Chatham-Kent Council members are set to decide whether or not to reprimand one of their own.
Councillor Alysson Storey is facing two formal reprimands and a 10-day pay suspension following a months-long investigation by Integrity Commissioner Susan Craig, who determined that the Ward 6 representative violated two sections of council’s Code of Conduct.
Council will vote on the integrity commissioner’s recommended sanctions during Monday’s meeting.
“I will admit, this has been a hugely stressful experience for me, and I don’t think it will be pleasant to sit in that room and have my integrity questioned,” Storey said in an interview with CKXS News.
Craig launched the investigation in response to a complaint that was filed on January 2, which took issue with comments made by Storey during an unsanctioned public meeting in Dresden on October 20, 2024, and a subsequent council meeting. A second complaint was also received on March 11 relating to alleged misleading statements and social media posts Storey made on the development of the new Chatham-Kent Community Hub at the former Sears building in downtown Chatham.
According to a report released by Craig last month, Storey’s comments about the Hub project inaccurately linked the move to the old Sears building to a loss of municipal services, particularly in rural areas, and library closures. It was also alleged that Storey made inaccurate statements that left the impression that municipal staff did not address accessibility standards in the new building.
“[Storey] repeatedly stated that staff had not provided answers to questions on accessibility and inferred that staff intentionally omitted to advise Council that library and other municipal services closures would occur in rural areas as a direct result of the CK Hub,” said Craig.
Storey said she does not agree with the integrity commissioner’s findings, but she does not intend to challenge them.
“I believe this is a thinly veiled attempt to silence people who are asking questions about the most expensive proposal that has ever come to this council this term, perhaps in our history,” said Storey. “A lot of my constituents have a lot of questions, and so I, in good faith, have been asking those questions throughout the term.”
However, in her report, Craig stated that Storey’s conduct publicly, in emails, and on social media went beyond merely asking questions about the CK Hub project.
“I found that [Storey] communicated a narrative of inaccurate information, in the guise of simply asking questions on behalf of constituents whom she represents, with the consequence of fueling community members’ belief that municipal staff had not considered and reviewed accessibility concerns with respect to the CK Hub, and that municipal services in rural areas would close as a direct result of the CK Hub relocating to the old Sears mall location,” said Craig.
Storey said she would never intentionally undermine staff.
“I have no problem apologizing to any staff that felt undermined by my questions,” said Storey. “If there are ways I can improve how I communicate those questions, I will absolutely do so.”
If council chooses to suspend Storey’s pay for a period of 10 days, the amount would be $1,149.