Huntsville Councillor Brian Thompson is in hot water over a text message he sent Grant Nickalls, a director at Hunters Bay Radio (HBR), “containing a vulgar comment” about the station’s managing director Jeff Carter, according to a report compiled by the municipality’s integrity commissioner.
“We should chat soon before HBR becomes the mouthpiece of TW [Councillor Tim Withey],” begins the text attached to the report by integrity commissioner Robert Swayze, and included in the agenda package for Huntsville Council’s upcoming December 17 meeting.
“Jeff would likely blow TW just to be part of the ongoing tempest in a teapot!!!” adds Thompson in his text. According to Withey, Thompson’s text was in relation to Withey’s opposition to building two “brand new” hospitals in Muskoka.
Carter launched a complaint about the text and following an investigation Swayze concluded that Thompson’s text, which he said contained “profane and guttural language,” is in contravention of the Council Code of Conduct. Swayze also noted that the Code urges councillors to treat members of the public with dignity, understanding, and respect.
A screenshot of the text sent by Thompson is included in the integrity commissioner’s report.
“Thompson has failed to treat a member of the public with ‘dignity, understanding and respect’. In addition, he has failed to recognize that he represents a government in all of his dealings with the public and his action reflects badly on public confidence which he should be promoting. I find that Councillor Thompson has contravened the Code,” added Swayze.
As required, Swayze noted that he had served a copy of the complaint to Thompson and requested a response within 14 days.
“His response was apologetic to the complainant, to members of Council and staff. He acknowledged that the text was misguided and a mistake on his part. I have decided to recommend only a reprimand because it is a first offence and this report must be made public as required by the Municipal Act. It is hoped that Councillor Thompson will be aware that a repeat offence will have more serious consequences,” added Swayze.
His report will be brought before Council at its regular evening meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2019. You can find Swayze’s report here.
Clarification: An earlier version of this story suggested that Councillor Brian Thompson’s text message may have been referencing Councillor Tim Withey’s vocal opposition to appointing a replacement for former Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison, rather than holding a byelection. After publication, Withey contacted Huntsville Doppler to say that Thompson’s text was in relation to Withey’s opposition to building two “brand new” hospitals in Muskoka.
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I think my brother who was also a friend of both Brian Thompson and Bruce Markle would be on the other side and be telling Mr. Thompson he did a very stupid thing and should leave. But hes not here to ask, but i dont think he would like the things going on very well.
Closing down the free-speech rights of conservatives is something to which the radical leftists all seem to be committed. When radicals gain control of the levers of power, the next step they take is actual persecution. (Fortunately for us, before that happens, they often turn on each other and abort their ambitions through infighting.) Persecuting others for their opinions is something that totalitarians always do (think Chinese Communists persecuting Hong Kong’s protesters, Nazis persecuting their own citizens, Iranian Shiites Mullahs persecuting and murdering thousands of protesters). I doubt that you want to identify with people like that, John.
While it was likely impolitic of Brian to text something like that, it was NOT a crime. Gutter language has been around for a very long time in the private speech of men (and this WAS a private communication). What was Grant Nickalls’ purpose in releasing the text? Was Nickalls not free to rebuke Thompson personally? This situation is filled with ridiculous hyper-sensitivity. Trying to force a resignation on Brian Thompson out of it, is a denial of his civil right to speak his private opinion without fear of a reprisal. Are we going to penalize others for “thought crimes” next? If the majority of those in Thompson’s ward are put off by his language, they are free to vote against him at the next municipal election. Until then, he is an elected official. According to many, Thompson is a valuable part of council. Insisting on “group think” is dangerous to our liberties.
Spoken like a true right wing businessman
Defending the councillor or defending the “rule of law”? You seem to be drawing way to much into all of this. Pegging Conservatives as “backward thinking , prejudicial bigots” is generally a myth which has been perpetuated by the left who are insecure with the threat that Conservatives pose to the current status quo. Stating such falsehoods is as about as ridiculous as stating that John Langille and everyone who knocks the Conservatives are “idiots”. Is either supposition true?
How embarrassing to see anyone defend this councillor! Proves there is still a great deal of bigotry in our town. Sure doesn’t take much to see the backward thinking conservatives rear their prejudiced heads!
You said it correctly Bookie
My thoughts exactly.
You certainly know how to minimize on behalf of a friend Booky!
I find it embarrassing that council is not considering a motion to kick Brian out of his position. He is a public servant and obviously did not know better. He has failed his constituents. This ethics person or whatever they are is lenient to the point of hypocrisy. Why allow a blaring double standard?
Jim, yes we all misspeak sometimes. But what Brian did here went well beyond simply misspeaking. He attempted to shut down a fellow councilor’s access to an important media channel in our community, over what is reportedly disagreement on the most critical matter our community is likely to face for decades … the future of our hospital and what it will cost us. He did it using highly inappropriate, profane language, insulting both Tim and Jeff (HBR’s president) in the process.
Brian has stated his support of MAHC’s two brand-new hospital plan, but dismisses those who disagree with him, like Tim does, as part of “the ongoing tempest in a tea pot”. This is also disrespectful of many in the community who have a differing view from his, and demonstrates poor judgement by not being open to these different perspectives on this most critical matter. His action is also a breach of his accountability to treat the public with understanding and respect.
Our town deserves far better than this from our elected representatives.
Brian;
Having had the pleasure of knowing you all my life, I have a couple of thoughts I would like to share. You are no doubt a naughty, naughty boy for suggesting anyone would waste breath (blow) just to curry favour with a politician (ptew), You know my thoughts on politicians (ptew). This situation over a “private” e-mail brings to my mind a couple of nautical sayings that have been around longer than me. The first one has to do with sharks and blood, and from the comments I have read, with the exception of Mr. Sinclair the smell of blood is there and they are circling. The other is about a ship in distress and the inhabitants scrambling for their own political lives. For one to compare a private e-mail message to a sex deviant is just a reminder that in todays liberal thinking world a man laying down with another man is ok, but dooooon;t you dare suggest IN A PRIVATE E-MAIL, (Hmmm, just how did that e-mail become so public) one man might blow another to curry favour. That is just toooooo much.
Whatever you decide Brian I for one, and I know that won’t count for much, will always respect you for the person you are and the life you have lead giving back to Huntsville over the years. Isabelle and Carl would have wanted me to say as much.
Your friend, Booky
Who’s gonna take over this mess?. So many unfortunate events in a short period of time. A heated debate on the election of a new mayor ended with a decision of the councillors. A similar heated debate on the attempt to change the zoning of an island ending with the annulment of a decision. An even greater debate on the regulation of short term rentals was concluded after many changes by decision of the councillors. And now this shocking piece of information to every inhabitant of Huntsville…I’m asking you, what else is going to happen?
If this was a private email, we should all be very careful about what we text our friends.
Tony Clement also was, and still is, a “gem of a man who gets things done” but he did the right thing – so should Brian.
Any honorable public servant would resign!
A reprimand is in order here as stated by the Integrity Commissioner, I agree! It’s done, said and over. Anyone calling for Councillor Thompson to resign doesn’t know how valuable he is on Council. He is a gem of a man who gets things done.
Everyone misspeaks once in a while. don’t blow it all out of proportion!
Looks like the only ‘tempest in a teapot’ is the one you have just created Brian, with your very inappropriate comment, so unworthy of a town council member. Somehow, I really don’t think an apology will fix this so maybe moving on is the right thing to consider?
Agreed, he should resign.
What an embarrassment to our town. Thompson should do the right thing now… resign.