Integrity commissioner blasts Stouffville mayor's behaviour
Report recommends Justin Altmann be docked pay, make public apology for mind map

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 22, 2017
By Simon Martin

Integrity commissioner Suzanne Craig has recommended Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Justin Altmann be docked 30-days pay and make a public apology for the creation of his mind map wall in a scathing report that pulls no punches.

Craig found Altmann's actions were workplace harassment. "The respondent's (Altmann) conduct in developing the wall created and contributed to an intimidating work environment for the complainant and other employees," her report said.

According to the report, Altmann is alleged to have said that he wanted an employee's "head on a platter." It was after this interaction in February that several employees saw the wall.

A complaint filed on March 14, 2017 to the Office of the Integrity Commissioner accused Altmann of harassment and discreditable conduct. The complainant said they had been approached by co-workers who had stumbled upon something "very evil" in the mayor's bathroom.

During the investigation, Craig heard from those she interviewed that Altmann was "going off all the time," "has fits of anger," "rants and raves," and "always takes things personally."

The report also describes an alleged incident from the mayor's much-publicized wedding. Fire services employees were asked by Altmann to attend his 2016 wedding and provide an honour guard. When Altmann was informed by a staff member that this was not part of the duties of fire services, he became very angry and perceived the refusal to be a personal snub, the report says.

Other issues related to the mayor's apparent concerns for his safety.

Altmann is alleged to have said signs identifying the location of the mayor's office were a safety issue for the mayor and his staff; when staff refused to remove the signs, Altmann is said to have removed the signs himself. He is also alleged to have repeatedly repositioned a video surveillance camera that monitored the entrance door to his office.

Altmann is said to have justified these actions as necessary for his safety.

An investigator hired by the integrity commissioner learned that the police were investigating complaints made by town staff about threats to their personal safety. Craig said she believed that some of the allegations involving threats were of a "criminal nature".