Langford council’s latest meeting filled with shouts and accusations

A Langford city council meeting on Monday erupted with shouting and accusations.

“You are on your own trajectory, whatever you guys are doing,” said Langford Mayor Stewart Young during Monday’s meeting.

“We are what? What was that? We’re a trajectory? But what is that?” replied Coun. Lillian Szpak.

The issue was over Szpak’s position as a chair of a sub-committee.

But Szpak said the procedural point becomes personal with accusations of bullying and sexism.

“I would say that anyone watching on Monday night and previous meetings over the last couple of months, can clearly see that this man is bullying me and another female councillor, Councillor Blackwell.”

Coun. Denise Blackwell, who has been a member of council for decades, says a seat at the table isn’t exactly a pleasant place to be these days.

“It’s not OK. To be bullied, and when he pounced on Lillian Monday night, and then attacked me, I got up and left. I was so fed up with what they were doing.”

Young, Blackwell and Szpak are all veteran politicians who have served together for decades.

But Young said working together has become an issue of late.

“Am I frustrated? Absolutely I am frustrated with Denise and Lillian right now. They used to be what’s best for Langford. Now they are looking at what’s best for them, and their self interest groups.”

Former Saanich mayor Frank Leonard has some advice for this council.

“Sometimes the solution is; let’s just stick to housekeeping. We’ve only got a few more meetings left before the election. Let’s keep it simple. Let’s not put something on the agenda that’s going to needlessly cause us to get down each others’ throats. And let’s try and be civil.”

There is a chance the councillors and mayor will have to work together for four more years, as Szpak and Blackwell are running for re-election.

Young says he’ll make his decision on running again for mayor later this summer.

mgriffin@cheknews.ca

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