Councillor Glenn Koester calls for complaint investigation to be made public

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

During the March 22 regular council meeting, Wheatland County Council raised an issue regarding a complaint previously made against Councillor Glenn Koester during a private, in-camera session.

During the council meeting, it was noted that Koester’s name within the complaint was made public knowledge, however, the allegations and details regarding the County’s investigation remain sealed.

Koester protested this, suggesting the confidentiality of the allegation’s details are damaging to his position. 

“(It) is hurtful to me and damaging to me. I am going through it, I am getting questioned and I can’t answer,” said Koester.

County Council voted on March 1 for administration to employ an independent third-party team to review the complaint against Koester. As of the March 22 council meeting, there remained no vote regarding the investigation.

Koester said during the meeting he felt it unfair both to himself and to ratepayers that the details are not public knowledge. 

In-camera sessions of council may not be discussed in public as per Wheatland County’s procedural bylaw 2018-19. 

“I am named now and I can’t talk to my ratepayers,” said Koester. “It’s the first time in 20 years I haven’t been able to describe something to them being constrained as it’s in-camera. It feels to me like I’m dodging the questions.”

Currently, Koester does not legally have the ability to publicly respond to the allegations against him. During the recent council meeting, he advocated his wishes that the complaint and investigation be made public so that he may openly communicate with his constituents. 

“I’m being named, I find it unfair … I think it’s a flaw with the bylaw if you are going to keep it confidential,” said Koester. “I want the complaint out … I want the same treatment, just what I did wrong and if I was judged by the investigator.”

Koester’s motion has been differed until the conclusion of the investigation into the complaint against him.