Councillor Tony DiMarco stripped 2 months pay, and reprimanded, after verbal attack on CAO in council
Welland city council has voted to reprimand one of its colleagues, and dock him two months pay.
The Integrity Commissioner recommended this after Councillor Tony DiMarco verbally attacked Chief Administrative Officer Rob Axiak in September.
Mayor Frank Campion addressed any struggling with the decision. "I don't want to do taxes, we've got to do it, it's a part of our job. This is part of our job. If we don't do something, it's sending a really, really bad message to our staff. You can yelled at, you can get harassed at in council chambers, and it's ok."
Councillor DiMarco said he tried numerous times to apologize to Axiak, admitting he was out of line.
Councillor John Chiocchio only agreed with reprimand.
"Most companies now, if you do something wrong, you're home for a week, and they still pay you. I don't like the system. This cost the taxpayer a lot of money, these reports. And to say we're going to take his pay away for two months, well, guess what, we're still in the hole a lot of money."
Councillor Leo Vliet pointed out the behaviour in September was the worst he's ever seen, and hopes he never sees it again. Other councillors were uncomfortable disciplining a colleague, adding the system needs to be fixed.
This is not the first time Councillor DiMarco has been docked pay.
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