The Integrity Commissioner’s report, made public Monday, that focused on Mayor Mitch Panciuk, won’t be the last dealt with by Belleville city council.
Sources to Quinte News say two other complaints, focused on the same councillor, have been filed with the Integrity Commissioner in the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, Mayor Panciuk, speaking on CJBQ’s Lorne Brooker Show, said he made mistakes as the city was going through a hiring process several months ago, adding that he was used to an environment where people openly expressed their opinions.
Panciuk said unfortunately there’s been a “culture of fear” among senior employees with the city that has been around for “many years”.
Panciuk went on to say a comment he made to the staff member about it being “his funeral” if he didn’t hire a certain person was taken out of context in the Commissioner’s report.
Belleville council did not take any action on the Integrity Commissioner’s report and did not support his proposals to sanction the mayor by docking his pay for 30 days. Panciuk issued a public apology.
