The Owners of Northern Elite Firearms once had a sign on the back of this dugout. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

City Hall

Council rebukes Northern Elite Firearms owners after ‘negative social media campaign’ results in threats

Jul 19, 2022 | 8:37 AM

A social media campaign by one of the owners of Northern Elite Firearms may have helped end the company’s chances of having a sponsorship sign approved at a youth baseball diamond in the city.

Councillor Blake Edwards said that the social media posts made by Melanie Markling resulted in his opposition to having Northern Elite Firearms remain a potential sponsor of the Crescent Acres ball diamonds.

Edwards said he met with the owners and asked them to allow the council review process to happen.

“But that’s not what happened. City council and the mayor, we were just thrown under the bus on all of this. We hadn’t made a decision in this chamber on the sign,” he said.

Edwards also pointed out that the city was accused of theft of the sign and then added that he believed the company had been offered a refund for its sponsorship agreement and the sign has been returned.

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He said that no councillor or the mayor has voted on the sign at all.

“So how can we allow a business to run all of that toxicity and still support. It’s not about the sign anymore,” he said.

Heith Olmstead, who owns the business with Markling, said that their business was listed as a sponsor in the April council meeting, and nothing was done at the time.

It was pointed out that the correct process involves the main organization, in this case, Prince Albert Minor Baseball, proposing a list of sponsors who must be approved by council before signs can be put up.

None of the businesses should have had signs erected as none have been approved yet.

Olmstead added that in his conversations with staff and several councillors, a decision seems to have been made that will not allow the sign ever to be installed.

Markling and Olmstead attended the executive committee meeting of council on Monday to discuss their business sign, accompanied by a group of supporters after Markling put out a call on social media for people to show up as support.

Mayor Greg Dionne said that despite the fact that he owns a gun himself and supported the Elite Firearms ad in the tourism brochure, he would not support the sign because the social media campaign has resulted in threats against him.

“I will not be bullied. I will not be threatened. You’d be shocked what I’ve been told over a sign. You’d better lock your doors. Are the windows in your truck bulletproof,” he said.

At least two members of council say they have had threats following social media campaigns like this by Melanie Markling, co-owner of Elite Firearms. (Melanie Markling page/Facebook)

Olmstead and Markling both said that no threats were made by Northern Elite Firearms and that they are a law-abiding business.

“We are law-abiding citizens. If people are calling and threatening you, that is not us. Those are the people of Prince Albert speaking out and saying what is right and what is wrong,” said Olmstead.

Councillor Dennis Ogrodnick said he has received threats in the past when council was voting on COVID-related policies.

“I have personally not been threatened by the business or the owners of the business, but as a result of the social media, I’ve gone through hell,” he said.

The Community Services Department said they received multiple complaints about the appropriateness of a sign advertising guns at a city recreation facility. The concerns prompted staff to take down the signs and review the entire issue under the Naming Rights and Sponsorship Policy, adopted by council in 2015.

Initially, staff thought it was a good chance to teach responsible gun ownership to the public but said that they prioritize sponsorships from businesses that are positive partners.

Markling did not fit, said the report written by Jody Boulet, Community Services Director.

“Ms. Markling has previously displayed blatant disrespect to City staff and has refused to follow City Facility rules and protocols. This led her to being banned from City facilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” reads the report. “Ms. Markling has displayed consistent negative behaviour toward the City during the review of her current sponsorship offer. Rather than respect due process and appropriate time for City Council to review the matter, Ms. Markling has initiated a negative Social Media campaign against the City in advance of a decision being arrived at.”

“With this pattern of behaviour in mind, the Department does not consider Ms. Markling or her business to serve as a positive partner with the City. On this basis, the Department is of the opinion that the sponsorship offer from Northern Elite Firearms to this particular Fundraising Campaign be declined.”

The staff recommendation that Prince Albert Minor Baseball be given the approval to go ahead with sponsorship of the other businesses, without Northern Elite Firearms was supported seven to two by council.

Councillor Tony Head opposed the exclusion, saying he and his family are hunters and support the store. Charlene Miller did not give a reason for her opposition.

The decision is not yet final as it must be passed at a regular city council meeting.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com