Funds raised for Essex councillor docked pay
Within 24 hours of her colleagues voting to dock her a month's pay following a critical integrity commissioner report, supporters of Town of Essex Coun. Sherry Bondy had made up more than that loss through a Gofundme campaign.
Dozens of constituents donated from $10 to $200 to “Stand against the suspension of Sherry Bondy.” By Thursday afternoon, almost $2,000 had been raised, in excess of the $1,500 the councillor loses following the 4-2 vote of her colleagues on Monday night.
But there's a big catch — Bondy can't collect the money.
The same integrity commissioner who slammed Bondy for violating the town's code of conduct through her social media postings has now also advised her that politicians are forbidden from accepting cash or gifts for performing their official duties as elected officials.
Bondy told the Star it doesn't matter, it was the effort that counted and the show of support, including hundreds of messages sent her way since Monday's vote.
“I always made it very clear, it's not about the money, it's about the voice and having that voice taken away,” Bondy told the Star Thursday, adding she was as surprised as anyone over the sudden fundraiser. “People don't want their elected officials muzzled.”
There were actually two separate Gofundme campaigns launched. Justin Gagnon said he's not even a Bondy supporter but was incensed by the integrity commissioner's report and the subsequent vote by her colleagues.
“It seemed ludicrous to me, just crazy. When you elect someone and they're not allowed to ask questions — what's the point of having them (political representatives)? It's just so ridiculous,” said Gagnon.
The town's integrity commissioner, Robert Swayze, accused Bondy of “inappropriate politics” and violating Essex's code of conduct by harassing and bullying employees of the municipality and the town's electricity distribution company, E.L.K. Energy Inc.
A meme drawing that Bondy posted on social media — depicting a cartoon character being led to the gallows — was “most egregious,” according to Swayze, who interpreted it as a threat to E.L.K. staff.
Swayze described as “absurd” Bondy's explanation she was actually the one being depicted being led to the gallows because of her tough and uncomfortable questioning about the Essex-owned utility's affairs. Saying her behaviour “must stop,” he recommended she be docked a month's pay.
“The commissioner missed the point completely — it got under my skin that it was so taken out of context,” said Gagnon.
The former Essex businessman — Gagnon said his restaurant fell victim to the pandemic-imposed shutdowns — said he worries that other councillors might shy away from asking tough questions on behalf of their constituents when they see what can happen.
“That's what people were saying, `You may not always like what she says, but she stood up,'” said Bondy, who has stated publicly she's running for mayor in 2022.
Mayor Larry Snively, who was the one who asked Swayze to investigate Bondy, announced Monday he won't be seeking re-election next year.
“This has gone wild,” Bondy said of the flood of supportive calls and messages she's been receiving, and not just from people in Essex.
“People just want somebody to stand up for them,” she said, adding her questioning of E.L.K. is the result of “people fed up with the power flickers” and asking her to get answers to their claims of spotty electrical service.
Bondy said the integrity commissioner advised her that, while she can't keep the money that was raised for her, she can give it to charity. The councillor said
That's what people were saying, `You may not always like what she says, but she stood up.'
Thursday she's giving donors the opportunity to get their donations back and then she'll be soliciting requests from charitable organizations within the Town of Essex. Five recipients will then be selected in a random draw for an equal share for what remains.
For Gagnon, “the point has been made. You may not agree with her, but she sure does a lot for the community.”
A defiant Bondy told her colleagues Monday night their sanction won't silence her on council: “You can take my money, but you won't take my voice.”