Reported in the media today was the story of a video being posted using Councilor Orser’s Facebook page that could offend some people. Councilor Orser has issued an apology but this issue has given me pause to think and write about several issues that have been in my thoughts.
Recently a member of the LTC commission resigned after making a comment (about Coun. Orser) on Twitter which resulted in a complaint. There is some talk that this person was forced to resign, although the official word from the LTC is that the former commissioner resigned. At the present time the only people who know are people that were in the room. My thought here is that although both incidents were unfortunate and perhaps in hindsight the parties involved would have done things differently.
In any case in both situations an apology could have been made and people should have moved on. Neither case warrants anyone being made to resign.
I still believe that those in public office should hold themselves to a higher standard, but I also know we are all human.
The voters demonstrated in the recent election that they want council to get the on with the work they were elected to do, not to get distracted with these sort of issues.
The other ‘fallout’ from this situation is that all Councilors (and I assume the Mayor) will have to a take a sensitivity and abuse awareness program. I’ve heard at least one person on Council wonder why they should have to take the course. In my opinion if it is mandatorily for city staff and management to take the course it should be for council. This sends a strong message to staff that council is ‘not above the law’ and shows good leadership. I was actually surprised that the training was not mandatory before this.