Essex councillor Randy Voakes is having a month's pay docked after he got out of line with town staff, according to a report by the town's integrity commissioner.
Council voted 4-1 to accept Robert Swayze's recommendation on Monday night after he was called in to investigate four complaints against the councillor.
However, Voakes feels the penalty is the price he pays for taking on the establishment.
"What happened there tonight [at the council meeting] is because I'm reluctant to take 'no' for an answer when 'yes' should be the answer and I'm reluctant to just roll over and accept the status quo," says Voakes.
Integrity Commissioner Robert Swayze reports to Essex council on August 22, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Swayze found Voakes to have crossed the line in falsely hurting the reputation of Jeff Morrison, the town's manager of finance and business services, as well as his inappropriate treatment of Donna Hunter, director of corporate services in Essex.
In his report, Swayze calls Voakes the "prime cause of disruption" on council and the "uncomfortable work environment" at town hall.
"They've been [council] a bit dysfunctional because of personalities between Councillor Voakes and the mayor [Ron McDermott]," says Swayze. "It affects a town doing business."
Voakes doesn't look likely to change his ways despite the penalty.
"They figure the way they can calm me is to take money out of my pocket, they are all so sadly mistaken — every one of them," says Voakes. "As a matter of fact, they've encouraged me to be stronger."
The forfeited pay amounts to about $1,400 that will instead be given as a charitable donation to the Arthritis Society at the request of Voakes.
