Michael Rodriguez

Writer, communicator, recovering journalist.

Communications Specialist at Calgary Economic Development.

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

A lengthy thread outlining my 2+ years of reporting for the @calgaryherald on Chestermere/its fired mayor and councillors as residents head to the polls today.

While the vote won't mark the end of controversy in the city, it will set the tone for what comes next. #yyc #abpoli

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

It's been a wild 2+ years for Chestermere politics, headlined by investigations, lawsuits and the rare firing of elected officials. A byelection tonight will close a chapter of this saga. Here's a thread of some highlights from more than 60 @calgaryherald stories:
#yyc #abpoli

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

In the wake of the byelection results, the city bid farewell to its province-installed supervisor/council stand-in, Doug Lagore. Teary-eyed, he reminisced of his 21 months in Chestermere:

"What I witnessed in this building was appalling." https://t.co/iQBuCxh0Vm

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

The Deloitte report laid the framework for the city to sue Colvin, Foat, Hanley and Funk. Chestermere did just that last week, seeking the recovery of $650,000 from their ex-council members.
https://t.co/Xj64KjNYZU

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

For posterity's sake, adding the election day stories to this thread — Shannon Dean elected mayor while Colvin, Foat, Funk and Hanley fail to earn re-election.
https://t.co/Uhr3wMaKlr

[Jim Wells @JimWellsphoto]

#Chestermere elects Shannon Dean as mayor
https://t.co/QeQh6HW78e @MichaelRdrguez

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

Chestermere elects Shannon Dean as mayor, shuns fired regime https://t.co/Uhr3wMaKlr via @calgaryherald

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

BREAKING: Chestermere has elected Shannon Dean as its next mayor, alongside a slate of new councillors.

Unofficial results below, as posted on the city's website at 5 a.m. Tuesday. #yyc #abpoli

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

@CityChestermere Results will be posted here as soon as they're available: https://t.co/V92m3b7yVX

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

Still waiting on byelection results out of @CityChestermere tonight. Polls closed at 8 p.m., but the city's hand-counting votes, making for a longer night. Staff have given me estimates as early as midnight and as late as 2 a.m. for results. #abpoli #yyc

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

A lengthy thread outlining my 2+ years of reporting for the @calgaryherald on Chestermere/its fired mayor and councillors as residents head to the polls today.

While the vote won't mark the end of controversy in the city, it will set the tone for what comes next. #yyc #abpoli

[Duane Bratt🇨🇦 @DuaneBratt]

And yet Colvin is running again. He is convinced that he is a victim of a witch hunt, but the evidence against him is overwhelming. Now it is in the hands of the voters of Chestermere. Will they reward or punish systemic corruption?

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

The findings of the financial probe, led by Deloitte, were unveiled last month, finding more than $50,000 in spending on Colvin's city credit card, numerous expenditures of taxpayer dollars without council approval, much on legal fees against the firings.
https://t.co/c5VxkQL59a

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

Chestermere officials were given a draft copy of the inspection report in November 2022, and in December — one year before they'd be dismissed — began their defence. A rebuke was posted to the city website, calling the investigation flawed and biased.
https://t.co/H8zjdEsOQr

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

The city quashed the application for a judicial review that had been launched while Colvin was in office. However, the four men continue to pursue their own judicial review of the dismissal order, separate from the city.
https://t.co/XhaP02XyF1

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

Early this year, Colvin and Co. tried for another injunction - this time on the dismissals. They were again denied.
https://t.co/pL6StA4B0B

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

Meanwhile, concerns continued to be identified about the city's finances under Colvin's stewardship. https://t.co/JcJy84MNBi

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

But Colvin and Co. didn't go gently. The now ex-mayor doubled down on claims of conspiracy he'd hinted at in office, alleging MA, RCMP, opposing politicians and others conspired to cause his dismissal.
https://t.co/mbGviG3FZl

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

After the dismissals, the province installed an interim CAO and appointed the once-council supervisor, Doug Lagore, to act as the whole of council. One of the interim management's first moves was to ratify the long-delayed agreement with @CupeAB.
https://t.co/OTlwB9ZL5D

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

The dismissals came on Dec. 4, 2023, but not without a surprise. The minister spared councillors Sandy Johal-Watt, Shannon Dean and Ritesh Narayan, due to their good-faith efforts to hold the city accountable.

McIver also promised a financial review.
https://t.co/nhS1jNyRnn

[Michael Rodriguez @MichaelRdrguez]

Colvin, councillors Mel Foat, Stephen Hanley and Blaine Funk, and the city's three top officials sought a pre-emptive injunction on the planned dismissals, but was denied, paving the way for firings in December.
https://t.co/2ofnnqMi3V