Amherst Police Commission sets date to deal with alleged racist comment by councillor

The Amherst Board of Police Commissioners has scheduled two meetings to address a complaint over a racist comment alleged to have been made by councillor and mayoral candidate George Baker.

The first is scheduled to be held at noon today. The purpose of this meeting is to gather information and determine whether the commission is ready to proceed to a decision on the complaint.

Coun. Baker will be given an opportunity to present his point of view and will be available to answer questions from the members of the commission.

The commission will be asked if they have enough information to make a decision on the complaint.

Should the commission determine that it is ready to make a decision, it will be asked to do so at a second meeting at noon Monday after having had the opportunity to reflect on the issue over the weekend.

Should the commission determine that it requires more information, it will be asked to consider a proposal to engage an independent person to write a report on the issue and cancel Monday’s meeting.

Coun. Baker has advised the commission that he wishes to proceed with this issue without the assistance of legal counsel.

Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers at Town Hall, 98 Victoria St. in Amherst.