CFN – Cornwall Ontario Human Resources Manager Dail Levesque is refusing to speak to the media or comment over the termination of as many as five Municipal Works employees including Todd Lalonde who also is a School Board trustee and former board poobah of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.
Mr. Levesque has refused to confirm or deny the terminations.
Calls, email, and Facebook queries to Mr. Lalonde were not returned as of press time.
Bill De Witt Municipal Works manager stated to CFN that he was not to comment to media, and Kevin Lajoie also stated he could not comment. Neither would confirm or deny the events.
The other workers first names according to sources were Pete, Lionel, Greg, and Glen. The source continued that the issues stemmed from an investigation of theft of time; sometimes in a city vehicle and sometimes allegedly involving overtime hours.
Calls to several councilors were also answered with “I can’t comment.”
While we can understand the need for personal privacy the bigger question is why the City is refusing to speak to the media about the incident or even “officially” confirm it although the tenor of phone conversations clearly acknowledged an issue without a single city contact stating that there was no incident.
If the allegations are true they would be most damaging for Mr. Lalonde who was slated to be running for Municipal Office in 2014.
We will be updating this story as more info becomes available and if you see news happen email CFN at info@cornwallfreenews.com or call our hotline at 613 361 1755.
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WOW, what took so long? Its about darn time the city cleans house with this behaviour. Long over due, long over due.
I’m hoping that they are not going after lower level employees to distract from upper level management and conflicted elected officials…
I do agree to some of your statement Jamie BUT it never took much of an education to see these “City Workers” not really putting in an honest days work.
Yes City BS, but if true was it just discovered or is it strategic as the next council meeting is Monday?
I’m just a taxpayer being raped by the City so I can’t answer the question.
29 in Hamilton early this year. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/hamilton-ont-fires-29-city-workers-over-inappropriate-behaviour-accusations/article7907092/
Surprise…….not really .
This is fine example of why services should be contracted out!
Things don’t all have to be contracted out, but city workers should not be employed if they refuse to work as hard as a non-pensioned competitive unit of labour in the open marketplace. And if you didn’t understand that, you are retarded. Son.
Re: cityBS
Who you gonna call when a water main bursts on your street in front of your house ? Who !
Re: Highlander
If you were up to date with city services they tried that years ago , would cost more ? Hello Do your research before commenting
@ Sheppard
Contractors, for what gets done in a day by city workers, contractors could do it twice as fast and cheaper in price without all the perks. Really? you think only city workers can fix a watermain? wow you are delusional.
Fact is these guys got caught, Todd Lalonde included, own it like real men.
The city has carried some people for years and will not act as they are minorities.
really? there are minorities working for the city? 🙂
No question in my mind that some City employees have been guilty of Time Theft while working for us the Taxpayers . As I see it this stems from a ( union ) culture of entitlement . I feel sorry for the families of those caught up in this mess . These employees if found guilty have shown a lack of respect for themselves their families and our Taxpayers $$$ .
Union or no Union a good days work for a days pay must prevail
If dismissal is warranted here is this the start of a clean up if so fine but it won’t finish until election time when a good clean up at City
Hall will or must occur.
There’s supposed to be a meeting at City Hall this a.m. – hope someone is covering it !
The city of Cornwall has every right and in fact is expected to exercise that right on an on going basis, to expect a full days work for a full days pay.
In almost all functions there will be some down time, yet city workers are no different than other corporate workers. Down time should not necessarily be added to a smoke break or a personal shopping trip while on duty.
I believe smoking is not allowed in city vehicles too as other employees who are non-smokers would be subjected to the left over stench of it, as well as the perpetuating of poor health habits.
Frankly, I like Todd Lalonde as many do, yet this lovefest has to remain separate from the fulfilment of his work assignments just like anyone else. Standing pretty and holding a smile are not enough…unless you are a politician wannabe.
Some feel everything is political and they may be right so the smile should be catching, votes in the offing or not. What real items of interest has he every presented for this community besides that?
Secrets are sometimes personal. This may well be traumatic times for those let go. Some compassion on our part should be involved. The bottom line is that we too come to realize that we are being provided a bang for our bucks.
We ought to be thankful that that arm of the city is watchful on our behalf. City employees including manageres need to realize their obligations to there services to us as well.
It’s about time. This is not “new” news. How come this has not been monitored more than this and before now? Isn’t there any honest people in this town? I am surprised that there was only 5 that got caught. Clean up is good and make room for the people that want to work and are honest. Police check before hiring them should be mandatory. Good luck to you City of Cornwall Human Resources/Hiring Department, Good luck!
Granny no notice was given the media – or at least this media outlet
ACT as long as the same zeal is used against city managers as elected officials I have no issues. If however a few lower level employees are being used as an example; just before a council meeting; to pimp up the public opinion of a certain conflicted group of corrupt pudgies then…..
Does the city ever get credit for anything they do? It’s about time these types of behaviors are addressed and proper procedures taken. Why all the underlying assumptions and innuendoes?
