Christin Storms is seem in her store The Craft Witch (MBC photo)
Former Downtown Smiths Falls Business Association chair Christin Storms is now explaining what led her to resign after a June 9th meeting involving police and community partners.
Storms said she expected a planning and public-safety discussion for the July event. Instead, she said the meeting began with an OPP Biker Enforcement Unit presentation about one-per-cent motorcycle clubs.
Storms said the presentation included photographs of herself, her husband, friends and family. They discussed whether riders displaying motorcycle colours or patches should be allowed at Bike Night.
Storms said one photograph showed her standing in a crowd with a rider wearing a one-per-cent diamond. She said greeting and hugging riders was a normal way of thanking people for attending, not an endorsement of any organization.
Storms said she later learned concerns had been raised about her opposition to the proposed policy and her conduct during the discussion. She said she was described as inappropriate and accused of posturing.
She said the controversy emerged after years of volunteer work focused on attracting visitors and supporting local businesses throughout downtown Smiths Falls.
Storms described the meeting as an ambush and said concerns could have been addressed privately, and the invitation did not include an agenda or warn her about the enforcement presentation.
Storms said police and municipal departments had participated in a February planning session. She said no concerns about Bike Night were raised.
Smiths Falls Police denied forcing Storms to resign, saying officers have no authority to demand the resignation of a volunteer association member. Police said their responsibility is to develop public-safety plans for events.
Storms acknowledged that decisions about police staffing and enforcement belong to the service. She said organizers trusted officers to protect the community and understood the need to prepare for possible problems.
The DBA has said circumstances following the June meeting left Storms feeling she could not remain on its board, lead Bike Night and pursue a formal complaint at the same time. Details of that complaint have not been released.
Storms says her resignation should not be seen as a rejection of Bike Night, its riders, volunteers or community partners. She plans to attend the final event of the season on Sept. 2.
She said she has no ill will toward Bike Night or the people who have helped make it successful. Her concerns relate to the June meeting, the way she believes she was portrayed and what the experience could mean for future DBA volunteers.
Storms said she would like Bike Night to remain in downtown Smiths Falls. However, she believes conversations about working relationships and mutual respect are needed before plans for 2027 can be settled.
She also wants safeguards for future board members so they do not face a similar situation.
The final Bike Night of the 2026 season is scheduled for Sept. 2 on Beckwith Street. Smiths Falls Police have said officers plan to participate.
Listen to the complete conversation with Christin Storms below.
