Upset Drayton residents left unsatisfied late Tuesday night after Mapleton council decided to support a staff decision to terminate a popular crossing guard.
About two dozen people were at the meeting to support Michelle Choma, who was fired early last week after a confrontation with an alleged aggressive driver.
Neither Choma nor the other residents were afforded a chance to speak at the meeting, but the 34-year-old, known by many simply as “Mitch,” hinted the matter may not be over yet, despite council’s decision.
“Now I guess I get a hold of a lawyer,” Choma said on Wednesday morning. “I’m going to call the labour board today.”
Councillor Mike Downey confirmed that council supported the Jan. 31 decision of Chief Administrative Officer Patty Sinnamon, but stressed he could not comment on specifics.
“They did their due diligence,” Downey said of staff.
The meeting on Tuesday night compounded the frustration of Choma, who wanted to address council and staff with a statement she said was not inflammatory in any way.
“I wish they would have just let me speak … I think it was a good speech I prepared,” she said.
Several residents loudly voiced their concerns at Tuesday night’s meeting, despite repeated assertions from Mayor Bruce Whale that council could not discuss personnel matters in a public meeting.
“We cannot create a forum to discuss this,” Whale said, noting he understands the concerns of those in attendance. “We’re not trying to be difficult, but there are certain procedures we have to follow.”
At one point councillor Andy Knetsch suggested just one person from the large group be allowed to speak, but that idea was shot down by Whale.
“That suggestion was out of order,” the mayor said.
One lady repeatedly lambasted council for the way the township handled the firing of Choma, which prompted Whale to say council would discuss the matter in a closed session later that night and would inform residents if there was anything new to report from that in-camera session.
Council called the few remaining residents back into the council chamber at around 11pm to announce it was upholding Sinnamon’s decision to fire Choma.
Her termination has caused a stir of controversy among parents of local students and other members of the community, with most very vocal in their support of Choma, who questions why she was fired in the first place.
“This is so stupid – surely there’s more important things for the township to worry about,” Choma said in an interview on Monday, exactly one week after she was fired by Sinnamon.
“There’s a lot of people that are ticked off … It’s kind of nice having the whole community backing me.”
According to Choma, an alleged impatient driver started shaking his head and revving his engine while students were crossing the road on the morning of Jan. 20.
Then, the male driver spun his tires and entered the parking lot at nearby Drayton Heights Public School in the wrong direction, almost striking at least one child, as well as herself, Choma said.
She admitted to a heated exchange with the driver, during which she used some “colourful” language. Both the driver and Choma went into the school to complain about the incident, and also to the township office later, to do the same.
Choma said she called the OPP to report the incident and police have stated they issued a warning to the driver. However, Choma claims one OPP officer has been more interested in threatening her with arrest for causing a public disturbance by swearing, even though she has apologized to the parents of the children who may have heard her swear.
“They were okay with the situation,” she said of the feedback she received from those parents. “They thanked me for my help.”
After initially relaying her side of the confrontation to township officials, Choma said she was called in to the township office on Jan. 31 to “answer a few more questions.” That’s when she was fired by Sinnamon for “leaving her post,” Choma added.
But another incident was also cited as a contributing factor to Choma’s dismissal. She told the Advertiser that Sinnamon brought up an incident in December, during which Choma inquired with the school about possible allergies children had so she could take precautions while handing out treats before Christmas.
“That was the first time it was brought up,” Choma said, adding Sinnamon chastised her for seeking “confidential information.”
Sinnamon did not return a call from the Advertiser. Nor did Mayor Bruce Whale.
Councillor Neil Driscoll said on Monday councillors knew there was an incident involving a crossing guard, but they were not in on the decision to terminate Choma.
“That was not a decision of council,” Driscoll said, adding it is the CAO’s job to hire and fire staff.
Driscoll has received dozens of calls and emails about the issue, and said he was aware a number of residents were planning to attend the Feb. 8 council meeting. He said any council discussion on the matter would likely take place during a closed session, so he was hesitant to make any statement until he has all the relevant information.
However, he did say, “Council has to look at this and make sure the right decision was made.”
Choma says she was not seeking a public apology; she just wants her job back. For her, it is more about dealing with young students every day than it is about the modest wage of $17.50 an hour for a brief work day.
“I love it; it’s a great job. Nothing beats starting and ending your day with the kids,” she said of being a crossing guard.
“I think the worst part about this is having the kids ask why I left and when I’m coming back.”
