Sarnia's Integrity Commissioner is recommending city councillor Bill Dennis be reprimanded for what he has determined to be "inappropriate behaviour."
In a report being presented Monday, Paul Watson said he received three formal complaints following the September 13, 2021 council meeting, two were the same complaint and one was dismissed.
The complaint Watson makes his recommendation from, surfaced after councillor Dennis laughed and uttered a swear word during the meeting in response to a comment made by councillor Stark.
Watson also references an email exchange between the two councillors after the meeting.
Commissioner Watson calls the exchange over the mandatory mask by-law, "unfortunate because the debate between councillor Dennis and councillor Stark had moved into an area that was not relevant to the motion on the floor."
Watson said he reviewed video, ordered a partial transcript of the meeting and conducted interviews.
Watson said an explanation he received from councillor Dennis that he did not know he had a live microphone was not sufficient.
"First, the use of the swear word was preceded by a “laugh” that was intended to show disdain for the response from councillor Stark," commissioner Watson said in his report. "Secondly, the use of the swear word can also be made out by lip reading. So it was seen as well as heard. Thirdly, councillor Stark had not spoken for some time. Fourthly, on or about September 15, 2021, councillor Dennis repeated his remarks when he posted a response to a citizen’s comment on his Facebook page as follows: “Like I said... Bull$**t."
Watson said he has found that Dennis violated the council's code of conduct by failing to conduct himself with "decorum."
Watson said he provided councillor Dennis with a draft of his findings January 10 and advised him that he had 10 days to file a response, which he did, and after reviewing his response he did not change his findings or recommendations in any substantial way.
Watson said while he considered recommending Dennis publicly apologize for his conduct, an apology has to come from the heart and a sincere one can't be forced.
His full findings can be viewed here.
Meantime, a separate complaint questioned the conduct of Mayor Mike Bradley, and councillors Nathan Colquhoun, Mike Stark and Dave Boushy.
Watson is recommending council receive that report and take no further action.
That report can be viewed here.