Security measures wasteful and totalitarian

Editor’s note: This letter to the editor was addressed to Mayor Marianne Matichuk and council.

It is not very often I would not welcome someone to our city. Indeed, in the 55 plus years I’ve lived here, it has never happened.

Now, I ask you to convey to Brendan Adair how unwelcome he and his totalitarian ideas are.

Adair says, “We’re trying to create a barrier between citizens and staff.”

Wow. Did he ever think they are my staff, my friends and my neighbours. They aren’t his staff. They work for me, not him.

I don’t want to be separated from them. “There has never been an issue of security, so let’s make one” is what he is saying. It is called empire building. A man from the big city comes up here to tell us northern rubes how to act; how to be really sophisticated; how to see danger where it doesn’t exist.

Security will be posted at the door, greeting everyone who comes in.

Save your money — I don’t want to be greeted by a security guard, and if I want to go down and say hello to a member of council, I will. It has never been a problem. Don’t make it one.

I don’t need security approving what media is allowed in either. I’ll leave that up to editors and general managers. Perhaps mayor, you haven’t noticed, but while doing their job, reporters from the CBC, CTV, Northern Life, the Sudbury Star and regional papers have been unfailingly polite, while also being unfailingly professional.

Adair said the changes aren’t about security reacting to any particular issues. Rather, they are a “relationship piece” to ensure everyone’s safety.

Please tell Adair, it is called wasting money. Tell Adair not to challenge me, I don’t like bully tactics. Council should save some money right now and fire Adair.

That is my city hall, not his, and not exclusively yours or members of council. I only lend it to you for four years at a time.

I am very angry and concerned when someone decides arbitrarily to restrict my movement anywhere, but especially to limit access to those whom I elect.

I apologize for the strong language, but I have read exactly how the dictators of the world secured their institutions. It is not a joke.

Frank Madigan
Greater Sudbury