Councillor Don McKay says it’s time for Puslinch council to move on and let legal matters concerning the township’s fire department proceed in a civil and fair manner.
“A continuance of rumour, innuendos, and speculation will serve no one’s interest,” McKay told fellow councillors last week. “Let’s get on with the business of running this township.”
The December firings of Fire Chief Dan Quinnell and his son, Fire Prevention Officer Richard Quinnell, have become an issue of contention on council and in the community.
They were fired amidst allegations of financial “discrepancies” and “intimidation” of fire fighters.
On Jan. 6, about a month after their dismissal, the Quinnells launched a lawsuit against the township, seeking damages of over $735,000 for wrongful dismissal, mental distress, and bad faith, plus aggravated and punitive damages.
None of the charges from either side have been proven in court. Several councillors say the OPP is now investigating the matter, although police officials have offered no comment.
On March 4, Mayor Brad Whitcombe read a statement that explained a few of the details behind the dismissals and stressed that council was united in its decision to fire the Quinnells and in its resolve to fight the lawsuit.
However, councillors Dick Visser and Susan Fielding complained because they were not informed about the letter beforehand.
Visser again objected to the statement at the beginning of the March 18 meeting. He said Whitcombe effectively “relegated council to irrelevancy” by not offering councillors a chance to review the statement.
McKay said he, too, would have liked advance notice, but given the divide on council about what information should be made public, Whitcombe had no choice but to release a statement.
“I fully agree and endorse what is contained in [it],” McKay said. “The information is factual and provides a clear statement of what council was doing and is doing to deal with this regrettable situation.”
McKay also lauded the fire department as one of the best in Wellington County and commended all township staff for the “excellent service” they provide to the community.
No other councillors addressed the fire department issue.
