February 1, 2012
Report to remain
under wraps
by Terry Myers
Details of a mediator's report into harassment complaints in the
townships of Head, Clara & Maria will remain confidential for now.
But townships Reeve Tammy Stewart said Monday that results of the
investigation will be released in some form in the coming weeks.
“It may take some time because there is still some work to be done
(but) I can guarantee you, because people have a right to know, there
will be a report from council,” she said.
Townships council agreed in December to hire the Delfi Group from
Petawawa to review and report on a number of harassment complaints
filed by township clerk Melinda Reith against the entire council, Reeve
Stewart, and two local ratepayers.
Reith maintained in her complaint that council, during its meeting of
October 7, 2011, was guilty of failing to “provide and maintain a
working environment that is based on the dignity and rights of everyone
in the municipality.”
Her complaint also said council failed to provide “a healthy and safe
work environment that is free of any form of harassment or violence.”
Her complaint was filed under the townships' “Municipal Policy on
Harassment and Workplace Violence.”
Following the complaints, council agreed in a split vote to publish an
ad in the NRT stating that it “regrets any hardship” it may have caused
Reith.
Council met in closed session with the mediator from the Delfi Group
last Thursday.
Stewart said council will hold another meeting with the mediator on
February 17.
A public statement or report will be prepared following the second
meeting.
“Hopefully we'll be able to answer everyone's questions without going
too much into confidentiality,” the reeve said.
“We didn't get into this situation in a day, so it will take some time.
“What I can say is that council is taking this very seriously and we
plan to move forward in a positive, united front.”
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