Red Bull gives you wings- but in Arnprior, news stories grow legs.
The opening salvo of Town Council’s ZOOM meeting Monday was a presentation by Integrity Commissioner William Hunter, recommending Councillor Lisa McGee be docked a month’s pay for comments she made on social media which he deemed had portrayed Mayor Walter Stack in a negative light.
It was an argument that began in the context of how efforts should proceed to combat racial injustice in the community.
The commissioner says once you hit share, it’s out there.
Hunter maintains the financial sanction was warranted.
Councillor McGee made a statement in reply.
McGee says she accepts the slap on the wrist, but will maintain positions of advocacy where she deems it warranted.
Councillor Lynn Grinstead suggested McGee not take the financial hit recommended.
Representative Tom Burnett also opposed the month’s pay penalty- and when it came time to vote, it was unanimous.
For the first time in over two months at Arnprior Council, the squabble over semantics was for once resolved- without once mentioning the word systemic.
Should representatives so choose, the opportunity to abandon finger-pointing and confront racial injustice may broaden horizons within the community.
