CLE Board Drinking Up!?
THUNDER BAY – Editorial – In a press statement, the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE) is defending the organization’s bar policy.
The CLE states, “With regards to the liquor policy at the CLE, contrary to other media reports, the liquor policy has been changed.
“The lock has been changed on our liquor cabinet. This action was taken because a previous member of the CLE had lost their key.
“There was never a liquor issue, or any concerns about our liquor licence or the liquor policy at the CLE.
“Due to one member’s action and threats to other board members, this member was democratically voted off the CLE Board by the General Membership.
“In response to this action, the member proceeded to discredit the CLE by making an issue of our bar policy.”
Discrediting the CLE?
The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition appears stuck, in my opinion, in the mid-1950s. The issue of an open bar that board members can partake of drinks after a meeting is, in 2014 an issue. There are liability issues, as well as perception issues as well.
The reality of modern times are that an open bar, or free bar in any organization that receives any public funding is irresponsible in today’s world.
There are also issues not covered in the solid defense of the existing policy as to what message is the CLE board sending to the community?
If the directors of the CLE want to have a drink after a meeting, there are a number of local businesses in the area of the CLE that the board members can go to and pay for their own drinks.
The optics for City Council members and for the City of Thunder Bay are not good. All one has to do is consider the issue of alcohol in our city when it comes to the crime issue. The spectre of an open bar for directors at the CLE is not something that the board should be doing in the modern era.
That is NOT to suggest CLE Directors are irresponsible with alcohol. It is however that as a Director on a public board, that has city representation, the CLE Board should be setting the bar, not drinking at it.
If CLE Directors want to partake of a beverage, there are plenty of places to go! Supporting local businesses should be the new mantra for 2014 at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition.
James Murray
