A city councillor in St. John’s is accusing a colleague who has been disciplined for violating the Code of Conduct of continuing to break the rules during his suspension.
Tom Davis, who represents Ward 4, was suspended with pay for one month after an investigation found comments he made created a “poisoned” work environment.
The comments piggybacked on a podcast, but Councillor Lynn Hammond says the program promotes the idea that women should stay at home with their children and not work, and that not doing so increases instances of mental disorders.
On VOCM Open Line this morning with host Brian Callahan, Coun. Hammond said the issue and the hurtful comments go well beyond a single issue such as the podcast.
She says Coun. Davis did not follow the restrictions on the investigator’s report that all of council was required to follow.
Tom Davis speaking with reporters (VOCM News)
“He ignored the legal direction that we all received to keep the report confidential,” says Hammond.
“Women – not just women, but others as well – but people do not report inappropriate workplace activities for the fear of retribution. That’s why it was supposed to be confidential.”)
Davis will be back in his chair at the July meeting of council in a couple of weeks, but Hammond says the issues go deep.
“Nobody is talking about the fact that we have a city councillor, who was able over a period of time, for multiple incidents, to get away with his behaviour unchecked. When he was checked and we went through the formal process, he did not follow the rules,” says Coun. Hammond.
