Why go out of town to pick new chief?

I welcome the new chief Paul Pedersen, although I wish I were congratulating one of our own who has worked and lived in our community rather than just summered in Killarney.

Gerry Lougheed Jr. said Pedersen is an “enormously impressive person, progressive with vigour and passion.” He’s a focused individual (we know this because he does triathlons) and has stellar references.

I just think some police service members who grew up in Sudbury have the same qualities. Being a graduate of the Rotman School of Business doesn’t mean good police work.

He is quoted as saying while he worked down south, his heart was always in the North. For some reason or other I wonder why a person whose heart is always in the North never worked north of Davis Drive in Newmarket and kept his feet firmly planted in York region?

Yes, I have concerns. We had (former chief) Frank Elsner, who I was assured was chosen by a unanimous vote and was selected over local candidates for being progressive, and who would do great things for the force. Then he skipped out, leaving us a little bill. I am not sure how much it cost us yet.

I was told it was because his mother lived out there and was elderly. I pointed out his mother lived out there when he took the job and she was elderly then.

What does Pedersen’s contract say? What penalties have we put in the contract in case he doesn’t work out? Who is paying for his move up here?

Why was he picked over other candidates? We don’t need names. We need his qualifications next to others who applied.

I also wonder why the past chief didn’t train someone to replace him. It would seem to me good management to do so.

I do indeed wish Pedersen well and I hope he will visit us in Capreol soon. I also hope one of his first priorities is training a local replacement.

Frank Madigan
Greater Sudbury