A Nov. 9 meeting became uncomfortable for Coun. Viviana Ruiz-Arcand who left her seat and nearly exited the council chamber. (TownofLaRonge/YouTube)

By Derek Cornet

town council

Councillor calls for Besharah to resign or be forced out

Nov 24, 2021 | 3:29 PM

La Ronge Coun. Abby Besharah is facing a call for her resignation following questionable conduct at a council meeting two weeks ago.

Her behaviour became the topic of discussion at a town council meeting last night when local resident Kelly Fiske brought forward his concerns. He told council it was disturbing to see their performance and lack of respect for one another at their previous Nov. 9 meeting.

“It is kind of a little bit disappointing somebody in the community has to address this,” Fiske said. “This is probably one of the biggest forms of bullying that I’ve seen where refusing to stop and listen. Refusing to listen to other councillors, refusing to stop when the mayor asks.”

At that Nov. 9 meeting, Basharah was given the opportunity to speak about her personal experience going through a recent code of conduct investigation. In October, an ethic commissioner had found she had violated that code in her conduct with a staff member during the summer. Besharah apologized for the incident and the investigation was closed without further penalties.

The conversation Nov. 9 between council members, who were also asked about potential changes to the code of conduct bylaw, quickly became unproductive with Coun. Viviana Ruiz-Arcand at one point leaving her seat and requesting to exit the council chamber. Coun. Joe Hordsyki also asked for there to be a call for order.

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At last night’s meeting, Fiske questioned if Besharah should face more penalties for her actions at that meeting. He noted taxpayers and community members shouldn’t have to witness such behaviour, especially following an apology.

That request was followed by comments from Hordyski who said he had never witnessed such conduct at a La Ronge council meeting in his 24 years of service. He mentioned he personally felt frustrated and ashamed that such behaviour was allowed to carry on as long as it did.

“Coun. Besharah decided to use council chambers as a stage, which is being broadcast to the public, she willfully launched her accusation against the administrator, council and staff,” he said. “By carrying on with this outburst, Coun. Besharah breached both common law and the code of conduct. I think it comes down to two choices to restore public confidence. First is to ask Coun. Besharah to resign willfully and the second option is to have her removed from office as provided in the [Northern Municipalities Act].”

Hordyski’s call for Besharah to resign wasn’t concluded at last night’s meeting. larongeNOW reached out to Besharah on this matter, but was told she had no comment.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno