“This town actually needs for the provincial government to set up a committee to run this town for four years,” he said. “And then look at electing a council, because there’s too many people (who) have got their own personal agendas and people who are of the impression that they’re indispensible.”
His comments are reminiscent of his time on council, never shying away from controversy or expressing his opinion.
“I don’t even mind controversy, but futility and childishness I just can’t go for it.”
So he’s done with it all.
“Steady Brook is a special kind of a town. I can’t take no more of it. If I was somewhere else, maybe.”
Rowsell was acclaimed as the town’s mayor in 2013, following four years as a councillor.
It wasn’t his first stint as councillor though as he served previously some 15 or 16 years ago. He had to give it up then because of health reasons and during his recent terms felt issues with his hearing was sometimes taken advantage of.
He also feels some councillors went against everything he tried to do for the town. “Just to go against me and I’ve had it.”
Theoretically, he said if a good enough group of people agree with each other that’s fine.
“But I’ve seen a lot personal agendas on the go around here.”
But not everybody, he adds.
“Some of those people on council were really good councillors and you could have a damn good argument with them, but if the majority ruled they went with it, so did I.”
Rowsell has spoken out on many decisions made by council that he didn’t agree with, like the new artisan well water supply.
“Stuff that I thought was a waste of taxpayers money, but I’m only one voice.
“The problem with being a mayor, you can be dead set against something, but still when it proves out that you were right because you’re mayor it’s all your fault.”
And his criticism doesn’t just extend to the municipal level as he’s had some conflicting ideas or issues with the Department of Municipal Affairs.
He said the department is “a wasted arm of government,” and what it does could be done by other divisions.
