A citizen's code of conduct complaint against three Sarnia councillors has been dismissed by the city's integrity commissioner.
Margaret Bird accused councillors Andy Bruziewicz, Cindy Scholten and Bev MacDougall of disrespectful behaviour during and after her presentation at a budget input session November 14.
MacDougall issued a public apology after her post-adjournment comments were captured on videotape, saying she spoke out of frustration because Bird used the opportunity to talk about city hall's workplace harassment issues.
MacDougall was heard to say in part "Who the hell does she think she is?, I think I'm going home for a drink after that, Christ Almighty."
Commissioner Robert Swayze dismissed Bird's complaints just two days later, characterizing her presentation as "inflammatory and confrontational." He says it was inappropriate for her to reference the workplace harassment report against the mayor and he, as chair of the meeting, should have declared a conflict.
Swayze says MacDougall's comments were made off the record after the meeting, and the video technician was at fault for not stopping the recording.
Bird says she's disappointed by the ruling.
"In the face of all of these things where we have the proof, on video and on sound, it's all being ignored and they can all just float on," says Bird. "What's good for the goose is good for the gander, so if they can punish the mayor like this for something seemingly so insignificant compared to what they're doing, they should not be let off the hook."
Bird says she isn't sure where she'll go from here but says she isn't giving up the fight.
She says all of city council should be dismissed and the slate wiped clean.
