Mayor Cam Guthrie

An Open Letter to the Haters: City Staff Aren’t Your Punching Bag. #Guelph

punching bag

Dear Haters:

Over the past year as mayor I have been noticing a disturbing trend towards belittling our city employees.

  • When a planning department employee was disrespected in the middle of a delegation at a public council meeting, I stopped the meeting and told the delegate that his characterization of our employee was unacceptable and an apology was required. – An apology came.
  • When there was questioning and commentary around our CAO brought up at a town hall meeting, I asked for the conversation to stop. – The discussion stopped.
  • When a citizen rudely emailed our parking staff several months ago I replied to the citizen asking him to apologize to our staff.  – An apology came.

And now, I read blog posts as of late slamming our employees. Just as I did not ignore the public council meeting, the town hall or the emails, I will not ignore the blogs either.

So let me educate you:

  1. Council, including the Mayor, only have one employee – The CAO. Council does not hire or fire any other employee in the city. This is left with our administration to tend to.
  2. All of our employees compete for the positions that they are given and are qualified to be here.
  3. Our employees are not beholden to politicians whether current or previous ones. They work for the corporation and they work for the citizens and businesses of our city by serving them day in and day out.
  4. Their direction is given to them through policies or motions voted upon by council as a whole.

Any workplace should be one free of constantly looking over your shoulder (or looking at a computer screen) from those that have nothing better to do then to spread lies and misinformation to hurt our staff.

bambi

So please, stop using them as your personal punching bag. Haters and bullies often continue their behaviour only because no one has stood up and punched back.

It’s time to stand up. It’s time to punch back.

Thank you,

Cam Guthrie

Mayor – City of Guelph

P.S For those that have read this and want to make one of our employees day, why don’t you email mayor@guelph.ca and tell me how they’ve made your life better, helped you out or have done an outstanding job. I’ll be sure to share it with them!

P.S.S For those that might feel an apology is warranted for how you’ve treated our employees, it’s the same email address – mayor@guelph.ca

 

 

 

Cam Guthrie

25 responses to “An Open Letter to the Haters: City Staff Aren’t Your Punching Bag. #Guelph”

  1. In Surprise Announcement, CAO Pappert Will Not Renew Contract with the City – Guelph Politico

    […] first time that he’s issued a missive about abusing city staff this year. Back in March, in a blog post, Guthrie said, “Any workplace should be one free of constantly looking over your shoulder (or […]

    Reply
  2. Rena Avatar
    Rena

    Now if only the taxpayers of Guelph were given the same respect.

    Reply
  3. The Weekender: Sharing Should Be Caring at City Hall | Open Sources Guelph

    […] caution over transparency. That’s not to imply conspiracy, but when the Mayor himself has to issue a statement asking citizens not to turn city staff into punching bags, it’s not so hard to see why City […]

    Reply
  4. Denise Stumpf Fortier Avatar
    Denise Stumpf Fortier

    Glad to hear that you are standing up for your employees, and have an open door policy for the citizens of Guelph. As an employee for the Region of Waterloo, we are often punching bags to…threats to follow us home or camp outside our homes for decisions that we had to make that reflect the policies and legislations that is set out by the Regional and Provincial governments. We only follow instructions from our employer. We the staff/the minions don’t make up the policies, legislations or procedures. We just follow them and make sure that everyone (the people we service) follows them to make it fair to everyone.

    Reply
  5. darlene Avatar
    darlene

    Can we include transit employees too? All to often we get the dirty end of the stick when a schedule changes or when a bus is running late.

    Reply
    1. Cam Guthrie Avatar
      Cam Guthrie

      Transit drivers are staff too!

      Reply
      1. Tax Payer Avatar
        Tax Payer

        Thanks Cam but do you see them as city employees? Or just staff to any corporation who will have them?

      2. Cam Guthrie Avatar
        Cam Guthrie

        No idea what you’re talking about.

      3. Doug Coughey Avatar
        Doug Coughey

        Perhaps I don’t understand the question correctly; but, I could ask the same question of the Transit drivers. Do they see the City as an employer; or, just anybody who will pay them?

      4. Cam Guthrie Avatar
        Cam Guthrie

        They should see the city as an employer I would think.

      5. Tax Payer Avatar
        Tax Payer

        I am referring to the rumors of Guelph Transit getting privatized. This is talked about by us transit users and we are afraid of what may become of our bus system. Cam, I remember that you publicly said that privatizing transit was not in your agenda during your campaign over a year ago. But the recent decision of city council to cut peak service starting this Summer leads us to believe that you may have changed your mind. It would help us to know if you still stand by what you said in your campaign or if your agenda has changed. Your door is always open, please be transparent on your plans for our bus service. An open door without transparency is just good for better ventilation.

      6. Cam Guthrie Avatar
        Cam Guthrie

        I’m a man of my word.

  6. Mick E Bob Avatar
    Mick E Bob

    If you can’t say something nice… then don’t say anything at all. Grammer is civility1

    Reply
    1. Tax Payer Avatar
      Tax Payer

      As it was said in the movie ”Snow White”. So is your post addressed to Walt Disney?

      Reply
      1. Cam Guthrie Avatar
        Cam Guthrie

        Yeah. Exactly. You figured it out.

      2. Tax Payer Avatar
        Tax Payer

        Actually, it was Bambi.

  7. Rino Basciano Avatar
    Rino Basciano

    It is a shame that you, the mayor, has to send this type of letter. I understand your reasoning for doing so but I can’t really agree with you on your actions.

    The small business owners in this city have been stepped on for years. Empty promise after empty promise has been given to pacify our frustration. Property taxes increase, business license renewals increase and inspection requirements increase every year. Who can we turn to for a voice? I’ve tried our former mayor to no success. I voted for you with, so far, no satisfaction. Guelph is the most expensive city around to start up / operate a business. Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Milton are all more “small business” friendly than Guelph. Where is our voice Mr Mayor? I would love to sit down with you or anyone else, to discuss this issue at anytime.

    My door is always open.

    Reply
    1. Cam Guthrie Avatar
      Cam Guthrie

      My door is open too! Email my office to set up a time!

      Reply
    2. Kristo Avatar
      Kristo

      I am still waiting for our meeting since before xmas …wondering when the door is open ??

      Reply
      1. Cam Guthrie Avatar
        Cam Guthrie

        Hmmmm apologies if this is the case. Please email right away to cam.guthrie@guelph.ca so I can see what’s going on okay! Thanks!

  8. Doug Coughey Avatar
    Doug Coughey

    Way to go, Cam! I wish more leaders would take your stance! Well spoken!

    Reply
  9. Evelyn Avatar
    Evelyn

    Way to go Mayor!!! I respect you taking a stand.

    Reply
  10. Sue Avatar
    Sue

    I’m glad to see you addressing this. Better to sit down with them and ask why they do things the way they do than to just decide that you know more about their job than they do.

    Reply
  11. Ann.Pappert@guelph.ca Avatar
    Ann.Pappert@guelph.ca

    Thank you. Much appreciated.

    Ann Pappert | Chief Administrative Officer
    City of Guelph
    T 519-822.1260 x 2221
    ann.pappert@guelph.ca

    Reply
  12. Alan J Avatar
    Alan J

    Pretty disgusting behaviour. To disagree is okay, to fight for something you believe in is okay too. To show a lack of courtesy and manners is unacceptable – just look at the American election. You want politics in Canada to descend into that? Way to go Cam for calling out the bullies.

    Reply

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