Readers call for accountability in wake of Kincardine councillor's offensive comment

To the Editor:

My grandmother, the late Donna Wilson-Kennedy, was the first female mayor of Kincardine in the late 1980s after serving as a councillor and reeve. The stories she told me growing up about the misogyny and sexism she faced, were difficult for me to understand. What do you mean women were verbally abused and their opinions were disregarded?

My grandmother, along with other strong males and females in our community, worked hard to pave the way for future generations. My grandmother pushed the “old boys club” to be fair, to follow the process and to do its due diligence. To be fair, just like today, many of her male colleagues were allies who fought alongside her. Together, they fought hard for females to have a seat at the table, to be heard and to be respected.

The Kincardine council meeting, April 4, 2022, shows that more than 30 years later, we still have a long way to go. Elected official councillor Dave Cuyler said very clearly under his breath and into his microphone, "You're a fucking cunt." He said this to another female councillor because he didn’t agree with her.   

As if this wasn’t bad enough, the inaction of our mayor was embarrassing. Simply suggesting “councillors make sure their microphones were turned off, as their comments were being picked up on the broadcast,” is not addressing the issue. There needs to be accountability for this clear violation of the municipality’s Code of Conduct.

I am proud of my grandmother for being a strong female role model to myself and countless others. I am writing this letter on behalf of my grandmother, her daughters, her granddaughters and her great-granddaughters. 

My hope is that my daughters don’t have to write a similar letter one day. They deserve a better Kincardine. We all deserve a better Kincardine. Don’t forget to vote this October.

​We miss you Granny, XO

Sincerely,
Sarah Harker
Kincardine
 

---

To the Editor:

Sorry, but anyone who has been reported to the integrity commissioner three times, obviously has not learned a thing. Three strikes and you are out.

A councillor who behaves in such a manner, repeatedly, does not represent me.

Time to resign or be removed from council.

Leslie Booth
Kincardine
 

---

To the Editor:

Kincardine councillor Dave Cuyler's "apology" should have been made immediately after he made his extremely-offensive comment. 

Asking us to believe that those words were directed to himself, or that HE is emotionally vulnerable, is a stretch, to say the least. 

Since it does not seem as if the councillor wishes to take responsibility for his own actions, how can we expect him to act responsibly on behalf of the municipality?

J. MacKenzie
Kincardine
 

---

To the Editor:

I read, the letter written by Airianna Murdoch-Fyke about Kincardine councillor Dave Cuyler’s disgusting remarks during Monday evening’s Kincardine council meeting.  

Most of us would find the use of the phrase “fucking cunt” offensive in any context, but to learn that the comments were actually verbalized by an elected official during a public meeting, is beyond unsettling. However, it is not surprising, given that very little has deterred this sort of behaviour in the past.

Cuyler was, in fact, found to have breached the same Code of Conduct by making inappropriate comments just over a year ago in February, 2021. Although the integrity commissioner recommended a 90-day suspension at that time, deputy mayor Randy Roppel moved to limit the suspension to only 30 days and council supported that.  

We have to wonder if they had responded differently just over a year ago, whether the disgusting display Monday evening could have been avoided.

Even mayor Gerry Glover, who chaired the meeting, failed to state clearly that the behaviour was unacceptable during the meeting. The fact that he has since lodged a complaint to the integrity commissioner, only after hearing from disgusted members of the public, does not inspire confidence.

I have also read accounts that reveal that Cuyler’s offensive comments were directed at another councillor, Laura Haight. Sadly, she is not alone and is experiencing what many female elected officials know is true.

This behaviour certainly explains why many women do not stand for election, but on this count, all citizens, regardless of gender, should take offence. There is no excuse!

The so-called apology Cuyler made to the press, saying that his “comment was not directed to anyone other than himself” is disingenuous at best, given the explicit gender-based phrase he used. Cuyler’s apology goes on to make excuses, citing his own “emotional vulnerability” and asking for “understanding and acceptance.”

There is no excuse, and anyone who extends "understanding and acceptance" is equally responsible for ongoing gender-based violence against women.

We must now wait for the findings of the integrity commissioner as to whether or not Cuyler breached the Code of Conduct.
The evidence is on tape and witnesses are many, so the finding is predictable.  

Then we wait for council to accept those findings and act on the recommendations made. That is not so predictable, but that outcome will be considered by many voters when they go to the polls in October.

To Airianna Murdoch-Fyke, thank you for standing up against this wrong, and writing your letter to the Kincardine Record. Hopefully, many others will be as outraged as you.

Sincerely,
Ms. Gagnon
Saugeen Shores