Smiths Falls councillors face suspensions with pay following hot mic incident
SMITHS FALLS — Two Smiths Falls councillors have been suspended from their duties following a hot mic incident at a recent council meeting.
Councillors Jay Brennan and Steve Robinson were suspended for 45 days and 15 days, respectively, with pay.
Coun. Peter McKenna, who chaired the Jan. 12 committee of the whole meeting, made the announcement during his rise and report from an in-camera session. He said council reviewed the recording from the Jan. 5 meeting and determined both councillors breached the code of conduct.
“Coun. Brennan certainly expressed his very deep remorse and regret, apologized to council, to each and every one of us, to staff, and to the general public,” McKenna said.
McKenna said the committee concluded there was a serious breach of the code of conduct, which was not denied by either councillor.
It was council’s recommendation that Brennan be suspended from his duties for 45 days, while Robinson received a 15-day suspension. Both suspensions are with pay.
“He will be compensated during that time,” McKenna said of Brennan, adding that Robinson’s text messages with Brennan were also considered in determining the breach of the code of conduct.
“Committee of the whole want the public to know that we’ve taken this matter very seriously,” McKenna said. “We agree the comments were inexcusable. We have accepted the apology from Coun. Brennan and don’t doubt his remorse in making those comments.”
Brennan addressed council following the decision.
“I apologized to council by email. I apologize to the taxpayers, to my fellow councillors, to staff, and I have no choice but to accept council’s decision, as we always do,” he said. “Very disappointed in myself and frankly embarrassed. Not a good day.”
Mayor Shawn Pankow said council acted within its authority under the code of conduct.
“There was obviously a breach of the code of conduct, but council has the ability to meet, discuss and determine the outcome of that breach,” Pankow said. “We have done so. We have received the apologies and the acknowledgements that the public needs to hear. Now we are prepared to move on and serve the community.”
The portion of the Jan. 5 council meeting video referenced by council has since been removed from the town’s YouTube channel. The clip was archived by MyFM’s Grant Deme, who reported on the incident following the meeting. Brennan did not respond to a request for comment from Hometown News prior to publication.
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Is this a suspension or a paid holiday?JOKE
Tell me.council members concur without telling me they concur.
Tay Valley Township (TVT)refuses to record meetings. At a August 12 Council Meeting, Deputy Reeve Fred Dobbie made targeted, disparaging remarks to three members of the public who attended the meeting. TVT Integrity Commissioner, Tony Fleming, also TVT solicitor, refuses to investigate saying Dobbie apologised (Not true). The incident was not mentioned in the meeting minutes. Even if Dobbie had apologized his actions deserve serious sanctions. Such is the way in Tay Valley Township. Council lead by Reeve Rob Rainer remains silent.