Strike two.
County council has again returned a policy recommendation to its administration, finance, and personnel committee a second time for further consideration.
The policy recommendation first occurred last month after county councillor Lou Maieron and Erin councillor Ken Chapman went to the Hillsburgh transfer station to hand out their version of why the site was being closed. Maieron said he never was on county property, but he moved away when asked.
The committee recommended no unauthorized use or activities take place at any county properties or facilities at any time.
The report stated such use included no person, their personal property or equipment be permitted on an county property or facility without approval. Examples of such activities included “electioneering, soliciting, demonstrating, protesting, etc.”
It also stated, “The County of Wellington does not allow activities supporting specific political candidates or parties, circulation of petitions, or disseminating pamphlets in support of an individual’s or group’s particular point of view.”
It said such activities could disrupt staff and visitors, and could pose a safety concern.
The proposal stated the procedures for stopping such activities are:
– staff would explain the activity is not permitted and politely ask the person or persons to leave the site;
– if they will not leave, staff will again politely asked them to leave, and inform the person further action will be taken if they do not comply; and
– if the person will not leave, staff will contact the police for assistance.
When the issue was debated, councillor Walter Trachsel pointed out the county permits delegations at county properties, he asked who the staff would be that ask people to leave, and cited the possibility that such tasks could fall to summer students, and he wondered who would have the authority to ask people to leave.
“It should be the warden or CAO,” he said. “It’s not fair to staff. They’re caught in the middle.”
As for calling the police, Trachsel asked, “For what offence?” He said the committee should at least make the policy a bylaw.
Maieron agreed, and said there has been “a lot of electioneering” at the transfer station and other properties.
He said the issue “has to do with Ken Chapman and myself standing at the road and handing out flyers. When asked to leave, I left.”
Then, he asked, “Why are we doing this? Is there a problem?
Maieron said he could see there is “some purpose to this,” but wondered what would happen if county staff go on strike “and can’t picket.”
Councillor Mike Broomhead said he agreed with Trachsel. “This policy doesn’t count for much. We all know its a Lou Maieron policy. If that particular event is responsible, the warden should speak to it.”
Trachsel then moved to defer a decision and send the report back to committee. Maieron seconded the motion.
Broomhead said it is “fine to defer, and the committee should “spell out what it’s asking for.”
Trachsel said it should be for consideration of a bylaw.
Trachsel’s motion was deferred, with only councillor John Green opposed.
