Bradley hasn’t grasped the gravity of his actions
Sir: There is no question in the minds of most constituents that Sarnia mayor Mike Bradley is devoted to his job.
That noted we must be very clear that devotion to one’s job is not enough. A poisoned work environment puts the mental and resulting physical health of its employees at great risk.
Let us not be fooled in thinking his harassment impacted the four complainants alone; there would be secondary impacts to other employees present at City Hall.
Had Mr. Bradley been an employee of any other corporation he would presently be on the list of the unemployed. As this is not possible, council must execute any legal action possible to ensure a safe work environment for all employees at City Hall.
The weak apologetic rhetoric received from Mr. Bradley in response to Ms. Bernardi’s workplace investigation report suggests he does not understand the gravity of its contents, and that of which he has been found guilty.
Mr. Bradley must come to terms with the fact he has a serious problem before he will be able to channel his efforts in a positive direction.
Continuing to justify his actions by focusing on good work accomplished is counteractive to what must be accomplished. Mr. Bradley must put forth a sincere effort to seek help in understanding and overcoming his issues. He must work with Council to change the atmosphere at City Hall one day at a time.
In his book ‘Secret Life,’ Kevin Donovan quotes a former justice of the US Supreme Court as saying, “Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best disinfectant.”
I applaud council for its courageous response to the acrid and controversial situation with which it has been confronted.
I encourage every member of this community to scream from the highest rooftop, demanding a safe workplace at City Hall, and to support our council every step of the way as they endeavour to create a workplace free of harassment.
Donna Suffield
Sarnia
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Wannabe councillors acting like children
Sir: I have lived in Sarnia since I was 16-years-old, and that was 60 years ago.
I am truly sad to say I am ashamed of my city and the way the so-called leaders at City Hall are conducting themselves.
Thesewannabe councillors are acting like a bunch of kids fighting over Halloween candy. They must really want to be mayor.
The promises they gave when they ran for council don’t related to the childishness and back-stabbing we’re hearing about every day in the media.
I wish we could have a new election now and make all the dissenting councillors run for mayor. That would be a great way to get rid of some of them.
Since we can’t, they need to get their heads out of their butts and start working for the people who made a big mistake by voting them in.
P.S. I would keep Dave, two Mikes and Andy.
Jim McMurray
Sarnia
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Bradley is the perpetrator, not the victim
Sir: I was shocked by how many Sarnians rallied around the mayor at council chambers on Oct. 24. I would have thought Ghandi was being supported, not Mike Bradley.
I read that Mayor Bradley is being abused and harassed by Councillors. “Ashamed of Sarnia city council,” “Let mayor govern with dignity,” “Criminal for council to dock mayor’s pay,” the headlines might read.
What’s going on here?
Mayor Bradley is NOT the victim. He’s the perpetrator. He started everything.
He has held the City of Sarnia’s ultimate position of power for well over 20 years and has disgraced himself and his position. He’s guilty of the workplace harassment of four women that we know of. He’s not a saint.
It doesn’t matter what you call it, harassing, bullying, intimidating, or dominating, it was happening for years and it must be addressed.
It’s a shame to see councillors and city staff wasting precious time and money on this issue, but it never would have happened if the Mayor hadn’t abused his position of power.
Mike Bradley won’t resign because he feels he’s done nothing wrong, so councillors had a difficult decision to make. Their only recourse and obligation was to protect those working with him, which in this case is almost everyone.
Now is when these Councillors need your support.
What they don’t need are couch jockeys telling them how to run the city or discipline the mayor.
If it were your wife, your mother, your sister, or your daughter that was bullied, harassed, or dominated for years by the CEO at work, and he did not accept responsibility nor resign, would a simple apology be enough?
It’s time to support the real victims and move forward.
Matt Huzevka
Sarnia
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Enough is enough with the sanctions on Bradley
Sir: After reading the last flurry of articles on Mayor Mike Bradley I decided to read the "Workplace Investigation Report," which is available on the City of Sarnia website.
Pages 4 and 5 of that report give a long list of examples of harassment and bullying.
It includes among many other things: making little or no eye contact, using a disrespectful tone of voice, refusing to engage in common pleasantries, staring or glaring, etc. I recommend you have a look at the report and come to your own conclusions.
