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Retired banker Charles MacDonald has followed the ongoing court battle between Alberta Treasury Branches (ATB) and West Edmonton Mall (WEM) with professional interest. After 38 years of working within western Canada's banking industry, the 76-year-old knows and respects many of the key players. "I've known the Ghermezians [owners of WEM] and Peter Pocklington for years," says Mr. MacDonald, who was president of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce when he retired in 1978, "and I think these people have contributed an awful lot to the city."
Mr. MacDonald does not know Elmer Leahy, former acting superintendent of the ATB. Nevertheless, in letters to current ATB chairman Marshall William and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein he defends Mr. Leahy, calling for "wind[ing] up this apparent witch hunt." He...