Mayor Brian Jackson said he asked South Simcoe Police to investigate a closed-door incident between himself and Coun. Bill Pring “to clear the air”.
“The individual has been making allegations so I thought it should be investigated,” Jackson told the Journal. “I want this investigated so we can move forward.”
Meanwhile, Coun. Bill Pring has said there was “more than a verbal assault” when the mayor lambasted him in a closed-door brow beating that was accidentally broadcast over the council chamber PA system Wednesday.
Jackson said there was no physical contact during the incident, which he said “was certainly not a tirade or lambasting”.
Jackson declined to elaborate on the specifics, citing the police investigation and possible litigation.
Deputy Gord Wauchope was in the room at the time, but also said he could not comment due to the investigation. Wauchope said he has yet to be interviewed by South Simcoe Police.
“I’m kind of between and rock and hard place here,” he said. “I can’t really say anything.”
During a recess at Wednesday’s council meeting, reporters, town staff and citizens heard Jackson yelling at Pring from a backroom because the mayor had forgotten to turn off his lapel microphone.
“Just you stay in that f ….ing chair and shut up,” Jackson shouted at Pring. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
Contacted Friday, Jackson called the incident “unfortunate”.
“It certainly is language that I don’t commonly use,” he said. “There’s been a lot of stress on council and there was some misunderstanding over (Pring’s) recommendation.”
Jackson said he was “outraged” by Pring’s attempt to create a new negotiating committee for Barrie boundary-related issues.
In a surprise motion, Pring called for the mayor and councillors Paul Wardlaw and Bill Van Berkel to be replaced with Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope and Coun. Dan Davidson.
“We all worked hard on that committee, and I was insulted and offended,” Jackson said. “I believe we were fairly successful and I was angry. It was a slap in the face to council.”
Pring’s motion was aimed at creating a negotiating team to ensure Highway 400 industrial lands are serviced through Innisfil’s wastewater treatment plant.
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