Kelownasa国际传媒檚 mayor is calling for civility and civil discourse in light of an online threat made against him following a controversial planning decision made by city council Monday.
Flanked by his wife, mother, two young children and two city councillors, Colin Basran read a short prepared statement at city hall Wednesday afternoon, saying the online comments against him that threatened violence were unacceptable.
sa国际传媒淪imply put, it is sad that I have to stand here and make a plea for civility and talk about why bullying and harassment is intolerable,sa国际传媒� he said.
The online post, which called for Basran to be shot, was reported to police and, as a result, led to 52-year-old Kelowna man being arrested. Police said the suspect was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.
READ MORE: UPDATED: Suspect arrested after Kelowna mayor receives death threat
The post on InfoNews.ca, was removed shortly after it appeared and other posters on the same conversation board complained about it.
The threat was made after Basran used his mayoral executive privilege to bring back a failed development proposal for the south Pandosy area of the city.
The proposal, for a 20-unit, six-storey residential building on Groves Avenue, was defeated in a 4-4 tied vote last month after a lengthy public hearing.
Some area residents were upset Basran brought the issue back for a second time after it was defeated. On Monday, with a full council on hand, the proposal was approved 5-4.
That sparked online complaints about Basransa国际传媒檚 re-introduction of the proposed development.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 unacceptable to me, itsa国际传媒檚 unacceptable to my family and I am sure itsa国际传媒檚 unacceptable to the majority of society,sa国际传媒� said Basran of the threatening post.
sa国际传媒淒emocracy is sometimes messy, and controversial issues sometimes generate strong feelings. But thatsa国际传媒檚 what makes our community strongsa国际传媒攅xercising an open mind, humility and mutual respect and especially with those with whom we disagree.
sa国际传媒淭he bigger issue here is about civility and a collective commitment to civil discourse. More than ever, itsa国际传媒檚 vital to challenge those who use personal attacks, online bullying, or vulgar language to stifle opposing points of view.sa国际传媒�
He said criticism of council decisions and debating issues facing the community is nothing new, and it often helps lead to better outcomes.
sa国际传媒淏ut online comments made by one of our residents yesterday, encouraging violence, is where I draw the line,sa国际传媒� said Basran. sa国际传媒淏y ignoring the comment and not saying anything, to me, would just be condoning this type of behaviour.sa国际传媒�
Following the brief statementsa国际传媒攊t took Basran just three minutes and 29 seconds to read itsa国际传媒攈e declined to answer any questions and quickly left the council chambers.
During his remarks, he said as upsetting as the incident was for him and his family, he saw it as an opportunity for the community to grow.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 a reminder that we can disagree with one another, but we can do so respectfully. We all see the world a little differently and thatsa国际传媒檚 a good thing.sa国际传媒�
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