For the second time this term, an outburst from Sarnia Councillor Bill Dennis has forced a meeting to be adjourned early.
The latest happened Monday during a discussion about a report from the city's Joint Health and Safety Committee, outlining possible safety and security measures at city hall.
Council asked for the report as a result of Dennis' actions at the October 16 session, during which he had heated words for Sarnia Environmental Advisory Committee member Greg McConkey, and a couple in the lobby following the meeting.
In February, the majority of council endorsed a recommendation from Benjamin Drory to suspend Dennis' pay for two-days for contravening the code of conduct following that meeting.
One of the committee's recommendations was to develop an emergency plan, something Councillor Anne Marie Gillis wanted to see happen.
"The rationale is, of course, is it talks about training staff and council what to do if there is something that happens that causes us to vacate this area," said Gillis. "Particularly, I'm thinking of tornadoes or someone who comes in that would be armed, or not. Half of council would be wiped out because there's no way to get through the doorway that fast. If this were a full council chambers, I'm not sure those two exits could accommodate everyone. And, if you look at the new school at the former SCITS, the one reason they're not using the auditorium is because they don't have an evacuation plan."
Dennis took issue with Gillis' comments.
"Councillor Gillis, you were here between 2014 and 2018 and you witnessed basically rumbles occurring in the chamber," said Dennis. "Why didn't you bring forward security protocols back then? Heck, there wasn't only rumbles in the chambers, there was a riot taking place outside during a protest that turned into a riot. This is political showmanship. This was brought up by Councillor White after I apologized in October. The mayor went on a television show and basically slandered myself by suggesting that we had to get security because of me. I'm 5' 9'', I'll be 55 in a couple of weeks, I'm overweight and out of shape, I'm not exactly Chuck Norris. The only thing that people are afraid of are my words."
Mayor Mike Bradley asked Dennis not to personalize the matter.
"This is not about you, this is to develop an emergency plan that is prudent in today's world," said Bradley. "There were comments made that were not directed at you, they were about general security. Then, I received word that you were going to sue myself and the city. That's made our relationship very difficult to make this council function."
Dennis said their relationship was difficult well before then.
Bradley asked Dennis not to point at him during his retort, and Dennis replied "fine, I'll blow you kisses then."
Dennis continued to take aim at the mayor.
"The only violence I've witnessed in this council chamber is when the CAO put his hands on an 82-year-old photojournalist for taking staffs' pictures," he said. "And I brought that up."
Councillor Adam Kilner interjected.
"Excuse me. Your worship, I am here to want to talk about emergency protocols," he said. "As an organization I don't want to talk about everybody's individual baggage. I was elected and I was happy to come to this table, not combat fellow councillors or citizens. Yes, we have our own opinions. I'm here because I want to make things work. So, I really don't appreciate anybody going after anybody else in these chambers. If there's a tornado, how are we leaving this room? That's not about anybody because nobody caused it. I think that's a fair discussion to have. We're not talking about October 16, so can we please move that off the table and work together?"
Becoming noticeably more upset, Dennis clapped back.
"You're making this about a tornado?" he said. "You're making October 16 sound like it was January 6. You guys made my little outburst, which I apologized for, sound like it was January 6. That's why you made the motion, that's why the mayor went on TV and said people should be afraid of me. That's absolute nonsense. It's all political gamesmanship. You know why? (Mayor Bradley) is terrified for two and a half years when I run against him for mayor. That's what he's afraid of."
Despite repeated calls for "point of order" by councillor Gillis, Dennis continued on.
"You know what, I'm a taxpayer too," he said.
He pointed to the other side of the chamber and said "when those clowns wanted to put you (Bradley) at the bus barn, I had your back."
Bradley then ended the session before the rest of the items were dealt with.
"You (Dennis) have left me with no choice but to adjourn this meeting once again, and I'm asking you to adjourn the meeting because of your behavior," said Bradley.
Other possible security options highlighted by Sarnia's Joint Health and Safety Committee included:
Developing a security protocol with controlled access points, vigilant surveillance, and trained personnel to promptly respond to any potential security concerns.
Updating the Procedure By-Law to clearly define the rules of council chambers, and its safety and security measures.
Creating a contentious meeting protocol to maintain order and safety in chambers.
Re-educating/training the chair or city clerk on the rights to recess and remove members from the chamber.
Establishing physical measures in chambers, like installing metal detectors and x-ray scanners at entrances to deter potential threats and hiring security to manage crowd control, identify suspicious behavior, and respond to emergencies.
The committee consulted several other municipalities, including the Village of Point Edward, to compile the options for consideration.