Integrity commissioner gets police escort after decision to dock Essex councillor's pay

Essex town council has voted to suspend Coun. Randy Voakes' pay for two months following a report from the integrity commissioner, who was then escorted from the fiery meeting by police.

Council's decision came after a recommendation from commissioner Robert Swayze, but when Voakes tried to ask him some questions he was told to leave the meeting by Mayor Ron McDermott.

"The mayor said, 'No you can't.' And I asked him, 'Why not?' And he said, 'Because I'm not letting you,'" said Voakes, who was met by a group of supporters outside council chambers. "He said, 'Tell council you're sorry, or else you're gonna have to leave.' So I just never said a word. I just got up and walked out, because I'm not sorry. I ain't close to being sorry."

McDermott said he's fed up with Voakes and his behaviour, which was the subject of Swayze's report.

"He doesn't have to follow rules. Well, he's gonna. That's why he had everyone put a complaint in against him," said the mayor. "You know, you're either gonna follow them or you're not. So it'll happen again. We'll take all his money if that's what he wants."

Swayze's report was commissioned on the heels of complaints against Voakes made by McDermott, deputy mayor Richard Meloche and councillors Sherry Bondy, Steve Bjorkman and Larry Snively. The complaints, received by Swayze in July, alleged Voakes was contravening council's code of conduct by his "continuing disrespect for the process and rules" and his "aggressive and bullying" behaviour. 

The report cited an incident where Voakes allegedly asked a fellow councillor in an email if they were "drunk again" and another incident where he allegedly walked out a council meeting and "revved the motor of his car in the parking lot and raised his middle finger."

The complaints in July were in addition to complaints leveled against Voakes in August of 2016 that prompted Swayze to issue him a warning.

"It is clear that Councillor Voakes has refused to heed the warning to him contained in my previous report," wrote Swayze in report presented to council Tuesday night. "In my opinion, his behaviour is severely impacting council doing its business."

Swayze warned he would recommend a three-month suspension of pay if he receives another "valid complaint" about Voakes.