Mike Fetzer | Mar 08, 2017


How arbitrary, sad, chilling and undemocratic it seems that North Frontenac Coun. Vernon Hermer could be compelled by a government entity--the council--to publicly apologize for Hermer's opinion and protected communication to a constituent that resident views had not been considered or respected by council in deciding on municipal building renovations. It is significant that the apparently sensitive renovation topic might originally have been relegated to closed session debate by council but for Hermer's insistence that the discussion be open. Thank you, Coun. Hermer.

It is regrettable that some council members may have felt disrespected by Hermer's comment to his constituent, but government and political leaders must put on the thinking caps and big boy/big girl pants required in political leadership positions. Even with perhaps genuine and sincere council member assurances and insistence that council members did consider and respect residents' opinions on municipal building renovations, Hermer's email represents his own plausible opinion that council failed in some way to do this fully, fairly or properly. Perhaps he takes the the view that the purported council respect and consideration efforts, if any, were perfunctory, incomplete, or disingenuous, or overwhelmed by undue influences that can sometimes affect governmental decisions--particularly ones government officials prefer to consider and make in private or closed session. Residents whose municipal building renovation views were not adopted by the council may well have the same view as Hermer, and express this opinion. This does not make them liars or guilty of misconduct requiring apology or punishment. They all have free speech rights.

Reasonable people in a civilized society can disagree, sometimes even disagreeably. Wise, informed citizens, as well as uninformed, stupid ones all have free speech rights. Slander and libel are not protected, but every opinion is. It is the right of every citizen to decide for himself/herself whether council afforded due respect and consideration to residents' views in any particular matter, including municipal building renovations. It is not the role of good democratic government to censure citizens or officials who advance "wrong" or unpopular views, opinions or assessments, even under the guise of civility or self-righteous integrity. It also is not the role of democratic government to appoint "integrity commissioners" to monitor, manage, suppress or punish free speech opinions that annoy government officials. Except perhaps in places like Nazis Germany or the Russian Republic, government appointed ethics/integrity commissioners more properly investigate conflicts of interest and financial irregularities, not free speech by citizens and officials. Open, transparent government allows for diverse opinion and facilitates the best and most honest decision-making in a process where truth eventually rises to the surface for all to see.

Of course, even government officials of the highest integrity and proper motivation and respect for citizens can make mistakes. In this case, I believe it is the council members who owe Coun. Hermer the apology. Let's hope no public funds or resources are squandered on the appointment of an "integrity commissioner" or czar in these circumstances.

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