January 7, 2010

An Open Letter 

Recently, I was accused by a Council colleague, April Cullen, of not paying a restaurant bill.  Her intervention on this matter was immediately followed by the launch of a Facebook site by her son, Jesse Michael Cullen, advocating the boycott of a local eatery.  I am a strong supporter of local business in Oshawa and will not condone cyber harassment.

I am deeply saddened that my Council colleague did not accept my word that the cheque was paid and that she insisted on further intervention regarding a private, non-Council matter.  I believe that the citizens of Oshawa expect their councillors to be respectful toward each other and adhere to the new Council Charter. Furthermore, constituents want councillors to be constructive, not destructive, in our actions, words and deeds.

As a result of the launch of this Facebook site, I have received threatening voice mail and email indicating that I have been targeted by a group of people on Facebook as “an enemy of the working class.”  I want my constituents to know that I was raised and influenced by a young-widowed mother who took five buses to work for a meagre wage.  I not only understand the plight of the working poor, I have lived it and was profoundly influenced by the dignity of hard work and financial struggle. My Brother and I also inherited my Mother’s positive, optimistic, resilient, self-starting nature and passion for Canadian history, politics and social justice.

I believe that no member of Council or the public should incite or condone cyber harassment of a colleague or business. There is simply no excuse for this type of bad behaviour. 

The Council agenda over the next few months deserves our undivided attention. As always my focus and efforts will be devoted to the people of Oshawa.

Respectfully,

Councillor Louise Parkes

Local Councillor

Ward 5 & 6