Puslinch councillors addressed the public last week for the first time since firing two senior fire officials on Dec. 8.
And while admitting they were advised by legal experts to keep quiet, a few councillors did make several comments on the termination of Fire Chief Dan Quinnell and his son, Fire Prevention Officer Richard Quinnell.
Councillor Dick Visser, who previously told the Advertiser he wanted the financial discrepancies in the fire department investigated further, said he does not apologize for, or regret, anything he said or did during the entire ordeal.
“I do believe in transparency,” Visser said.
Mayor Brad Whitcombe’s comments were quite different in tone, and included an apology to Visser.
“I apologize, in public, if I have thwarted your efforts or offended you in any other way,” Whitcombe said.
Visser said previously he felt his attempts to investigate the department – including what he called the “terrible management style” and “intimidation” going on under the watch of the Quinnells – went largely ignored.
Whitcombe added Visser has done “very good work” for the township over the years and was particularly diligent on the fire department issue.
“Thank you for your work on it,” the mayor concluded.
Councillor Susan Fielding said it is important for people not to draw conclusions about other municipal employees based on this one matter.
“What has happened is a totally anomaly in the township,” Fielding said, noting the public should have the utmost confidence in staff.
“We do have good employees … We’ve had problems, but we’re moving on.”
With that in mind, council unanimously approved a resolution naming Deputy-Chief Robert Gordon as the interim Fire Chief. A new chief will be hired sometime in the new year.
Last week council also approved spending $3,500 for an assessment of the volunteer fire department.
Clerk Brenda Law explained Denise Shand, of Homewood Employee Health, will conduct a “team assessment,” involving a preliminary questionnaire, select follow-up interviews, and then a report, including recommendations on how to resolve any problems.
Law stressed everything will be totally confidential and the assessment should take about six to eight weeks to complete.
“We just kind of felt it would be good if everyone was involved to see if any other problems come to light,” she said.
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Rumours were abound in the community last week that Dan or Richard Quinnell, or both, were seeking a lawsuit against the township, but Law said on Dec. 18 the township had not received word on any legal action from either man.
