The combined actions of Saanich’s current city manager and ex-mayor have added fuel to the ongoing controversy around Saanich council and the dangers of social media this week.
On New Year’s Day Leonard retweeted a Saanich News’ story based on Mayor Richard Atwell’s intentions to run in the upcoming 2018 election and his speculation there could be three new members on council.
In his retweet, Leonard added the commentary “Rather Trump-like in Saanich.”
Tweeting stories about local government isn’t new for Leonard, though he rarely adds political comments. What caught the attention of Atwell and others in Saanich was that Saanich CAO Paul Thorkelsson retweeted Leonard’s tweet, comment and all, a few hours later.
Rather trump-like in Saanich - #bclocalnews https://t.co/C03huSJlfW
— Frank Leonard (@frank_leonard) January 2, 2018
And it’s the retweet that has been noticed in the already delicate Saanich political theatre. UVic political scientist Michael Prince called it unprofessional.
“This retweet by the CAO of a tweet by the former mayor which is critical of the present mayor is ill-advised and inappropriate,” said Prince.