Richmond Hill councillors vote to reprimand, dock pay of local councillor

Ward 2 Councillor Tom Muench breached Code of Conduct: Integrity Commissioner

Yorkregion.com
May 23, 2018
Kim Zarzour

Richmond Hill councillors voted unanimously May 22 to publicly reprimand Ward 2 Councillor Tom Muench and suspend his pay 30 days.

The decision goes before council for a final vote May 28.

It follows Integrity Commissioner Nigel Bellchamber’s investigation of several complaints.

Bellchamber found Muench in breach of the code for not treating a colleague in a respectful manner after he “spoke forcefully” to Ward 5 councillor Karen Cilevitz regarding her speaking at a Ward 2 event.

Muench was apparently concerned the Ward 5 councillor was accorded a higher profile than him.

Councillors have a statutory duty to represent the entire municipality, Bellchamber said. “Who’s to say that a member of council cannot venture into another Ward?”

Had Muench inquired, Bellchamber wrote, he would have discovered the event host invited Cilevitz.

A second complaint alleged Muench, in his newsletter, deliberately misled constituents about the actions of four colleagues.

Muench claimed Regional Councillors Vito Spatufora and Brenda Hogg, Mayor Dave Barrow and Councillor David West sponsored a motion ”to delay infrastructure investment.”

This was not true and qualifies as a conduct code breach, Bellchamber said.

Bellchamber recommended public reprimand for both violations.

A third investigation involved Muench’s former assistant and complaint of “abusive behavior …controlling, power tripping, talking down, yelling, swearing, threatening.”

Muench still had not taken online training dealing with workplace harassment, despite urging within the municipality, and treatment of his assistant violated the conduct code, Bellchamber said.

Bellchamber was also concerned funds raised at Muench’s community BBQ, for donation to the town, were diverted for an “inappropriate” use.

Financial records show 800 signs had been paid for with the funds. Muench’s assistant told Bellchamber the councillor ordered them, likely as election signs in 2018.

For his treatment of the assistant and alleged misrepresentation of payment for the signs, Bellchamber recommended the pay suspension.

After Tuesday’s committee meeting, Muench said he has always worked hard to “do right” by co-workers.

“I’m very sorry if I haven’t always succeeded in that goal. I would like to sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been offended by my words or actions as differences are based on policy and not intended to be personal.”