War of words: Sarnia council meeting abruptly adjourned, mayor blames councillor’s conduct
At a monthly council meeting in Sarnia on Monday, things went sideways after one councillor derailed the conversation.
“You guys made this…my little outburst, which I apologized for, you made that sound like it was January 6th, that's why you made the motion. That's why the mayor went on TV and basically said people should be afraid of me, that is absolute nonsense," said Coun. Bill Dennis at the meeting Monday.
While council discussed security recommendations, Dennis continued to interrupt, prompting several councillors to call a point of order.
"Excuse me, excuse me, I am a taxpayer too; I’m not only a councillor,” interrupted Dennis.
“You know what, when those clowns wanted to put you in a bus barn, I had your back,” he added as he pointed to Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley.
Bradley maintains the report was from the health and safety committee making recommendations.
"This wasn't generated by the council on the sense of the actions, it wasn’t generated by the public, but by the health and safety committee of the city of Sarnia that is very concerned about the workplace,” explained Bradley.
But Dennis argued that the discussion and the motion was about him.
"The original motion was always about Bill Dennis, you know, to try to make me look bad. It was always about that. And the mayor went on TV and said that, and another councillor who made that motion basically said that too," explained Dennis, pointing to the fact that there have been heated debates in council chambers in the past that didn’t lead to discussions of escape plans.
“Sarnia City Hall, that particular building has been used since the 1960s, as if they don’t have protocols in place for fire, as if they don't have protocols in place, you know, the one guy talked about for tornados, that's just silly,” said Dennis.
Bradley said this is the second time he had to adjourn the meeting due to Dennis’ behaviour, adding that he wants to see respect and civility restored in the council chambers.
"Now what we have to deal with is that there were a number of substantial, millions and millions of dollars, that was going to be invested in the city, in construction and roads, all those things, because we didn't complete the meeting. Those bylaws have not been passed,” explained Bradley, who now hopes to get those bylaws passed before the next council meeting in April.
Meantime, Dennis said he has put the mayor on legal notice, saying, "You better cool your jets, otherwise this is going to cost you in the wallet."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.