Editor:
In a recent social media post, Mayor Henderson stated: “There have been significant internal challenges with the District which I am obligated to keep confidential.” As members of council, we believe it is important to clarify and correct this characterization.
An independent governance audit — commissioned to evaluate the leadership and operations of the district — clearly identified Mayor Henderson’s conduct and leadership style as a central factor contributing to dysfunction within our local government. The audit’s primary recommendation was for Mayor Henderson to issue a formal apology for his role in fostering a toxic and unproductive environment.
To date, Mayor Henderson has refused to act on this recommendation.
We recognize that some matters may involve sensitive information.
However, vague public statements suggesting undisclosed or external problems risk misleading the public. In particular, Mayor Henderson’s comment may lead some to wrongly assume that district staff are the root of these challenges. This is not the case. The governance audit made clear that the issues are leadership-related, not operational or staff-driven or a reflection on council.
Council remains committed to implementing the audit’s recommendations and rebuilding trust — both within our organization and with our community — through openness, respect, and collaboration. The residents of our District deserve nothing less.
Donna Bell, Darren Inkster, Brenda Rowe, Adam Shepherd, Alton Toth
Sechelt
