SEWS Comments on fiscal court actions
Matt Adams
General Manager of
General Affairs and Human Resources
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc., (SEWS), would like to comment on the actions taken today by the Metcalfe County Fiscal Court regarding the decision to return the $10,000 donation made by SEWS to the County during the 30th Anniversary celebration of SEWS in 2017.
In September 2017, SEWS contacted both the City of Edmonton Mayor and Metcalfe County Judge/Executive about a donation of $10,000 to commemorate SEWS’ 30 year anniversary. SEWS asked both groups to propose a worthy project to benefit the community. SEWS’ management team would then select one of the proposals and award the donation.
The City’s proposal was for an additional playground set for the City Park. The County’s proposal was for a concrete outdoor stage for the Courtyard. SEWS chose the County’s proposal for the outdoor concrete stage and on May 5, 2018 a donation of $10,000 was made to the Metcalfe County Fiscal Court.
On August 23, 2019, a gazebo was placed in the Courtyard, with a public announcement naming SEWS as the donor of the funds to make the gazebo possible.
In a September 5, 2019 meeting with Judge Executive Harold Stilts and SEWS management, we discussed why the gazebo was purchases instead of the proposed concrete outdoor stage that presumably would serve to support larger community functions for a greater number of citizens, for a longer period of time. The outcome of this meeting from Judge Executive Harold Stilts was to then return the $10,000 and have SEWS reconsider other ways to utilize these funds for the citizens of the City of Edmonton and Metcalfe County.
SEWS is so very proud of our hard working associates that make Edmonton and Metcalfe County their home and that have been a part of the SEWS family for over 30 years in Edmonton. It is with great respect for this community that SEWS management will work with community leaders to ensure the $10,000 will go to a project that we can all be proud of for many years to come.
