Nobleton Councillor Peter Grandilli, resident brawl at restaurant
YorkRegion.com
July, 21, 2014
Tim Kelly
Editor's note: This story contains language some readers might find offensive.
Swearing, punching and biting were on the menu at a Nobleton eatery July 11, as an elected official and fellow senior had at it.
A fight between Nobleton Councillor Peter Grandilli and local man Norman Mills left Mills, 68, with a ravaged arm and Grandilli, 67, a bloody nose and black eye.
Police charged Mills with assault causing bodily harm.
The combatants met by chance at Il Giardino Toscano, where both had decided to have dinner.
A long-standing issue involving Mills’ desire to have council clear the way to sever half the lot on his Hill Farm Road property sparked the flame for the conflagration between the pair.
Mills approached Grandilli to discuss his issue and said Grandilli repeatedly called him, “a piece of shit”.
“I’m afraid I lost it,” Mills said. “I did punch him first. Next thing I know, he’s hanging on my arm. I didn’t realize a human bite is more dangerous than a dog bite.”
Mills went to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket with police, received tetanus shots and was tested for Hepatitis B, he said.
He was later charged.
He’s eager to discuss his issues and plans to vigorously defend himself when he appears in Newmarket court, he said.
His first appearance is July 30.
Grandilli was tight-lipped about the events, though he appeared banged up when seen at public meetings Monday evening.
“That’s what happens when you go for the wrong team,” he said, when asked Monday what caused his injuries.
“I can’t really talk about it because it’s under police investigation,” he said when reached for comment today. “I don’t want to say anything.
“There was some altercation; there were words exchanged. I was insulted by a person, somebody hit me. I didn’t see the guy that hit me.”
He went to the hospital following the altercation.
“Everything’s fine,” he said. “(I’m) a bit confused at what transpired.”
It was the first time in his life he was attacked and punched, he said.
