KENORA — Coun. Kelsie Van Belleghem is requesting a leave of absence saying she's faced harassment from the public that goes well beyond healthy criticism.
Nearly in tears, Councillor Van Belleghem put forward a request at the city committee of the whole meeting this week to take a leave for mental health reasons. She said members of the public have been harassing her, and she says it’s gone too far.
“It’s ok to be mad, it is not ok to be mean,” she said.
Van Belleghem told council that recently someone in the community had even posted the address of her parents’ house encouraging people to approach them over complaints about her council work. Van Belleghem said she works a full-time job, has a young family and nearly puts in full time hours with her work on council. She said verbal abuse happens to her every day.
Mayor Andrew Poirier echoed her statement, saying he faces this type of behaviour daily, too.
“I’ve been firing back,” he said. “We have had to have law enforcement intervene in some cases. It seems to be the norm to be doing this now.”
Most councillors were nodding their heads in agreement with these statements. Both Van Belleghem and Poirier agreed that conversing over things that people see need fixing or issues are welcomed. Acting mean, bullying and making unlawful statements do not push for change.
“Stop complaining and actually do something for the community to make it better,” he said.
Mayor and council welcome input and recommend members of the community to join committees to foster change, adding there are many ways to serve the area.
Poirier noted they are going to have an in-camera discussion and a formal motion on the matter will be presented at council next week, should it move forward.
