City council wants Coun. Bill Dennis’ unruly behaviour investigated by Sarnia’s integrity commissioner.
“We also want (Dennis’) behaviour on social media investigated,” said Coun. George Vandenberg who made the motion at a special meeting today (March 18).
Today’s meeting was necessary to finish the business of council and ensure contracts could be awarded for a large amount of infrastructure work, after Coun. Dennis repeatedly berated other members at a March 11 council meeting.
His constant interruptions and angry remarks led to a premature adjournment and left important bylaws unapproved.
Today, an in camera meeting (out of the public forum) was held to hear a legal opinion about how to move forward after Dennis’ outbursts. No action was taken incamera by council but it was the first order of business during the public meeting.
Coun. Dave Boushy initially suggested that council ask only for advice from Integrity Commissioner Benjamin Drory, but that didn’t fly.
The majority supported Vandenberg’s motion for a full investigation of what happened in council chambers March 11. Only Coun. Terry Burrell and Coun. Dennis voted against. Dennis remained silent during the discussion.
Several years ago, Ontario municipalities started hiring integrity commissioners on retainer to investigate local politicians if there are Code of Conduct complaints. Investigations can lead to sanctions, such as the two-day pay suspension Dennis received as a result of his behaviour outside council chambers in October.
Several councillors have pointed out that the mayor has the authority under the city’s Procedural Bylaw to eject a member of council from a meeting if they’ve been called to order twice.
Mayor Mike Bradley explained today why he didn’t take that action.
“It’s been in place for 30 or 40 years and I’ve chosen not to exercise that rule ever,” he told The Journal. “The reality is that when there was an outburst, I had no confidence the individual would leave,” the mayor said.
Bradley said safety concerns at city hall are being raised by city staff related to Dennis’ unruly behaviour.
“We’re hearing it constantly from employees about their own safety in the chamber,” Bradley said. “It’s got nothing to do with council. It’s the individual.
“The feedback is that basically it’s a hostile workplace.”
Bradley also said that he had hoped Dennis would apologize today for his behaviour March 11, just as he did in October when a similar incident occurred.
Following today’s meeting, Vandenberg said that he believes Dennis has valuable ideas as a member of council but needs to “follow the rules.”
“This is not about putting him down,” he said. “I just think we need to get it cleared up, get it out of the way.”
Unfortunately, Dennis’ behaviour is overshadowing the good work of this council, said Vandenberg.
“It’s at the forefront of everybody’s mind and I think everyone just wants to move on,” he said.
“I think council is a little bit down,” added Vandenberg. “We hold ourselves, supposedly, to a higher standard and I think we’re all a little upset.
“I think generally this is a good council. The citizens of Sarnia voted us in and expect us to do the job.”
Coun. Adam Kilner left today’s meeting saying he is looking forward to the integrity commissioner’s report.
“I think the public wants to see action,” said Kilner. “My main concern is we need to have decorum in the chamber and in the lobby.”
Mayor Bradley was in a “strange and unusual” position as chairman of the March 11 meeting because he was one of the targets of Dennis’ tirade, said Kilner.
“That makes it probably more difficult for the mayor to eject anyone. I think that’s why the request for adjournment was made and why I put my hand up in support of that immediately.”
When tempers flare, it’s difficult to make thoughtful decisions, Kilner added.
Sarnia resident Paul Woolley was one of about 15 citizens who attended this morning’s meeting. Woolley said he tried to organize a protest outside city hall in an attempt to get Dennis removed from office.
But he called it off when he learned a special meeting had been scheduled.
“I have never done anything political in my life,” Woolley said. “But I felt the need to do something to stop this untoward behaviour. It’s gone on too long.”
Woolley said he respects most of council and “doesn’t want to hear the name calling and swearing.”
Dennis’ near-complete silence during today’s meeting gave him hope, Woolley said.
“I was amazed not to hear backtalk from him. I hope he has an idea now that he has to behave.”