Last night at Town Hall, Councillors discussed the Integrity Commissioners report regarding Mayor Chopp’s “sandwich” incident.
Earlier this year, Mayor Chopp handed a picture of a “shit sandwich” to Minister Steve Clark, causing quite a bit of controversy.
Despite the shock, as was discussed during the meeting, a few short weeks later Clark’s office did approve substantial funding for Simcoe’s Indwell project.
Councillor Ian Rabbitts explained that it’s disappointing the good news story was overshadowed by an image of a sandwich, pointing out that wasn’t how he felt the County should be represented.
Rabbitts continued, noting how Tuesday’s meeting started with Mayor Chopp offering a more formal apology for her haircut protest but wondered if the Mayor would be willing to offer up an apology for the “shit sandwich” incident – as he believes there has not been one issued to date.
Chopp and Rabbitts then got into a debate regarding the Indwell funding and the impact the sandwich and the meeting in general had with securing that money.
Chopp ended the back and forth with an apology but Rabbitts did not find it adequate.
Rabbitts was the most vocal during the debate on the report saying that he is looking to restore confidence in the county and worries what other is going on whenever delegates from the county are being sent to meet with top provincial and federal officials.
Rabbitts was not alone in his criticism.
Waterford Councillor Kim Huffman spoke out on the matter as well.
She followed this later by stating she has a right to do what is best for her constituents and that she has heard many ask for Chopp to resign or what would be needed for a Mayor to be forced out of office.
Columbus followed up Huffman’s statement.
When it came to Integrity Commissioner report, as we covered on Monday, it called on council to reprimand the Mayor.
The report cleared Mayor Chopp of wrong doing when it comes to the sandwich incident, saying it did not break any rules or the code of conduct, but she was in the wrong when she forwarded an email to CAO Jason Burgess regarding the investigation which contained confidential information.
For that, the report suggested she should face some form of consequence but Mayor Chopp did defend herself on that matter.
She says unlike previous emails, this one was sent directly to the Mayor of Norfolk’s email inbox which can be accessed by CAO Jason Burgess as well as other members of staff – meaning that she was not sharing information that the CAO did not already have access to.
For this reason, Councillor Chris Van Paassen recommended the report be received as information and that the Mayor review rules regarding privacy and confidentiality.
Van Paassen, for the most part, defended Chopp saying she has a unique style and that she has learned from recent incidents.
Tom Masschaele also weighed in on the matter, being one of the people in the room when image of the sandwich was handed over, saying it was bold but effective.
Ryan Taylor was supportive of the Mayor as well, responded to fellow Ward 5 councillor Rabbitts concerns about how the county is represented at conferences and meetings.
Deputy Mayor Amy Martin was chairing this debate so she provided little input in this role other than trying to keep the debate on track.
Roger Geysens did not speak on the matter.
In the end, the majority of council voted to approve Van Paassen’s motion.