Staffer Fires Back Over Internet Live Streaming Comments

Craig Bakay | Feb 15, 2023

An email to Addington Highlands Council provoked a response from Dep. Clerk/Planning Secretary Patricia Gray, who was named by title in the email.

The email, added to the Feb. 7 meeting agenda, questioned how staff goes about the process of getting video of the Township Council meetings onto the Internet (YouTube) and called for the hiring of a dedicated IT position as well as questioning the equipment the township owns. It also referenced a staff comment at the Jan. 31 Special Council meeting that providing the internet feeds can be “stressful.”

The email said: “Council has the power . . . to seek help/training for staff. Staff could easily commit $1,000 or more or less to staff training and/or IT support. Maybe equipment or software needs to be upgraded. Regardless of the best solution, Council needs to acknowledge that support is needed and support staff accordingly.”

“The internet (component) makes for additional elements of stress,” Gray replied. “We worry about internet connectivity, will everyone be able to join in, be seen and heard and will there be any glitches beyond our control.

“As staff, we are accountable to the public, we understand that, but the scrutiny we have been receiving is not just a watchful eye or keeping us accountable.

“There have been accusatory statements aimed at our performance and integrity.”

She said that as humans, they make mistakes sometimes, but they have been doing this in one form or another since the pandemic hit, initially with help from the County and now on their own.

“In my opinion, we do not need additional staff or upgrades to tech,” she said. “We just need to be given a break.”

She said that the criticism isn’t widespread.

“We only hear it from a few,” she said.

“Nice response, well done,” said Coun. Ken Hook.

“Very professional response,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch.

Fritsch went even further, moving that staff be directed to “consult with a solicitor and investigate policies how to prevent and/or deal with harassment of members of staff and Council by members of the public.”

Fritsch said he made his motion (which passed) after consultation with Reeve Henry Hogg and then (along with Hogg) with senior staff.

More about communication

Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie asked Council for direction as to how to proceed after receiving an email from Marlean McLean that asked a number of questions she claimed were brought to her by “ratepayers.”

“I just don’t know the legitimacy of people claiming they’re a spokesperson,” said Coun. Kirby Thompson. “It’s almost like hearsay.”

“There are 16 questions and it’s not just a couple hours work to answer them,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch. “I don’t have an issue with people asking questions but the issue here is the volume all at once and that takes the resources of staff away from other work.

“Not that there isn’t validity in some of the questions.”

“Several of these questions are on the political side and not just a one-person job,” said Coun. Helen Yanch.

Fritsch moved to direct Reavie to “respond to questions that have factual answers” and not questions related to opinions or strategy.

“The rest will be deferred and we’ll deal with it later,” Fritsch said.

Renovation to Medical Centre Pharmacy

Council approved CBO/MLEO/Facilities Manager David Twiddy’s request to award a $32,040 project to Morden Engineering and Contracting for renovations to the Northbrook Medical Centre pharmacy in order to provide more space for waiting patients as well as allow the pharmacy to return to having walk-in traffic.

Twiddy said that the project is somewhat time sensitive in that Morden is doing work in the area soon and would be available.

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed said that in her opinion, awarding this job wouldn’t be in conflict with the Township policy of putting jobs out to tender as Morden has become something of a de facto contractor of record for the Township.

“Expanding the waiting area would mitigate the lack of foot traffic, which has been a problem since the pandemic began in 2020,” he said.

“I think it’s essential we get something done for them,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

Community Safety

CAO Christine Reed said they’re looking for citizens to be part of a group that would meet with the OPP to discuss community safety.

Keep streets clear

Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie wanted to remind residents not to park on the street or pile up snow on roadways so they can remove it.

“You keep the streets clean so we can,” he said.