A recent anonymous Newsletter mailed to township homes has two Puslinch councillors calling for a police presence at coming election debates, but OPP officials will not confirm their attendance.
“That’s an operational matter with the police, so I can’t comment on whether or not we’ll be there,” OPP?Inspector Scott Smith told the Advertiser.
Last week, councillor Dick Visser said he was “saddened and dismayed” by the most recent unsigned poison-pen letter, which accuses councillors and township staff members of various personal, political and legal wrongdoings.
The Newsletters, penned anonymously by what appears to be an individual or group from within the township, began appearing intermittently in area mailboxes about 18 months ago.
Visser said he has thick skin and is used to criticism, but the latest “emotionally disturbing” Newsletter prompted him to speak to Smith at the Aberfoyle Fall Fair and to request an OPP presence at the community centre for the mayor’s debate on Oct. 7 and candidates’ debate on Oct. 12.
He added a police presence should ensure there will be order those two evenings and prevent any type of demonstration.
“It’s affecting a lot of people and it’s going to tip someone over the edge sooner or later,” Visser said of the Newsletters.
Councillor Susan Fielding said everyone she has spoken to is “incensed” the letters are getting into their mail. While she said local voters are too intelligent and mature to be influenced by them, she agreed a police presence at the candidate debates is a good idea.
“Our community deserves that from the OPP,” she said.
However, Smith refused to say if any OPP officers will be at the meetings. He did confirm he has received a request from the township, and noted the OPP has in the past “occasionally” attended similar events in the province, but this was the first such request of the Wellington?County detachment of which he is aware.
Smith said he is familiar with the Newsletters, which “allege repeatedly” criminal behaviour on behalf of township council and staff, but no one has ever asked the police to investigate such claims.
“From our perspective, the thing that is somewhat troubling is it’s anonymous,” he said. “[Those responsible] make the allegations and they just hang there … so that aggravates things.”
