GFW councillor Rodney Mercer wants public apology from mayor
A councillor in Grand Falls-Windsor has demanded a public apology from Mayor Al Hawkins after an incident occurred Tuesday night at the monthly meeting of the town's finance and administration committee.
Coun. Rodney Mercer, who had been on a brief leave of absence, was the committee chair.
When Mercer rose to deliver the finance report — Hawkins asked him to take his seat.
"I was absolutely flabbergasted," he said.
Mercer had taken a three-week leave of absence from his position to campaign for the Liberal nomination in the provincial electoral district of Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans. Mercer lost that nomination to Hawkins.
"The mayor, in my absence, not only replaced me with somebody on an acting interim basis, but he had me replaced permanently, without even having the decency to let me know even through an email or a text message," said Mercer.
"As a result I want the mayor to publicly apologize. It'll be interesting to see if I get it. I don't really think there's anything malicious on the mayor's behalf, or council's behalf, but there's obviously a major communication gap."
Hawkins said Coun. Tom Pinsent would remain as finance chair until September, when all council committees will undergo a shake-up.
Feels 'publicly embarrassed'
Mercer told CBC Radio's Central Morning that the mayor's behaviour seemed punitive and orchestrated.
"It comes across, certainly to me, as a punitive action. The way that the mayor publicly embarrassed me in a council chamber was uncalled for," he said.
"We've got a great group at council, and I think we work well together. Up until now we communicated well together. But from the outside looking in, it definitely tarnishes the reputation and image of council."
Mercer said if the mayor made a decision to replace him with another councillor, and make it a permanent action, he has no issues with it.
"But I do have issue with the procedure," he said.
"He [Hawkins] informed Coun. Pinsent several weeks ago that he would be the permanent chair, and that he would have a chat with me and tell me why. But to date, he hasn't even spoken to me about the issue."
Hawkins declined an interview with CBC, but said it was a lack of communication on his part that led to Mercer's amazement on Tuesday night and there was nothing vindictive at play.