If in fact these 5 are guilty and got caught with their hand in the cookie jar they deserve what is coming to them, no matter who they are. Enough is enough.
One can only get away with fooling their employer for so long……it always catches up to you.
“A reputation takes years to build and only moments to destroy.” Todd Lalonde is a man of character, integrity and honesty. He has spent his life building a solid reputation and promoting our city only to be confronted with such distrust at a moment when the public’s support is most needed. The public should refrain from judgement and condemnation until all the facts have been explained.
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is watching. Todd Lalonde is, in my opinion, a man of integrity.
If this story proves to be true then CFN is way ahead of the
SF with news for Corn taxpayers .
Is or was not Todd Lalonde a foreman with the City ?
Should anyone believe that no one on City Coun was aware that they had bad apples in the City employee group that weren’t working, better think again .
We all know the old story of one bad apple spoiling a barrel of apples that is also true with employees in the work force and if management knows about it and does nothing look out .
Kismet I agree. We tried calling, emailing,and FB to speak with Todd, but so far no luck. I’m sure the full truth will come out. Timing of this incident is a true red flag.
Stella you can’t support selective punishment. Half the fire department may have side businesses and even contracts with the city! We have a mayor and council who are literally bullying and using millions of dollars to push through their own silliness.
And we’re going to nail five city workers a few days before a month long break of council?
Mr. Sheppard and everybody here I see a lot of contract work being done much better than what city workers or those with the province could ever do and you talk about cleanliness and well done and hard workers. In the NCC park where we walk every morning garbage is picked up, trees are trimmed, as well as shrubs, benches and picnic tables are repaired and painted, grass is cut, and the list can keep on going on for a lot less money than what city workers can ever do. Here in Ottawa they contract out to a company called Caltrio and their work is superb. You couldn’t ask for a better company to look after your grounds and they look after hospital grounds and government grounds.
About the water system and sewer system you can leave that up to the city workers. The problem with city workers is that you have them all standing around and one man working and this same stupid thing is done right here in Ottawa.
Outside there is a truck – looks like a sewer system cleaning out the townhomes and driving us crazy with the noise.
This is truly amazing ! Think of it, “CFN” a one person media operation, that continuously beats up the local competition, time & time again ! Apart from being days ahead, of the group, on local news, “CFN’s stories provide depth & insight to the topic !
Yes, the editor, does also include his personal observations, in my opinion, this encourages the public to look at a different perspective ? You don’t have to agree !
In response to “A CONCERNED CITIZEN”,
“If this story proves to be true then CFN is way ahead of the
SF with news for Corn taxpayers”. Well my friend, it’s gotta be true, Seaway News just reported the story, a full day behind “CFN” ! lol
Keep up the good work Jamie.
Casper it looks like Seaway News just did a read and rip of our story. There’s no no material?
Thanks CFN for keeping us TAXPAYERS informed about the City of Cornwall Shenanigans
For anyone to describe Todd Lalonde as a man of “character, integrity, and honesty” is a personal friend who doesn’t truly know the true Todd. But you know what, that’s okay. It’s Todd, himself, who knows who he really is and what he has really done for a number of years. Own it, Todd. It’s all on you. God bless your family.
Could this be payroll dumping and good people got caught up in somebody’s bad attempt at ‘making a statement’? I hope there is a thorough investigation …. of the people who fired these guys.
Now Seaway News printed the story. Rick Shaver did not print that without knowing anything, not a chance. He knows the truth.
They tried Contracting out many years ago and it was cheaper for the City to keep the Service, thanks for your advice “jules” but it does NOT work ,Who you gonna call !
Perhaps city workers should be told that once they sign on to work
for the city that they are actually signing a CONTRACT to the
taxpayers to provide a days work for a days pay. In this way the
contract will specify the expectations and the consequences of
shaudiness(?) or incompetence or incomplete assignments as
reasons of immediate dismissal, as well of course that theft of
items as well of ‘time’.
What would happen if this story is NOT true ???
A lot of people will be eating their words ?
I think it’s horrible that the city is not disclosing details (not personal ones) or responding to media queries. Someone should be fired for that.
Amazing!….Go after the dispatch crew,….
but promote Jim Althouse to Supervisor in Lancaping after several formal complaints made about his “Double Dipping”
Operating his horticulture business daily on city time.
……and the beat goes on.
Baffled221
August 8, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Amazing!….Go after the dispatch crew,….
but promote Jim Althouse to Supervisor in Lancaping after several formal complaints made about his “Double Dipping”
Operating his horticulture business daily on city time.
……and the beat goes on.
We need more whisleblowers like you. Any other crap for the city personnel accountability cops?
Pizoli, who knows you better than your personal friends? Your comment is so ridiculous that you should be embarrassed to make public statements … ever.
The city owes no one answers on what transpired with these five employees. They are regular citizens working for the city and not elected officials………PERIOD!!! It is no one’s business and no one has the right to demand answers. It is a personal thing.
