Tay Valley Township Media Release - Tay Valley Township Defends Staff from Attacks

Tay Valley Township Defends Staff from Attacks

Tay Valley Township is currently dealing with a very unfortunate situation involving malicious attacks on staff and Council by various individuals in our community.  These people have chosen to use the internet to spread false accusations as well as resorting to verbal insults and other attacks via printed material.  Their baseless claims against the Township are highly personal, directed at several named employees and members of Council, and go as far as calling for specific staff to be fired.

“The municipal staff at Tay Valley Township strive each workday to serve the citizens of Tay Valley and the public interest, with professionalism and decency,” said Rob Rainer, the outgoing Reeve of the Township. “Nonetheless, some of our staff have been subject to what can only be described as an organized campaign of vicious criticism and harassment, some of it online, some of it verbal such as over the phone, and some of it in hard-copy documentation. The Township will not tolerate such behaviour and will take the action we deem necessary to help ensure a safe workplace for our staff.”

Rainer referenced a website created by perpetrators of certain malicious attempts to disrupt the Township, which he says contains a number of statements the Township views as defamatory.  The website falsely accuses staff of lying, election tampering and more.

Municipalities cannot bring lawsuits against members of the public for defamation of staff.  However, Rainer says, other options are being considered to address the Township’s concerns.

“Tay Valley Township welcomes comments, questions, and suggestions from the public which are respectful of our staff, and also of Council,” said Rainer. “However, when communication crosses into malicious and defamatory territory, we will take all steps necessary and appropriate to defend our staff.”