The war of words between Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman and Coun. Mike McCann has entered its second round in as many weeks.
After verbally sparring about replacing city trees in the tornado zone last week, Lehman was irked Monday about McCann’s comments in a BarrieToday Q&A story asking councillors about the most significant issue council has faced during the first three years of its term of office, how successful council was in resolving this matter and why.
McCann, in part of his response, said: “Where we failed, in a big way, was when the COVID mandates stated that our small businesses could reopen and the mayor, who had the power under the state of emergency, decided not to allow this to happen in Barrie. As a councillor, I tried to convince our mayor to reopen our businesses and he refused. As a result, the small business community were not happy with this council and have lost much trust.”
Lehman responded Wednesday evening.
“I gave Coun. McCann formal notice (Tuesday) that his statement was 100 per cent false and libelous, and told him he needs to retract it and take accountability,” the mayor told BarrieToday.
“It’s disappointing that the councillor has been putting his political ambitions ahead of the good of the city,” Lehman added. “Peddling misinformation during a pandemic for personal political gain is unacceptable. Inventing a story about me deciding to keep businesses closed is just bizarre, especially since in the spring, I campaigned for them to be able to reopen.
“It’s also pretty shocking that after seven years on council and two years of a state of emergency, the councillor lacks even a basic understanding of the authority of the mayor and council. Mayors cannot override provincial laws, even if I had been inclined to make such a decision," he said.
“Hopefully Coun. McCann will have the integrity to withdraw his remarks and apologize, and I’ll consider my options if he doesn’t.”
Reached just after 7 p.m., Wednesday, McCann said he needs more time to respond to Lehman’s remarks and would do so later this week. Lehman’s comments were read to McCann by BarrieToday, but the Ward 10 councillor still asked for more time.
“I’ve had no time to digest this,” McCann said. “These are pretty serious allegations and so we need to get the story right. (I) need time to digest and process, and I will have a very direct and full and deliberate answer to you.”
Last week, McCann said there was confusion in his ward when Lehman visited on Oct. 31, dropping off information and flyers with support and mental health information for those impacted by the July 15 storm in southeast Barrie.
The mayor said there was no information in his flyers about replacing trees in the area damaged by the EF-2 tornado, and noted only one resident asked about trees.
But McCann said he had nine or 10 calls, that Lehman’s visit could have been handled differently and that he would have preferred to be invited to go with the mayor.
The war of words between McCann and Lehman could also relate to the city election next October.
McCann has hinted that he might run for mayor in the 2022 municipal election, although he has not officially declared.
Lehman has said he’s not decided whether or not to seek a fourth term as mayor.
Nominations open May 2 for the Oct. 24, 2022 municipal vote, which elects the next Barrie mayor, 10 city councillors and school board trustees.
