Elliot Lake Mayor Dan Marchisella was cautioned by CAO Daniel Gagnon to maintain his composure during Monday night's lengthy council meeting.
Close to 11 p.m. debate became heated when a resolution presented by the mayor that would have allowed Coun. Chris Patrie back on two standing committees came up for debate.
In 2019, Patrie had been removed from the committees following Code of Conduct infractions that were investigated by then Integrity Commissioner E4M of Sault Ste. Marie. He was also docked pay based on council sanctions against him. Even now he continues to face a court case from a Conflict of Interest investigation dating from the same time period.
Monday night at the virtual meeting, the Mayor stated that he had filed complaints with E4M against Patrie two years ago which had led to the sanctions including Patrie's removal from the standing committees.
"In watching the Nov. 25, 2019 committee meeting, and looking at the wordings, there's definitely a grey area that would allow Councillor Patrie back on the standing committees due to the fact that at the time of this recommendation and sanction, we were with the Committee of the Whole," the mayor said.
After stating he wanted to present the facts and being repeatedly interrupted by Patrie during Monday night's virtual council meeting, the mayor asked CAO Gagnon to cut Patrie's microphone feed so the mayor could finish speaking.
Gagnon chided the mayor for being too emotional.
"Your worship, your tone is getting a little alarming," he said.
"And getting interrupted, it's very frustrating. I like to stick to the facts. It's very very clear that everyone is allowed their own personal opinion, but we need to stick to the facts," the mayor returned.
"I've already overstretched my bounds by suggesting your tone was getting inappropriate. It's your meeting," Gagnon said.
"I've been extremely lenient over the past years with absolutely everybody," Marchisella continued. "I'm going to call the vote now on the item as it stands. As I mentioned, any amendment to this would be a full reconsideration."
"I'm low on patience as anyone can see. I've seen consistent contempt for my position and disrespect for myself over the last three years. I've tried to be patient, as at the last meeting I said nothing. I've been very tolerant," Marchisella said. "Throughout the meeting, I can call for the vote on the item as it stands. I don't do that. Why? Because I like to make sure that everyone gets to ask the questions they need to ask and get the answers they need to have, before the vote."
The mayor's resolution lost on a 4-3 vote.