After chamber outburst, Essex council backs new rules on public conduct

Essex town council has unanimously backed a plan to craft a policy aimed at curbing harassment and other disruptive conduct by members of the public.

The motion, introduced Monday night by Coun. Brad Allard, directs administration to draft rules that would spell out consequences for inappropriate behaviour toward municipal staff and elected officials.

“We all saw what happened here in our council chambers a couple weeks ago with a gentleman … that was uncalled for and very rude,” Allard said, adding there are “other times out in the community where a representative of the town is accosted.”

Allard was referencing a tense moment during a special meeting on Aug. 12 when former mayor Larry Snively, angered by council’s handling of a controversial wedding venue proposal in Harrow, pointed at councillors who voted against the project and told them they were “done” in the next election before storming out.

Bondy immediately responded to Snively’s outburst at the time by calling it “inappropriate” and a threat to councillors.

At Monday’s council meeting, Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley supported Allard’s motion, calling it “a feel-good function, in a sense, because bad behaviour is bad behaviour,” but said setting expectations is still important.

“Whatever we put on that wall, we’re still going to see that type of behaviour from time to time,” said Shepley, referring to signage that could be posted around council chambers outlining rules for proper decorum during meetings.

Administration told council they have already begun work on the framework. Essex’s town clerk and director of legal and legislative services, Joe Malandruccolo, said a policy would set procedures for incidents at town facilities and allow the CAO to restrict communications or, in serious cases, bar individuals from facilities, with an appeal process for affected residents.

Coun. Kim Verbeek pointed to “Rzone” models in other Ontario municipalities, which brand respectful conduct policies (the “R” stands for Respect and Responsibility) and attach clear consequences for abuse.

“You act this way … you’re going to be banned from our facilities for this much time. That can go as far as having law enforcement against them,” Verbeek said.

Coun. Joe Garon noted elected officials should expect scrutiny and even ridicule, but backed “boundaries” that protect staff and set expectations for visitors.

“We don’t have a third-party policy with respect to people coming into the chambers … so that the people coming through the door, who should know better anyways, have to be reminded [how to maintain decorum],” said Garon. “So I’m all for this.”

Coun. Katie McGuire-Blais called it “embarrassing” that such a policy is necessary, but agreed it’s needed to address intimidation and harassment.

“We’re talking about grown adults. These are people who should know how to behave in public,” said McGuire-Blais.

Bondy added she looks forward to the day when Essex has a larger council chamber that will make it easier to manage meetings and maintain decorum. “Where we can actually fit better … we can get these posters up on the wall and everybody will know their expectations,” she said.

Council carried the motion unanimously. A draft policy will return to the table for debate and a vote at a future meeting.