Mayor’s management style not to be tolerated
Sir: Kudos to John Vollmar and A.T. Huizinga, who wrote excellent letters to the editor voicing the opinions of a great many Sarnians. Almost everyone I have spoken with over the past couple of months has been supportive of the six councillors who held their ground in the face of an irate, vengeful mayor. Mayor Bradley seems to believe that the city is his kingdom to rule by fear as he likes. It seems that his initial response is to use the media to launch attacks whenever anyone disagrees with him. Robert Swayze, the Integrity Commissioner, did his job and did it professionally in my opinion.
After a corporate career of over 20 years myself, I know the kind of management behavior Mike Bradley has demonstrated was not tolerated more than 30 years ago. It's time for Mike Bradley to resign before we lose more city employees.
Beth Gignac for one, was a very competent Parks and Rec Manager, who has just left her position with the city. Her staff lauds her management style. I wonder if the statement made by Mike Bradley calling Ms. Gignac a "media hog" had anything to do with her resignation. Seems to me if there is a "media hog" at city hall, it's the Mayor.
Personal verbal attacks and name calling are taboo as any kind of management style, and blaming it on an ‘Irish’ temper doesn’t work either.
Please keep up the good work councillors, city managers present and past, eventually change will come.
Kathy King
Sarnia
Two sides to every story
Sir: First let me say that I am impressed with the amount of interest the 'Mayor Mike scandal' has had on your readers. It's nice to see our community come to life to voice their concerns.
My voice is usually somewhat muted when it comes to writing letters to the editor. But this story has had so much impact on the community it deserves to stay going. I don't have any new juicy pieces of tidbit to add to the story.
My take is there are two sides to each story and each warranted investigation. Even if Mr. Bradley has stepped outside the boundaries of his duties, I feel the three month pay suspension was a little harsh for what should have been dealt with years ago if warranted. I am lucky enough to work in an environment that if an employee is struggling, whether it is for job performance to bullying/harassment, Human Relations would be asked to come in and work with the employee and provide training to rectify any negative concerns.
If Mr. Bradley is guilty of harassment, why wasn't this dealt with years ago instead of letting it come to a head like this? To stir up the controversy further, I think someone in support of the mayor should set up a donation page on the Internet (sorry I don't have the skills) to help offset this austere penalty. I would gladly donate.
Craig Donald
Sarnia
Slip, slop, slap is the way to go
Sir: Kudos to Mayor Mike Bradley for his willingness to share his story and to your newspaper for your commitment to publishing his letter.
I speak from personal experience when I say that skin cancer is not taken seriously enough.
My brother and only sibling died 28 years ago, at the young age of 26, from Malignant Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Melanoma can be more serious than the other forms of skin cancer because it may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body and cause serious illness and death.
I have followed with keen interest the advances that have been made in all forms of skin cancer and most especially those for Melanoma in the years since his death. Progress in treatments has been made and Melanoma does not necessarily mean a death sentence, which is very encouraging. What is less encouraging is how blasé and disinterested people are in taking the simple steps required to protect themselves from developing skin cancer in any form.
To quote Mike, “SLIP, SLOP, SLAP” is the way to go. It does not take long to teach ourselves to apply these simple rules of skin protection. With conscious effort we can soon train ourselves to make this part of our daily skin care regime. (Remember teaching yourself to bring your own bags to the grocery store? It’s just like that!) Think of it this way: Your skin is essentially your largest organ. It covers and protects all the essential bits of yourself that you need for a long and healthy life.
The truth is, if you don’t take care of yourself no one else will. So remember to reach for the sunscreen, each and every day for the rest of your life, starting today.
Claudette Gasbarini
Sarnia
Coun. Boushy weighs in
Sir: This letter is to answer Gisela Malik’s letter of August 11/2016.
In her letter she wrote that all Councillors do not support Mayor Bradley and his executive assistant, referring to the Integrity Commissioner report.
On June 28 I put forward a motion that would have seen the Mayor not lose three months salary. I said this penalty is too harsh and would be a financial hardship for the mayor. I worked with the mayor for a long term, and I can say very honestly that Mike loves his city. He works hard and is very conscientious.
On the same date there was a public motion aimed at his executive assistant. I voted against this motion also. At a later date July 11, I had the opportunity to say what the council was doing to his executive assistant through such a motion was unfair and cruel.
She is a dedicated employee that served four mayors with dedication and dignity. Hundreds, thousands of people who dealt with her find her amiable and act on their concerns and their problems with kindness. She is very efficient, kind and understanding.
You see Gisela, this Councillor supports Mayor Bradley and his executive assistant.
Coun. Dave Boushy
Sarnia