Matt Whitman, Halifax deputy mayor, ordered to apologize for tweets
'They were inappropriate & unkind' Matt Whitman wrote on Twitter
Halifax Deputy Mayor Matt Whitman is on what he calls "an apology tour" after regional council passed a motion declaring some of his recent social media posts were not appropriate of a public official.
Whitman took to Twitter last week to criticize an RCMP officer who fined his neighbour $406 for using an ATV to widen a snow-covered street.
During Tuesday's regular meeting, councillors went in camera for over three hours to discuss the posts.
They emerged with the following motion calling on Whitman to apologize:
- "That Halifax Regional Council, having reviewed all of the documentation and having heard from Deputy Mayor Whitman, Council finds that the social media communications of the Deputy Mayor did not show the respect expected of a public official, accordingly, Council directs the Deputy Mayor to issue an apology."
"I'm on an apology tour," Whitman told CBC after the meeting ended.
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNS">@CBCNS</a> I'm sorry to anyone that my social media offended or upset.... Especially the 2 hashtags. They were inappropriate & unkind.
—@matlantivexHe said he was issuing the apology to a number of individuals and media outlets.
A number of supporters took to social media to say Whitman had nothing to be sorry about.
.<a href="https://twitter.com/matlantivex">@matlantivex</a> it is unfortunate that we sometimes have to apologize for being passionate about something we say.Dont stop your passion.
—@kvnf67<a href="https://twitter.com/matlantivex">@matlantivex</a> Continued thanks for supporting us & attending events re proposed Tantallon asphalt plant, those actions carry most wt for me.
—@yarrowgillis<a href="https://twitter.com/matlantivex">@matlantivex</a> respect. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/takethehighground?src=hash">#takethehighground</a>
—@PinchyC