A member of Amherstburg council will not be forced to apologize to the town's chief administrative officer.
The town's Integrity Commissioner has revealed the results of his investigation into a complaint filed in July by CAO John Miceli against councillor Diane Pouget.
Bruce Elman says the investigation examined two in-camera meetings and one open meeting in 2017 and 2018.
"I decided that in fact there was two incidents where there was insulting language used that impugned the capabilities of a staff member and that in fact the CAO's reputation for ethics and integrity and for ability was called into question," says Elman.
His investigation determined councillor Pouget violated the Council Code of Conduct and called for her to issue an apology and be reprimanded. However, that recommendation was rejected by council.
Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Amherstburg, John Miceli (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Miceli says he's been dealing with councillor Pouget for four years.
"It has been for myself with the council in question from the first day that I was approved by council, I'm talking September 10th, 2014, councillor Pouget was not in support of me getting this position and from that day forward it's been an ongoing questioning of my capabilities, my integrity for a complete four years," says Miceli.
He says he will not allow councillors to disrespect, harass or bully his staff.
"What was right was what I did," says Miceli. "I protected myself and my staff. My reputation means a lot to me, my staff mean a lot to me, I will not sit there and let a member of council who has no concern of the staff and the reputation of myself and excuse me but I would do it again, if it happens again."
Diane Pouget did not make herself available for comment following Monday night's council meeting.
She lost the race for deputy mayor in the recent municipal election by just four votes and will not be part of the next town council.