Stouffville mayor shut out of municipal offices after ethics probes

Justin Altmann's access card revoked as harsh penalties - including loss of six months' pay - imposed by council over his failure to apologize for "vexatious' CSI-style photo display in office washroom.

Thestar.com
March 7, 2018
By Noor Javed

He still holds the top job in Stouffville, but Mayor Justin Altmann can no longer talk to his staff except by email.

He can no longer go to his office during working hours except to collect mail, pay bills and attend council meetings.

And he will be docked six months' pay after his fellow councillors endorsed sanctions in two separate ethics complaints against him.

In a heated meeting that ended late Tuesday night, the town council voted 5-1 to endorse most of the integrity commissioner's recommendations from an investigation that found Altmann shared confidential in-camera information during a media interview, and another that found he contravened the town's code of conduct when he failed to apologize for a "vexatious" CSI-style photo display of staff he put up in his office washroom.

"We the council consider the protection of staff and public to be paramount," said Councillor Maurice Smith, after emerging from the portion of the meeting that was held in-camera. "Council is disappointed that the mayor failed to take responsibility for his actions."

While his supporters were enraged, booing and jeering throughout the meeting, others say the town council had no choice but to take a hard line.

"I couldn't foresee any other solution, especially after he refused to apologize for the wall," said Darlene Shaw, one of three women who were disturbed to find themselves on the washroom wall, and are asking for the release of a threat assessment done on the mayor last year in which he scored an 8 out of 10.

"I am relieved that council have taken steps to protect staff," she said, adding she doesn't think "we will ever see that threat assessment."

The penalties were implemented right away, Whitchurch-Stouffville town spokesman Glenn Jackson told the Star Wednesday.

"The sanctions are immediate with payroll adjustments commencing during the next payroll cycle," Jackson said. "His access card has been deactivated. We are still working out some logistical details about the emails."

The mayor's monthly pay is roughly $5,075 (the equivalent of a month of town pay and a month of car allowance.) He will lose approximately $30,000 in total.

Altmann did not reply to the Star's request for comment on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, he and his wife listened in as his colleagues voted, and hugged supporters once the meeting was over.

"I expected this is what they would do. And once again, natural justice and procedural fairness wasn't there. I couldn't defend myself," Altmann said after the meeting.

Since then, his supporters have taken to social media, with profile pictures saying "I support Mayor Altmann." A few dozen residents have also started a petition to support the mayor "for not being able to defend himself."

The mayor was given an opportunity during both integrity commissioner investigations to respond to the complaints, which he did.

In one private Facebook group, some residents considered setting up a GoFundMe page for the mayor, as was done months ago to help him pay recoup the cost of a replica chain of office he made for himself to wear around town. One resident said she opened up a bank account in Altmann and his wife's name.

Last week, integrity commissioner Suzanne Craig released her findings from the two separate code-of-conduct complaints.

The first investigation dealt with the mayor's disclosure of in-camera information during a radio interview. The second dealt with Altmann's refusal over a 90-day period to apologize to staff for the wall of pictures, despite the wishes of council.

Craig put forward remedial actions in her reports for council to consider, including barring the mayor from town offices, barring him from talking to municipal staff and docking him up to six months' pay - 90 days per complaint, the maximum penalty allowed under the Municipal Act.

"This is not a suggestion that the mayor not carry out his function, or not say hello … these recommendations are made to address concerns that your staff have brought forward to me," she said at the meeting.

Last year, Craig investigated the bizarre photo display in Altmann's office washroom that included pictures of staff, former politicians and members of the public, linked together with black lines and graphics.

Her report last September called the display "vexatious and disturbing" and concluded it constituted "workplace harassment."

At the time, council docked Altmann one month's pay and asked that he apologize to staff. But the mayor adamantly refused to do, citing errors in Craig's report.

The mayor reiterated this position on Tuesday and asked for a delay in proceedings so he could get his lawyer to respond. He asked if his wife could speak on his behalf, but his request was denied.

"It is time now the truth come out. My council will be my judges," the mayor said before declaring a conflict of interest and leaving the council meeting Tuesday.

Craig had strong words for council in her last deputation on Tuesday (she submitted her resignation to the town of Whitchurch-Stouffville last month), citing the impact Altmann's refusal to apologize has had on staff and the reputation of the town.

"The town council edict in which it requested that the mayor apologize to the complainant, who was a victim of workplace harassment, was to repair the damaged relationship between the mayor, staff and the town. However, the mayor's conduct in response to this imposed corrective action has instead further damaged the town," Craig said.

"I have no doubt that there are many here, including the mayor, who believe there is no need to apologize. I ask you then, why do we have rules?"

On Tuesday, Craig also talked about how staff who spoke up about the wall have suffered over the past few months.

"Some who have come forward have experienced subtle reprisals that prevent them from being fully productive in the workplace," she said. "Some say it continues even today."

Craig also took exception to the way the mayor has dealt with the findings from her initial investigation and how his behaviour has affected staff.

"Staff have viewed the mayor's behaviour and the manner in which he refused to apologize … as an indication that 'nothing has changed,' and they have therefore decided to put up with a toxic work environment while actively job-searching, and have resolved to leave once they have found new jobs.

"Individuals have stated to me that they 'were looking for a sincere apology' ... and 'sincerity on his part.'"

In her closing words to council, Craig said: "There are those who have no voice. You all have a voice.

"Who represents the voice of those who have been silenced?"