Alnwick/Haldimand municipal office in Grafton could reopen to the public on Monday
Alnwick Haldimand Township Municipal Building. By Dan Jones.
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.
The Alnwick/Haldimand municipal office in Grafton could reopen to the public as early as Monday.
The building was closed June 8, after officials claimed senior staff were being targeted on social media, email and through the municipal website.
The building itself was not equipped to provide safety barriers, blocking the public from accessing staff offices. Now, the installation of appropriate safety protocols are nearly complete according to Chief Administrative Officer Dave Dawson.
“When things escalated for us, staff received a direct threat through our township complaint form that targeted individuals and identified a harm to them. It's not a criminal threat, but it is definitely a direct threat. When somebody’s personal wellbeing is spoken about in a harmful nature, then we’ve reached a point, we need to do something different,” Dawson told Robert Washburn of Consider This.
Dawson said the Township has seen an increase of disruptive behaviour over the past few years, but that social media is fueling significant misinformation, where it is being weaponized for personal attacks. Council meetings were moved to Zoom, to decrease the exposure of staff to the public.
“These threats are extremely troubling and entirely unacceptable. The incivility within our community must stop. Municipal staff work hard every day to serve residents, implement Council's decisions, and provide the services that our community depends on. While we recognize that residents may sometimes disagree with decisions, policies, or projects, there is never any justification for threats, intimidation, harassment, or abusive behaviour directed toward municipal employees,” Mayor John Logel said.
While walk-in services were postponed, citizens were able to conduct business over the phone or by booking an appointment.
