Council to seek legal advice on ‘Old Boys club’ comments
Conduct called into question after observations by two female councillors
Comments made in a local newspaper about misogyny and the “Old Boys club” at Niagara Falls city council has brought more code of conduct heat on Coun. Carolynn Ioannoni. But she said reaction to the story from male councillors proves her point.
Ioannoni and Lori Lococo, the only two female members of council, were both quoted in a Sept. 3 story in Niagara This Week titled “#HerSay: Cracking the ‘Old Boys club’ at Niagara Falls council.” Written by Lindsay Smith, it was part of a series on gender and politics in Niagara.
In the story, Ioannoni commented on her 23 years on council and her numerous run-ins with male councillors and mayors.
“Misogyny is alive and well in Niagara politics,” she is quoted, adding “it’s hard being on an Old Boys club council in Niagara Falls.”
Lococo, elected in 2018, said in the story “some lines have been crossed regarding respect and decorum because I’m a woman.”
Neither the mayor nor any male members of council are quoted in the story.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, Coun. Vic Pietrangelo asked for an “outside opinion” on whether council’s code of conduct was violated.
Adapted in 2017, the code of conduct addresses such areas as harassment, social media and staff relations.
After Pietrangelo made his motion, Lococo immediately declared a conflict of interest.
But Ioannoni said the motion was “pretty vague” and that Pietrangelo should be “more specific on what he’s asking public money to be spent on.”
Pietrangelo responded “that would be the pot calling the kettle black,” referring to Ioannoni’s numerous integrity commissioner complaints. Of the nine investigations started since 2015, seven have involved Ioannoni.
Combined, the nine investigations have cost taxpayers $273,741.
Ioannoni said neither she nor Lococo named anyone in the story or “called anybody names.” She stressed the story was meant to draw attention to the problems facing many female councillors.
“We honestly told our lived experiences in politics,” she said. “Just discussing … asking whether there are grounds for an investigation on a code of conduct breach is exactly what that article’s all about.
“Basically what you’re saying is, don’t answer a question because if we don’t like your answer — and ( Pietrangelo) clearly didn’t — if you’re critical about what we said about men in politics, you’re going to ask for an investigation.”
Asked by Mayor Jim Diodati how he wanted to address Ioannoni’s comments, Pietrangelo replied, “I don’t have to address it.”
Ioannoni did not vote on the motion, which was passed by council.