an explanation from both of you. Your due diligence would be greatly appreciated and I have faith you will make it right. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saskatchewan Environment Responds: July 11, 2003 Dear Mr. Whittle: I am responding to the letter you sent to the Honourable Lorne Calvert and the - Honourable Buckley Belanger about a CBC story in regard to flowers being removed from a flower garden at Duck Mountain Provincial Park. I am pleased to advise that additional flowers have been donated anonymously, and volunteer cottage owners along with representatives of the Saskatchewan Government Employees Union and Saskatchewan Environment from Duck Mountain Provincial Park planted them on July 8, 2003. The employees at the park will be carrying out the necessary maintenance of the flowers over the summer months. Representatives of the Saskatchewan Government Employees Union, employees at the park and managers of my department will be meeting in the next few days to ensure that these kinds of misunderstandings do not occur in the future. Rick Shussel, Park Manger, has also been meeting with the cottage owners to ensure cooperative arrangements for maintaining the flower garden are continued into the future. Sincerely, Lily Stonehouse Deputy Minister cc: Premier Lorne Calvert Honourable Buckley Belanger Rick Shussel, Park Manager |