To the editor,
Re: New petition seeks mayor’s resignation, Aug. 15.
I speak for a large group of citizens who have had enough of Tracy Samra’s behaviour and what she is costing the taxpayers.
First of all, for those of us who saw the video of Wendy Pratt knocking the phone out of Samra’s hand, it is evident that there was nothing close to assalt there. What about the provocation from Samra trying to take Pratt’s picture? Is that not bullying? Now, we all know Pratt acted in defence and not because Samra is an aboriginal woman. What happens to Samra is simply because she provokes it. It has nothing to do with her ethnic background.
To condemn the mayor for speaking honestly and saying it wasn’t assault or because of Samra’s status just encourages her in this poor behaviour. Doug White should know better than to get involved. There are always two sides to every story.
Samra is getting paid big bucks and is also costing the city thousands of dollars because of her issues. If you look back, this all started when she was given the job. I challenge anyone to calculate what she has cost us.
We have lost many great staff at city hall – all left since Samra took over. Another coincidence?
Judy Traitko, Nanaimo
To the editor,
Re: New petition seeks mayor’s resignation, Aug. 15.
I am rather sick of this ongoing saga of Nanaimo council and Tracy Samra. Since taking the job as Nanaimo’s CAO there has been nothing but controversy and hard feelings within the ranks of city hall.
The issue now that made the news airwaves all over the country was over a video from Samra’s cellphone. She was in that meeting – videoing council member Wendy Pratt while she spoke, a dreadfully disrespectful and intimidating tactic – so very rude, so very unprofessional. In that moment I can totally understand why Pratt reacted the way she did – even the most passive would have reacted the same.
Samra talked about the stress of working in a hostile environment – sadly I feel it is an environment that she has created. Perhaps it is time to clean house – start with the elected officials and then on to all senior administrative positions. Let us start fresh. I may not always agree with our elected officials but until now I have always respected the time and work they do for our city. Now I am mostly embarrassed and I feel the blame lies mostly on the council members who first tried to stage a coup against Mayor McKay. For shame.
Just to be clear – there is no racial or ethnic motive to this letter. I feel we should be able to disagree without putting it down to bigotry.
K. Seaker, Nanaimo