In an 鈥渆pic example of stupid airheadedness,鈥� Qualicum Beach Coun. Neil Horner has made a public apology for leaving a bag of dog poop on the town鈥檚 bylaw officer鈥檚 desk.
At Monday鈥檚 regular council meeting, Coun. Neil Horner made a 鈥渉eartfelt鈥� public apology to bylaw enforcement officer Don Marshall.
Horner said a few weeks ago, the town鈥檚 bylaw officer informed Horner that a member of his 鈥渋nner circle had been seen walking the family dog and not picking up the feces鈥� and added it wasn鈥檛 the first such report to the town.
Not wanting to embarrass the person, Horner said, he asked if it would be OK if he went and cleaned it up, which Horner said Marshall agreed to. Horner said he then went and cleaned it up and threw the bag on the back of his bike 鈥渁nd feeling quite pleased with myself, went for coffee.鈥�
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鈥淚 stopped myself before I did, however, thinking I would show Mr. Marshall the bag to show that I had indeed followed up with my pledge to clean it up,鈥� Horner told the council chamber Monday, adding it would be a 鈥渓ight-hearted little thing鈥� and give the two a little chuckle.
鈥淗owever, when I got to his desk, he wasn鈥檛 there and in an epic example of stupid airheadedness, I left the bag on his desk,鈥� Horner said. 鈥淲hat was I thinking? I don鈥檛 think I was.鈥�
Horner said he was in no way trying to upset anyone or make any kind of comment. He also said he was sincerely sorry about his actions and 鈥渜uite sick about this.鈥�
Marshall referred comment to his representative with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
鈥淭his was investigated under the Town of Qualicum Beach bullying and harassment policy, and it was supposed to remain confidential,鈥� said Laurence Amy of CUPE chapter 401. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to jeopardize the confidentiality of the investigation.鈥�
In an inquiry to the town, CAO Daniel Sailland sent The NEWS the town鈥檚 policy on anti-bullying and harassment. The policy applies to all current employees of the town, the fire department, full- and part-time employees, casual, volunteer, contract, permanent and temporary employees. The policy doesn鈥檛 state that it applies to elected officials such as a councillor.
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