The City of Sarnia's Integrity Commissioner has issued a scathing report saying Mayor Mike Bradley contravened the Council Code of Conduct.
Robert Swayze has recommended the mayor's salary be suspended for the maximum three months permitted by the Ontario Municipal Act, saying Bradley "must change his ways for the good of the City of Sarnia."
Swayze, who was appointed the city's integrity commissioner June 22, 2015, says he took no pleasure in writing the report but feels the mayor's relationship with staff is damaging to the city and must be publicly disclosed and addressed.
Two former senior managers, City Clerk Nancy Wright-Laking and former Director of Planning Jane Cooper filed requests for an inquiry, both saying they resigned because of a poisonous working environment at city hall, not only for themselves but for the director of parks and recreation as well.
In her letter of resignation, Wright-Laking blamed the mayor for bullying and harassment as her decision to leave. Cooper said Bradley's actions, and lack of respect, together with administration's failure to address the issue was the main reason she chose to leave.
Swayze says although the mayor is hard working and sincerely devoted to the city, he is misguided in his perception of his powers and applies them aggressively. He says the city has lost two very experienced and competent senior managers and there may be more resignations arising from the incredibly bad workplace environment created by Mike Bradley.
Swayze's investigation only dates back to April 13, 2015, the day the City's Code of Conduct for Council was adopted.
Council passed a resolution February 29, 2016 asking for the commissioner to investigate.
He recommended part of the motion calling for him to investigate whether the mayor contravened the Workplace Harassment Policy be rescinded due to his understanding that an extensive workplace harassment investigation by a human resource consultant is already underway and should not be duplicated.
There's a special meeting of Sarnia City Council Tuesday, June 28 at 2pm to address the report which is available on the city's website www.city.sarnia.on.ca
-With files from Dave Dentinger