Minutes before the mayor arrived at Hudson’s Stephen F. Shaar Community Centre to open the May 26 council meeting, those present witnessed a blatant violation of the town’s month-old code of ethics and good conduct for elected municipal officers.
Witnesses to the outburst included fellow councillors as well as the town’s director-general and assistant town clerk, plus a handful of citizens. Also left open-mouthed was the CSUR video recording crew waiting for Mayor Chloe Hutchison to call the meeting to order before starting the live online feed.
Still unclear is what triggered the councillor’s explosion. He had just taken his seat when he was approached by a resident of his district who wondered when they could schedule an appointment to discuss a neighbourhood drainage issue cited by the town as the reason why the street can’t be repaved.
The councillor was the only one raising his voice. He was busy. Too busy to call, too busy to reschedule. Get out of my face. You’re disturbing my vibe. It was one of those moments that gets posted on social media if someone has the presence of mind to hit record on their phone.
Here’s the kicker: Bylaw 781-2026 Code of Ethics and Good Conduct for Elected Municipal Officers of the Town of Hudson was adopted unanimously at the April 28 meeting. In this case, the focus is on Section 4.3 Respect and civility for other members, municipal employees and citizens:
More specifically, each Council member must:
• Demonstrate civility and courtesy in all interactions and communications, including those on the web and social media;
• Respect the dignity and honour of fellow Council members, muncipal employees and citizens.
The resident filed an official complaint under Bylaw 781. The clerk’s office acknowledged receipt but under Bylaw 781’s Section 15 —Control Mechanisms, disciplinary action — if any — will remain behind closed doors.
Sanctions start with a reprimand and range from participation in a professional development program on municipal ethics and good conduct at the Council member’s expense, to a fine or suspension.
But nowhere is there a mention of a simple apology.
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