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Presenter barred from speakng at council Monday

A longtime self-professed watchdog of everything municipal is being temporarily barred from speaking in council chambers.
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FILE -- Henry Wojak, kicked out of city hall last Monday after using profanity and making an obscene gesture when told his deputation surpassed time limits, has learned his planned Monday deputation on the city’s budget direction talks will not be on the agenda. (tbnewswatch.com)

A longtime self-professed watchdog of everything municipal is being temporarily barred from speaking in council chambers.

Henry Wojak, kicked out of city hall last Monday after using profanity and making an obscene gesture when told his deputation had surpassed council-set time limits, on Friday learned his planned Monday deputation on the city’s budget direction talks will not be placed on the agenda.

“Is city administration thwarting free speech in a democracy, or is this a police state,” Wojak said in an email to Mayor Keith Hobbs obtained by tbnewswatch.com. “Will I be allowed to speak?”

Hobbs, in an email response to Wojak, said the decision to deny his deputation is one made collectively by council, administration and the city clerk’s office.

“You have made several deputations in the past and done so in a professional manner. If you can demonstrate to us that you can correct your behavior, then I am sure you will be welcome to continue to have your voice heard in a public venue once again,” Hobbs said. 

Deputy city clerk Marcy Vallelunga on Friday told Thunder Bay Television that Wojak hasn’t been banned from attending city council meetings, and is more than welcome to sit in the audience. On Wednesday city clerk John Hannam sent Wojak a letter, outlining certain sections of the procedural rules governing deputations at committee of the whole.

Wojak, who ran for council in 2010, seeking election in the Neebing Ward, suggested his poor attitude was after the fact.

“I even thanked council when my microphone was turned off,” Wojak said, in response to Hobbs telling him he’d been given ample time to complete his deputation and that he knows full well council’s procedures and policies.

“Your attitude was confrontational and your profanity and gesture have no place in council chambers,” Hobbs said. “Coun. (Trevor) Giertuga was very patient with you, but you continued to ignore his direction.

“I think that an apology to the chair would be a great start in the process of rectifying this issue.”

Wojak said he is willing to apologize, but with one condition.

"When councillor Giertuga apologizes for shutting off my microphone, I will admit my actions were inappropriate," he said, adding this should be a lesson to all and city hall should be opened for business.

Coun. Larry Hebert said Wojak brought it all upon himself.

"He broke the rules and should suffer the consequences. As much as I respect the democratic process  which he fully participates in, we can not allow the kind of behaviour he exhibited Monday night. Do we allow guns and bows in next?" Hebert said.

Hobbs earlier told Wojak it appeared he had no intention of wrapping up his deputation, when told by Giertuga he had a minute left of his 10-minute allotment.

“You became argumentative and your microphone was shut off. I definitely heard you direct abusive language towards the chair and Coun. (Iain) Angus called you on it,” Hobbs aid.

“When asked to leave council chambers it was apparent to me you would not be doing so of your own accord, so the chair directed deputy (police) chief (Andy) Hay to escort you from chambers.”

Hobbs went on to say that through legislation, the city clerk’s office could seek a more permanent ban under the Trespass the Property Act, adding it’s not a move the city has yet undertaken.

A closed-door session of council may be called to deal with the matter. No decision has been made on how long Wojak will be barred from speaking at council.

 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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