Gee……is there no privacy left in this city as far as regular citizens are concerned?
stellabystarlight, we have no privacy, we gave it up under the guise of terrorism.
You are absolutely right ‘stellabystars’ “The city owes no
one…details’ It is difficult however to not indicate high profile, well
known and or elected officials.
Stellabystarlight, you’ve got it all wrong! You and I pay for these abuses, the City of Cornwall is not a private enterprise…unless you do not pay our outrageous property taxes and you really do not care???
Since we are on the topic of time theft maybe the following question should be asked to the city, how many employees have other businesses on the side? That includes all departments especially parks, building, fire, city hall? funny how management nows about it and doesn’t do anything to them? Supervisors, Chris P ehhh. simply audit there phones and see how many is actually work related, or the tracking system to see how many visit customers or pick material while on the job. funny how they protect there own, management that is…. tis tis, be carful what you start because people are going to start talking!
Hey jules take a walk around our beautifull Lamoureux Park , the lawn is cut, flowers are weeded , trees are trimmed, and then take a walk to our other parks , grass is cut, splash pad working well, pinic tables , bathroom in park nice and clean, our bike paths trimmed and fixed, so what am I missing jules, ? tell me ?
@flyguy……the 5 people involved are hired by the city, they are regular citizens like you and I. If in fact it is true and they did lose their jobs because of wrongdoing, why does anyone have to know more….they will be gone, done.
Just because one is a tax payer it doesn’t give anyone the right to delve into another citizens business. This is a private matter that involves a citizen and the employer.
If in fact it is true and they got fired, there is nothing more to discuss. They got caught, they got fired what more is there to say or do? We should be praising the employer for correcting a wrong and taking action for the wrong doing…if there was one.
@ Elvis Aaron
Chris Perry and Jim Althouse are 2 of the cities top abusers, from doing outside work on city time or abusing their staff day after day, every single parks and rec employee have known this for years and years, here is the problem.
Richard Bourdeau has very little time left before he retires and does not give a rats ass how any work gets done, he has the do not disturb sign on his door every day.
Christine Lefebvre is the Manager all she has done is protect Perry and Althouse. She knows full well what these 2 do, have done yet lets abuse upon abuse carry on through out the day.
What brought things to light is the fact someone at the city took a stand on abuse and 5 people, yes, Todd Lalonde included got caught. Many are quick to get on board and kill the city because they are friends or family of Todd. How many would say the city was wrong if Todd’s name was not in the mix? In fact there would be more comments praising the city for firing 5 people for what was done.
There is a lot of abuse as we know that goes on at the city. Another problem? cover up after cover up as we know. Don’t think for one minute Mr. Lalonde is not using his political clout by now to get his job back, in fact he was scene at City Hall yesterday.
Re: cityBS
August 10, 2013 at 8:33 am
@ Elvis Aaron
If all you say is accurate and I/we have no reason to believe otherwise then just maybe the city has an obligation to the taxpayers to fire every relative ever hired when related to a boss, a co-worker, etc.
This would provide opportunities for those less connected but with more qualifications.
Is that basically what you are asking for? Were you a former applicant that got bumped for the reason of nepotism?
It is nice that you care but the why is in question here. If your comments were meant to be an authentic reason for review of the afore mentioned persons in your comment then one could say thanks for your whistle blowing.
No doubt CEO Norm Levac on down through to those who do the follow ups/reportings/sightings (if anyone really does beside John-Q-Public).
What no one needs now is a witch hunt. People can be considered nervous enough to be on their guard simply from all of these comments. What the city does not need is a tattle tale mentality harbouring on fear of someone always looking over our shoulders with note pad in hand.
The old saying of ‘a spade is a spade’ still holds true, implying a proof is a proof.
@Diddilysquat
What I say is accurate and no I did not apply for a position and failed to get because of nepotism. Names brought out was because people in parks and rec hate going to work everyday because of Perry and Althouse.
Richard Bourdeau and Christine Lefebvre have been told time and time again, nothing ever got done about it, in fact Althouse who was always on sick leave all of a sudden was cured when given the position he has today, how is that?? Perry was totally caught a few times in a city vehicle doing personal work and what happened? NOTHING.
Its not about firing every relative because many work hard, not any different in the private world who do the same. The honest people who work at the city have had it up to here, remember what happens to them when they become public about it? Managers well most of them including Bourdeau and Lefebvre protect the abusers.
Yard sales, garage sales, lending stuff out, borrowing equipment, vehicles, tools, working gear, supplies, booking ice time, floor time, doing personal work on personal properties, is all part of City of Cornwall employees helping themselves to profit. Pay attention next time you drive in Cornwall and see garage sales, yard sales, look at the stuff on the property and you know for a fact that the person having the yard sale is a City of Cornwall employee, they stole, borrowed, and are selling the City’s stuff and making extra money. Wow what great benefits they have! Why isn’t there an inventory clerk, a loyal and honest one, employed for the City? Managers, Assistant Managers and/or Human Resource staff, tighten it up, wake up or get out.