‘Build consensus’

Dear Editor:

Re: Motion to remove VanLeeuwen as deputy mayor on hold, Feb. 18.

I was horrified to see that Mayor Kelly Linton made a motion to remove Steven VanLeeuwen as deputy mayor.

VanLeeuwen’s position against the lockdowns represents an important perspective within our community. The motion is anti-democratic and is consistent with other troubling comments the mayor has made throughout the pandemic. There is no excuse, including COVID-19, for challenging our democracy.

I applaud the councillors who stood up against the motion. If it is so important to Linton that “the mayor and deputy mayor are on the same page,” the only democratic way to solve the dispute would be for Linton to resign.

If he is not willing to do that, he should seek to learn from his opposition and seek to build consensus like any responsible politician.

Patrick O’Neil, Fergus