I am by no means defending the mayor's actions, assuming the allegations are true, but it does not warrant how he is being treated.
First of all, why is city council always meeting behind closed doors to dream up how next to punish the mayor. As a citizen of Sarnia I have not only the right to hear what is being discussed but also how individual councillors are voting.
Also, the mayor has been financially penalized, locked out of City Hall in the off hours, forbidden to communicate with any city staff and had his office relocated outside of city hall. When and where will this end?
The people of Sarnia elected Mayor Bradley to do a job. City council is making sure that he can't do that by imposing ridiculous sanctions. Are they not creating a poisoned work environment for him?
I assume that he has learned his lesson and is now aware of what is and is not acceptable behaviour, so force him to take workplace sensitivity training, but for god sakes let him do his job.
Walter Frais
Sarnia
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City manager should run city hall
Sir: When a plumber sells used toilets as new to a client, or a dealer sells cars with a hidden defect, or a teacher bullies a child, or a major bullies city hall employees, it all has consequences.
When caught, the law and/or society will deal with them. There are no acceptations.
The major was voted into office by the Sarnia citizen to do what a major usually does, sign the laws, chair the meetings, deal with the press, etc.
He was not voted in as CEO of the city
In my opinion, the city manager should run city hall and not the major. Running city hall is part of the manager’s job; that is what she or he is hired for.
The major was not voted in for that job. If an employee does not perform the way he or she has to, the major should take it up with the city manager.
The outcome of the two investigations shows the major has been in total breach of the workplace harassment policy of the city of Sarnia, and the city council had to take action.
Bradley has been a good major for Sarnia and council knows that too well. But he went outside his duty to try to run city hall.
I do not think council is out to put a knife in his back. If the major will cooperate with council, I think they can bring it to a satisfaction solution.
A. T. Huizinga
Sarnia
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City Hall rally was a disgrace
Sir: I am very troubled by the Oct. 28 rally in support of Mike Bradley at City Hall.
The actions of the mayor's supporters further contributed to the ongoing character assassination of the victims in the harassment cases.
I have read the Workplace Investigation Report. I find the report credible and that the mayor acted against the law of the province. I can no longer support the mayor. He has discredited himself and brought shame to this city.
The mayor's supporters are bringing further shame to the city by participating in this type of rally that only serves to further victimize the claimants of the harassment cases.
The rally on Friday was a disgrace.
Miriam Evans
Bright’s Grove
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Mayor’s victims deserve support from women
Sir: It is with great sadness I read letters to the editor recently that attempt to cast doubt on the stories of women who were intimidated in the workplace by our mayor.
Those that are the most upsetting are those sent by women. Is it any wonder that women continue to endure harassment and unfair treatment when even members of their own gender do not support them?
As a female in a male-oriented field for many years I am well aware of "the old boys club" mentality and gender biased tactics that unfortunately still exist.
While I am sure that Mayor Bradley has many redeeming qualities, the fact that he has abused these women in this manner disqualifies him as someone I want representing my city.
If these women were your sisters, wives, girlfriends, etc. would you be willing to put his behaviour aside so easily? I will certainly cast my vote of support for these women in the next election. I hope you will too.
Pauline Anderson
Sarnia
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Police and fire responders deserve our thanks
Sir: In response to the Oct. 12 letter from Jeff Williams, re: police and fire salaries.
I feel compelled to respond. Mr. Williams believes that both of these agencies could be handled by volunteers. Really?
I am well aware that we have many volunteers that supplement fire protection. I applaud them, thank them and God bless them and their families.
I wonder if Mr. Williams has ever had the fire department come to a townhouse where a sump pump was malfunctioning and filling the basement with smoke?
Before they left they gave our three-year-old granddaughter a black teddy bear to comfort her. Thank you, to all concerned.
I wonder if Mr. Williams has ever had a policeman help on Highway 402 when a daughter has had an accident coming home from a doctor’s appointment in London with her young son.
We have, and we say thank you again.
When I sit down and write a letter to the editor I am usually in my happy place. My intent with this response is to sincerely thank those in service to us.
Keep safe. We need you. We appreciated what you do each and every day.
Mary Ettinger
Sarnia