Tay Valley Township is publicly pushing back after what it describes as a growing campaign of personal attacks aimed at municipal staff and council.
Outgoing Reeve Rob Rainer says the township still welcomes questions, criticism and disagreement from residents, but council believes some recent behaviour has moved well beyond normal political debate.
Rainer said the problem has been building for more than a year through online posts, phone calls and printed material. He said the incident that finally prompted the township’s public response happened during Saturday’s Maberly Fair, where an anonymous two-page flyer was placed on vehicle windshields.
The township says two employees were identified by name in the material and that several statements were false and defamatory.
Rainer said criticism itself is not the problem.
Rainer said council’s statement is not intended to silence residents or discourage scrutiny of municipal decisions. Instead, he said the township felt it had reached a point where it had to speak publicly.
Asked whether doing so could add more attention to the dispute, Rainer acknowledged that possibility.
The municipality is considering what steps may be available if the conduct continues.
The concern has also moved beyond reputational damage.
Rainer stressed that Tay Valley has not received threats of violence. He said council also has responsibilities as an employer when it comes to workplace harassment and maintaining a healthy environment.
The Reeve said the goal is not agreement on every issue, but a workplace where employees can do their jobs without fear.
Rainer also addressed a website called Tay Valley Township Accountability.
Rainer said the website contains serious accusations against staff, including claims involving dishonesty and election tampering. He said people making such allegations should identify themselves publicly and be prepared to stand behind what they publish.
The dispute comes as Tay Valley heads toward the Oct. 26 municipal election. Rainer has announced he will not seek re-election.
For residents, the controversy raises a broader question about where heated public debate ends and harassment begins.
Tay Valley says criticism of policies, decisions and elected officials remains part of local democracy, but personally targeting municipal employees crosses that line.
You can listen to Bob Perreault’s full interview with Rainer below.
