Note: Keith Jacklin is a Shelburne businessman who claims he has been unfairly treated by Shelburne Mayor Alan Delaney and council and has been the subject of racial slurs by the mayor. A trial in which the racial slurs were to be a contested issue was canceled suddenly and unexpectedly earlier this month. This letter is in response to two separate - but almost identical - news and editorial items featuring mayor Delaney in this week's Coast Guard
Mayor Delaney says, "I categorically deny the accusations [of racial slurs] and can offer records and witnesses that can support my contention, that the claims are false."
Here are the facts:
- the fact is that mayor did use this racial slur...
- the fact is that there was only the mayor and myself present
- the fact of that matter is that the mayor has no proof, record or witnesses that he did not make the racial slur
- the fact is nor do I have any proof, records or witnesses that he did.
So the fact that the mayor's claim, that he can offer records and witnesses, who will support his contention that the claims are false is nothing but more lies on top of lies, all done in an attempt to misdirect, make the mayor look good by doing some damage control and PR.
However, since this matter has become public, I have been approached by a couple of credible sources, who have heard mayor Delaney use the "N- word" and other racial slurs frequently in conversation.
The mayor comments on court documents, which is a play at more misdirection. No one ever claimed that the mayor was accused by the courts of racial slurs. The fact of that matter is, after leaving court that day, I went to the RCMP, to inquire about charges, where I was informed that there is no criminal charge for racial slurs.
- the fact is, no one is claiming that I was charged with bullying.
- the fact is, that I have been a victim of discrimination, bullying and harassment by town officials.
- the fact is, that I was charged with causing a disturbance in the town hall by the RCMP
- the fact is I did not cause a disturbance
- the fact is mayor Alan Delaney filed false information with the RCMP in order to defame my character and have me charged.
- the fact is the mayor's own office staff members, were in court to that day to refute the mayor,s claims that I was loud violent and that the office staff was feared of their safety of me.
This is some of what the mayor reported to RCMP.
The mayor goes onward in his Coast Guard Article to say that, in addition to attacking him personally, SCT publisher Timothy Gillespie needlessly mentioned and upset his wife.
For the record, the fact is, that it is the mayor himself who needlessly made mention and brought his wife into the matter.
The fact to that statement is, two months after the racial slur incident in the mayors yard, his wife give a statement to the RCMP in defense of the racial slur, and to how polite the mayor was to me.
In her CD disclosure statement, that I listened to, she clearly states that she did not hear everything that was said.
The real question here is, why would the mayor bring his wife into a matter where the charges revolved around only what took place at the town office, as she definitely was not there?
At that point in time, the cat was not out of the bag regarding racial slurs-hmmmmmmm?
Sounds to me like the mayor was trying to prep a witness [being his wife] for what he knew and suspected was yet to come, "the matter dealing with racial slurs."
The fact is, Timothy Gillespie did not bring the mayors wife into anything, he only reported on the facts of the matter.
The mayor thinks that his wife was upset because of Timothy's actions. The mayor only seems to be concerned as to what matters to him, and not the community in general.
How upset does the mayor think that I felt, because of his actions when I saw boulders across the only LEGAL right of way to my home?
The mayor also makes comment on legitimate public debate. I would love to have legitimate public debate with the mayor, regarding a complete airing of the facts of the town officials' handling of the matter.
Regarding legal action against Timothy, I quote Mayor Delaney's words "it would take town resources away from other initiatives currently being pursued by council."
More damage control. Mayor Delaney seemed to have no problem wasting resources during his lengthy harassing and bullying of me and lining the town solicitor's pockets with tax payers dollars, in order to continue onward with their bogus land claim and dropping boulders off to block my right of way.
Nor did Mayor Delaney and council, have any problem wasting $9000 dollars closing my business on Falls Lane, which in fact, they gave me permission to operate.
Please understand that now that the mayor has put his letter of lies in the paper, not only am I going to respond in the Coast Guard, but each week as I can, I am going to come forth with facts, regarding the mayor and officials handling of the matter as well as the facts regarding the town solicitor's handling of the matter.
Keith Jacklin
Shelburne, Nova Scotia
Comments
The time comes when the average person becomes really sick of those who are elected to serve the people decide instead to abuse their positions. There was a time when they could get away with it because people were nervous about upsetting the status quo. All of that has change, and the people who pay the salaries of those they elect are no longer willing to do that when the elected officials begin to think that laws no longer apply to them. People do realize that if you do not stand up for your neighbour, YOU could be next. I would be rather nervous if I were in an elected position and had used the power of that position to treat someone else unfairly.
Good luck Mr. Jacklin.