Mississauga resident banned from complaining to anyone but the mayorPosted: 20 Jan 2012 09:24 AM PST
This ran in the Star……….. comments invited below
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion has issued a directive forbidding a former resident’s association president from contacting anyone at City Hall but the mayor with her concerns, which range from bylaw violations to the city’s 311 service.
"The last time I checked, we live in a democratic country," said an incredulous Jean Overell, whom McCallion described as having been disrespectful to city staff while filing her numerous complaints.
Overell appeared at Wednesday’s council meeting seeking an explanation as to why she has been cut off from speaking to her own councillor, or anyone but the mayor’s office. She was first informed about the arrangement in mid-November, by the mayor. When she made a call to McCallion in December to air a complaint, she said, McCallion "bullied and intimidated" her for calling.
McCallion later told the Star: "It’s not bullying. I took a very strong stand."
"The policy that I put in place will remain, that you will call the mayor’s office," McCallion stated, after Overell asked how such an action could be taken. The mayor had said earlier that Overell’s calls to city staff and her ward councillor, Pat Mullin, were "far too numerous," kept them from dealing with other work, and that Overell’s behaviour violated the city’s Respectful Workplace policy.
Overell has made many complaints over the years, mostly about bylaw violations by construction work in her neighbourhood, where infill development has exploded.
She acknowledged to the Star that she had been "irate" with 311 operators a couple of times for not following through on her calls, but said, "I am always respectful when dealing with staff" and her councillor.
Mullin later told the Star that it was the mayor’s decision to deal with Overell exclusively. She said the unfortunate situation is due in large part to tension over constant construction that residents are dealing with.
"Wards 1 and 2 have had major impacts because of infill near residential streets. You will get five, six trucks at a time — you’re talking about established neighbourhoods," Mullin said.
"We have tried to talk to developers about not building on Sundays, not parking on streets. Builders have to understand that you can’t parachute into communities without abiding by the bylaws. I sympathize with residents. There are some streets in my ward where every house has been rebuilt."
That includes Overell’s street, which Mullin acknowledged has been "invaded" by an "onslaught" of development.
As to the heavy-handed action of cutting Overell off, "I have left it with the mayor," Mullin said. "I don’t do that ordinarily."
The councillor declined to comment on Overell’s conduct, even when told that Overell had complained Mullin wasn’t doing her job properly.
During council Overell said, "We need respect, not bullying at city hall. Is it city policy that residents are routinely banned from speaking to city hall and city staff?"
McCallion replied, "I was offering you a sort of deluxe service, to contact me and not call councillors or staff."
Since Overell isn’t legally compelled to follow the mayor’s instruction, McCallion was asked what would happen if someone else is contacted about a complaint. "You will have to wait for that decision," the mayor replied.
http://www.thestar.com/news/mississauga/article/1117901–mississauga-resident-banned-from-complaining-to-anyone-but-the-mayor
