Wabana councillor put some staff 'through hell,' says former deputy mayor

Wabana'sformer deputy mayorsays Coun. David Foley put some municipal staff "through hell" and should resign as soon as possible.

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Brian Kent served on the Bell Island community's town council for 18 years, including a stint as deputy mayor prior to his resignation more than a year ago.

Kent told CBC News Fridayhe quit because of a health challenge in this family, but addedthe behaviour of Coun. Foley was also a "good part of it."

He said Foley was continually disruptive and prone to personal attacks against Mayor Gary Gosine and some of the employees.

"I had enough of it," Kent said, describing Foley as "very bullyish" and constantly "dictating" andthreatening staff with termination.

"Some staff went through hell with this guy," said Kent.

Majority want Foley's resignation

Council voted by a margin of 5-1 on Oct. 15 to formally ask Foley to resign, though the motion is purely symbolicsince council cannot terminate an elected member.

Foley, who is serving his second term on council,did not attend the meetingand only Coun. Ben Warfordopposed the motion.

The town issued a news release this week about the Oct. 15 motion, saying it was precipitated by an independent investigation carried out by a human resources firm.

The investigation was launched "following a very stressful ahd turbulent period" that included the resignation of two staff, and deputy mayor Kent.

The town said it will not release the report due to privacy laws, but Mayor Gosine said Thursday it details a very "toxic environment" at the town office.

Foley and Warfordled a charge late last year to have a forensic audit of the town's finances after a review of the town's 2013 financial statements discovered some shortcomings.

Aletter from the town's auditor found that of 40 receipts tested, "we could not agree 10 samples to the bank statements."

Council refused the call for a forensic audit, and an investigation of council by the Department of Municipal Affairs found"nothing significant with regards to the overall operations and administration of the town."

Foley responds

In a letter written to CBC, David Foley said the allegations thatMayor Gosinemade about himare "completely untrue."

"Gary Gosine stated in a previous CBC interviewthat he and his campwantto do things in the best interest of the taxpayers," Foleywrote.

"If so, they should have agreed to amotion that was made by Coun.Ben Warford to have a forensic audit done todetermine what happened to taxpayers money."

Foley said Gosine wouldn't allow the audit to take place, which is against the Municipalities Act. As well, he said the mayor demonstrated "inappropriate behaviour" during union talks.

He said the allegations against himare not only false, but are a waste of the time and money of the Town of Wabana.

"Once again it is not David Foleywho should resign, let's be clear, it's GaryGosine and his camp that should resign," Foleywrote.

"Gosine and his camp should be spending their time concentrating on runningthe affairs of the Town of Wabana instead of being involved in the characterassassination ofDavid Foley."

Ben Warford writes letter supporting Foley

Coun. Ben Warfordalso sent a letter to CBC News, expressing his support for David Foley.

"As a town councillorelected by the people of Wabana, I cannot sit idly by andsay nothing about these malicious attacks on Coun.Foley," he wrote.

"Coun.Foley is one of the best town councillors in the history of the province, very smart and hardworking and always acts in the best interest of our town's taxpayers. The problem, as I see it,is Gosine and his camp are not acting in the best interest of taxpayers."

Warfordsaid Gosinehas wasted nearly $80,000 in his legal action against Foley, which he feelswarrantsan investigation.

"I add [hastefully] that Foley and I as members of the HR Committee and Mr.William Peddle who was fired publicly have not told our side of the story," he wrote.

"Gosine and others should be made [to] pay back to the taxpayers the moniesspent and the Minister through investigation should ensure this happensimmediately."