There will be no apology for the language a 91原创 City statement used to describe a dispute with the Township of 91原创 over police funding.
During a debate at the Monday, Jan. 13 City council meeting, Councillor Delaney Mack, with the support of fellow council member Leith White, called for a retraction of the Jan. 7 press release, along with an apology, saying the statement used "inflammatory" language when it called the Township demand for another $1.75 million for RCMP "unfair" and accused the larger community of "bullying tactics."
There will be no apology by 91原创 City Council for a statement complaining 91原创 Township was "bullying" the smaller municipality over RCMP funding, after Council voted down a call for a retraction.
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Mack called the decision to issue the press release a "clear error of judgment."
"We made inferences about intent and we utilized offensive name calling," Mack argued.
"We should be negotiating a good faith, taking the high road, informing residents in a constructive way and acting professionally."
White said the statement "did not represent the tone with which I feel we should be approaching such critical discussions and negotiations."
Relations between the two municipalities have been worsening since the Township served notice it wanted to de-integrate the RCMP, creating two detachments.
Township Mayor Eric Woodward has complained the City hasn't been paying its fair share of police costs under the joint operating arrangement between the two communities.
Woodward has also called the press release "inflammatory," saying the City was short "at least 20-25 RCMP Members."
"It鈥檚 clearly long past the time for the City of 91原创 to take responsibility for policing its own community," Woodward commented.
During Monday's debate, Coun. Rosemary Wallace took a swipe at Woodward for some of his statements, saying "when it comes to social media and his inflammatory comments and sarcasm to the city, that is what is happening. And if you never call out a bully, a bully keeps on bullying."
Later in the debate, Wallace walked back her remarks, saying "it's not in my character to do what I did, but I wish people would just stay away from social media."
"We've been able to meet at a table with this Township council," Wallace noted. "Every term that I've been on council, we've been able to sit around a table and have dinner and have pleasant conversations."
Mayor Pachal saw no need for an apology.
"I certainly stand by the press release that was issued and what words were quoted and attributed to me," Pachal said. "And I think I'll just leave it at that."
A majority of council agreed, voting down the call for an apology and retraction.
