Clarington Digital Newspaper Collections

Orono Weekly Times, 22 Sep 2010, p. 5

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 5 Richards to sue municipality over freedom of speech issue While Jim Richards received three apologies at Monday night's council meeting, it was not enough to keep him from moving forward with legal action against the municipality. In a letter to council, Richards gave one last opportunity for Mayor Jim Abernethy, and Councillors Charlie Trim, Mary Novak , Gord Robinson and Ron Hooper to offer him a verbal public apology. The five council members were singled out as they did not support an earlier motion by Councillors Willie Woo and Adrian Foster requesting council apologize to Richards for stopping his deputation at the April 26th council meeting. In his deputation, Richards stated that in his opinion, Regional Chair Roger Anderson was a bully. For the second time in 2 years, Mayor Abernethy stopped Richards from speaking any further unless he withdrew the "Bully" comment. Richards refused, so Abernethy ended his delegation. As with the previous incident, Richards enlisted the assistance of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA). In Tyrone United Church Sunday School Group served coffee and fresh pie at the Church's Farmer's Market last Saturday. Pictured left to right are: Delaney Kelm with Tonka, Caitie Costello, Laura Rowan, Lori Kelm and Clare Snider. February 2009, The CCLA sent a letter to council stating they recognized the right of municipal councils to have ground rules for the exercise of debate, but citizens should not be sanctioned for merely criticizing the way official discharge their duties, or for the use of terms such as "bully." In July of this year, the CCLA sent council another letter, claiming that Clarington's Procedural By-Law prohibiting "disrespect" and "Offensive" words is too broad a restriction on individuals' speech, guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Nathalie Des Rosiers, General Counsel for the CCLA, requested the municipality give Richards an opportunity to complete his delegation and that the Procedural By-Law be amended to meet constitutional standards. Council voted to refer the CCLA letter to the municipal solicitor. Prior to the vote, Councillors Adrian Foster, Ron Hooper and Willie Woo, offered their public apology's to Richards., Foster said he thought it was ridiculous this matter has gone as far as it has. Richards is planning to sue the municipality for a public apology and damages. Advertise in the ORONO WEEKLY TIMES 905-983-5301 oronotimes@rogers.com

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