Why do politicians misbehave?

I'm sure all you city-hall watchers out there have heard about the allegations against Terry Whitehead this week. Now it's up to council to decide whether the incoming integrity commissioner should investigate Whitehead's conduct towards his former staffer.

In this morning's Spectator, we try to unpack why council members cross the line. Read the full article here.

So, here's where I open it up to you: why do you think council members get in trouble? Is it because they're constantly under a microscope? Or is it because the job attracts a certain personality type?

DISCLAIMER: Let's keep our comments respectful here, folks. The point of this post is to talk about why there have been complaints against more than a third of council, not to make personal attacks. And remember, I won't publish anything libelous.

Comments

[Robert S]

It is probably a little of both, but more than likely about personalities. I was troubled to watch his current assistant give an interview on CHCH last night. It not only seemed a little inappropriate but also a little rehearsed and, frankly, convenient. Her remarks were bordering on disparaging towards her colleagues. Does the City not have a protocol for staff talking to the media? How was this bypassed and by whom?

[Tom Robertson]

If you check the work history of this current Council you will find most have been living off the public trough with jobs such as advisers or assistants to other politicians or have worked in other various public sector jobs or jobs with a small work fork force. Not many have experience in the private sector involving a large work force. The operation of the City should be considered as working for a large business entity and Councilors get over their head in dealing with it. It's time we elect a council with a strong business background like we had in the past and the City was booming.

[Jeff S]

Personality type? Absolutely! Constituents want someone to go to bat for them to fight for their issues but that mentality might sometimes push them a little too far. Maybe it's because council members don't have that PR person sitting right beside them? I think it's fair to understand that politics may not bring out the best in everyone but being in the public eye commands some self-restraint once in a while (i.e. Bob Bratina throwing a pen). If threw a pen in a board meeting, I would certainly expect far serious repercussions than what Mr. Bratina received (insert sarcasm here).

[Michelle Hruschka]

Wokrplace bullying is a very serious Health and safety issue. Currently there is no law that covers this type of behaviour for the average worker working in private sector. tao be specific to the language of the Human Rights Code.

It is disturbing that this particular article makes excuses for this type of behaviour. It is unfair and immoral.

[Derek G]

Why do people assume guilt, even without knowing the allegations? This is true of some of the above comments, and even the tone of the article ("Why do politicians misbehave?"). We should not pre-judge whether Mr Whitehead is guilty of "this type of behavior", particularly when the allegations are not even known.If you or one of your loved ones were facing allegations of any type, you would expect that part of democracy is the presumption of innocence, and that you would be entitled to it.
I saw the workplace on the news article, and given its structural openness,cubicles where everyone can hear anything, if Mr Whitehead were a bully, one would expect that it would have been widely known by now, given he has been in office for six years.Since he was executive assistant for the mayor, Solicitor General of Ontario, and the deputy Prime Minister prior to that, I guess you are suggesting that all those people either condoned, or were so obtuse as to be oblivious to, Mr Whitehead's behavior.
The current assistant's comments, Robert S., seemed sincere. Was she notified in advance of CH coming down? That is not their practice. On the other hand, the person making the allegations has had months to "rehearse".
And to say it was "inappropriate" suggests that someone can make allegations, while hiding behind a cloak of secrecy, their name not even being published, but no one is allowed to defend them.Fascism is alive and well if this is the case.
Democracy dies along with the presumption of innocence.

.

[WRCU2]

At council not unlike in a city hall blog
There's scant room for critics on the job

TheSpec exclusive mentions that 68 hopefuls
"vied" for the "integrity czar position."
I know of one other name besides
Earl Basse who applied, but
it seems that Hamiltonians
don't qualify for high pro-
file positions in Hamilton.

"Where did you get the name?" asked Chapman.

Of the 68 applicants I wonder how many
true blue Hamiltonians like Cal Difalco
were glossed over.

Chapman said, "There are some things that are public and some things that are private, and this is something that was discussed in camera."

Perhaps it is time to throw
The in camera out the window
Cal appears tallest in shadow
To become our new mayor anyhow

I hope Cal doesn't apply to be the In Commish in Windsor
when Mr. Basse comes to Hamilton to yank yet another
six figure salary out of our local economy.

[Tom Robertson]

Derek sounds like a spin doctor, maybe someone who is on Mr. Whitehead's staff. But he does make my point about our politicians never having real jobs in the private sector

[Michelle Hruschka]

The city has a policy of non violence, but that goes on deaf ears, when it is one of their own.

I was bullied at a forum by a city staffer, this person even threatened to call the police. Too bad this person who works for the city did not know what their own staff was telling the public. But as usual, this person has now gotten a promotion, so that they can continue on their path of incompetence and vile attitude.

Oh and by the way the city's policy does nothing for temp workers either that work for either the city or it sub contractors. Who cares about the temp worker, when faced with bullying? My experience with a particular sub contractor was horrible to say the least. Not only, that the temp company refused to give me my ROE and caused much hardship for many, many months.

My question is: Why should I have been the one to suffer, yet the bully got nothing? Clear lack of policy and protection for those working in precarious work and for those in the public who dare to stand up for those who struggle.

I know here is an answer, start doing what Ontario Works does, send them, the bullies a cut off letter. No pay cheque, make them prove that actually deserve to have the pay cheque, just as they do for those that struggle. Maybe then, they will start to get the hint!

[kk55]

i work at the city hall renovation not that it matters , but these councilors we now have bleeding us dry with tax increases are nothing more than ego boosters for themselves.
if you saw what is going inside the reno you would hang the lot .
the only original thing left in the building are the ugliest wall tiles you'll ever see,and of course the murals just as ugly. everthing else has been ripped to the i beams .
digusting waste of taxpayers money and its still too small for employees ,but you should see the councilors rooms and chamber top notch.
they say their ahead with constuction not even close, and it will be overbudget when finished.
time to vote these empty heads out.
cant wait to see the blister price tag

[Mark-Alan Whittle]

There is no excuse for this kind of behaviour, I also saw the city staff's comments on CHCH news trying to deflect the blame on to the alleged victim.

City Hall decorum and respect seems to have reached a new low. One would think that the accused would have been informed, in writing, of the allegations put forward before it was presented to the media and sensationalized.

When your only career is politics, these kinds of allegations could be the end of it, thats for sure, and will follow this person wherever they may go in the future.

No doubt the accused has consulted a lawyer and will fight back vigorously to protect their only asset (political career) if there's no substance to it and the complaint turns out to be vexatious and without merit.

What a sad state of affairs and indicative of the malaise infecting City Hall politics like a cancer. The only way to completely remove it is at the ballot box.

[Michelle Hruschka]

Mark Alan: I do not advocate workplace bullying but if what you are saying is true, that Mr Whitehead was not given information of the alleged complaint, before it hit the presses, then that is truly unfair and unreasonable conduct.

[Tom Robertson]

If I'm not mistaken this was a subject at an in camera meeting of Council before it hit the press. The allegation and the leaks to the press are two more issues for our new Integrity Commissioner to spend thousands to investigate with Council taking no action on his report

[Frank]

WRCU2 is right. Difalco - De Caire These 2 men can change the city. Run for Mayor Cal!!!!

Frank