This is my personal statement and not that on behalf of council. I did release this on Saturday afternoon on my social media but I also wanted record of it here on my website. This is in response to recent tweets and interviews by a fellow Essex Councillor – Chris Vander Doelen.
I am deeply disturbed and disappointed to learn of a fellow Councillors recent tweets on Twitter. I personally denounce the racist comments and hope that an apology is being prepared. Words, thoughts and actions by individual Councillors regardless of a so called honest mistake either by design because of one’s values is not what the Town of Essex Administration, employees or Council as a whole believe in. We are a community that takes care of one another and will continue too regardless of a few fringe individuals.
Comments like the recent ones fuel hate crimes and have no place on social media or in society. To all the individuals messaging me and emailing council – I hear you and stand with you.
The email address for the Town’s Integrity Commissioner is robert.swayze@sympatico.ca . You can email about Code of Conduct concerns and file an official complaint. The collective email for council is councilmembers@essex.ca Our Code of Conduct holds us to a high standard but only when enforced. Council members must build and inspire public trust and confidence in local government. Many of us have worked extremely hard to set the bar high, please don’t let one person be the image of all councillors by actions that set the bar low. We collectively have to keep pushing for an environment which is free from discrimination and harassment. It saddens me in this day and age we still have to stop racism in its tracks but I will not give up that fight for you and for us.
Councillor Chris Vander Doelen you owe our community and our council an apology. This isn’t the first time disrespect has been shown to members of our community but hopefully it is the last. As I get updates on the file I will post them.
The text below is a summary of the information provided by the Town of Essex Integrity Commissioner, Robert Swayze, in response to a number of complaints made by members of the public about the conduct of Council Members.
The Integrity Commissioner has already received more than 50 emailed complaints regarding the statements made on social media by Councillor Vander Doelen. The Integrity Commissioner wishes to advise the public that only one complainant is required to complete a sworn affidavit, as required under the Town’s Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards. As a result the Integrity Commissioner has informed all other complainants that their submissions as sent by email will also be accepted as formal complaints and be considered as part of the investigation.
While many of the emails requested immediate court action or the removal of the Councillor from their seat, the Integrity Commissioner noted those actions are beyond his jurisdiction. Under the Municipal Act, Section 223, the Integrity Commissioner’s powers include recommending a suspension of Council pay for up to 90 days or a formal Council reprimand.
The Integrity Commissioner also noted that he would be reporting his findings and recommendation(s) to Council as soon as possible and is tentatively scheduled to appear at the May 17, 2021 Regular Council Meeting.
Statement from Mayor Larry Snively
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2021
Town of Essex Mayor Larry Snively has issued the following statement on the recent comments made by Councillor Vander Doelen.
“The Town of Essex denounces the language used by Councillor Vander Doelen in recent social media posts this week. There is no place for these kinds of statements in our community and they do not reflect the beliefs of Council nor the Town of Essex.
The impact of these kinds of statements is undeniable. As Head of Council, I have asked Councillor Vander Doelen to retract his statements and issue a public apology.
Council and I have received a significant number of phone calls, emails, and social media messages concerning this matter. We appreciate everyone who has shared their concerns with us and we understand that official complaint(s) are in the process of being filed with the Integrity Commissioner, who has the independent authority to initiate investigations into the conduct of individual Council Members.
Council and I continue to be committed to making our community a place where everyone belongs.”