The official Township headshot of former Rideau Lakes Councillor Joan Delaney - rideaulakes.ca
Former Rideau Lakes Councillor Joan Delaney penned a letter to taxpayers to further clarify her decision to resign.
Delaney previously spoke to myFM about her resignation, a day after she announced it.
In the March 20 edition of the Review-Mirror, Delaney expressed concerns about the current council, stating that “decorum is lacking” and citing instances of “bullying and belittlement” directed at council members, some members of the public, and former staff. She also noted that coarse language had been used in chambers and that tears had been shed over minor perceived slights.
She also took the time to address the infamous spitting allegation in 2023, when it was alleged a resident had spat at councillor Jeff Banks as they were leaving council chambers.
Delaney sat directly across from Banks and claims it never happened. She also noted the integrity commissioner didn’t see it occur in the video of the meeting.
Still, the resident was banned from all municipal properties for three months and her reputation was tarnished.
“Jeff used his fear of assault as his defence to the Integrity Commissioner,” Delaney wrote.
“Funny that I sat across from him and never worried about (an) attack from the public, just from some councillors.”
Delaney concluded by stating that she’s happy with her decision, and no longer wished to subject herself and her husband to “verbal abuse, mocking, and being scapegoated for others’ bad behaviour.”
Story by Grant Deme