Sarnia police were on hand for an emotionally charged rally in support of embattled Mayor Mike Bradley outside city hall late Friday morning.
As many as 300 people gathered to protest sanctions being imposed against the mayor by city council for workplace bullying and harassment.
Councillor Cindy Scholten drew an angry response when she walked into the pro-Bradley crowd carrying an anti-bullying sign.
Protesters surrounded her, shouting "shame on you."
Scholten said she decided at the last minute to attend the rally in support of the four city staff members who the mayor was found to have harassed. "He has been found guilty of workplace harassment and bullying by an outside investigator on four women, three of whom have quit, and we have one victim still inside city hall that we are here to protect," Scholten said over shouts from the crowd.
Bradley did not attend the rally but veteran councillor David Boushy spoke in defense of the mayor, in office now for 28 years. "The office of the mayor was voted in by you," Boushy said to loud cheers from the crowd, "and the office of the mayor should not be outed unless you vote him out."
Prior to the protest, Sarnia's Finance Director Lisa Armstrong provided the cost of the mayor harassment and code of conduct investigations so far this year.
"In 2016 year-to-date, we have $68,000 in costs for the integrity commissioner including his annual fee plus additional costs," says Armstrong.
"For the HR investigation, we've spent $210,000 to date."
The latest sanctions against the mayor, including relocating his city hall office, came as a result of the workplace investigation report that found he bullied and harassed four senior staff members, including city manager Margaret Misek-Evans.
The mayor was also docked three months pay after the Integrity Commissioner found he had breached council's code of conduct.
- With Files From Melanie Irwin
Crowd erupts booing Councillor Cindy Scholten when she shows up with 'Stop Bullying' sign. #SLont pic.twitter.com/5CseHoK5XL
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) October 28, 2016
Resident screaming to Scholten "You're the bully!' 'Go home Cindy!' And 'Leave office!" #SLontpic.twitter.com/HNglKMEjxP— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) October 28, 2016
