CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Alyssa Wright denied any connection to The Biased Scribe Twitter account. Instead, Ms. Wright told BarrieToday that Engage Barrie had nothing to do with the Twitter account. We apologize for the misunderstanding.
Coun. Robert Thomson says he won’t take part in Sunday’s Ward 5-8 all-candidates meeting because it’s organized by Engage Barrie and its chair Alyssa Wright.
“I won't be participating in the candidate panel,” Thomson said in an e-mail to Engage Barrie. “Not because I am acclaimed (in Ward 5 for the Oct. 24 city election), but because I will not give credibility to Alyssa's harassment of me and my colleagues over the years from the Biased Scribe troll account.
“I will never believe in Engage Barrie as long as Alyssa is involved,” Thomson added in his email. “There are a few members of this organization that live in my ward, who are the (epitome) of this organization’s name, engaging in thoughtful dialogue for a better outcome for our city, who I have respect for and will continue to engage with moving forward.
“I support accountability, not toxicity."
Wright could not be reached for comment Thursday, although she said by e-mail that BarrieToday’s request had been passed on to Engage Barrie’s board of directors for response. An Engage Barrie representative said they were unavailable for comment Thursday.
Wright came under fire earlier this week when Coun. Natalie Harris called her out for alleged social media harassment and verbal abuse.
Wright has denied the claims to BarrieToday.
“It is frustrating and disappointing that all the incredible work of a local, grassroots organization is being cast into question by a political satire account that has absolutely nothing to do with that organization — the Biased Scribe is not associated with Engage Barrie Organization,” Wright wrote in an e-mail to BarrieToday on Tuesday. “It existed long before Engage Barrie, and is not affiliated or endorsed in any way by Engage Barrie Organization.”
But Thomson has said he believes there's a connection and points to a tweet about his pronunciation of the word “library” at a meeting.
It reads on the Biased Scribe feed: “Thomson - doesn’t like the 15% deduction, want to see another30%. When you first came to us about the ‘LIBERRY’, you said you could do it without staffing (Really? How does that work illiterateMan?).”
BarrieToday asked Thomson how he felt about the Biased Scribe emphasizing his mispronunciation of the word library.
“I think it’s petty,” he said. “I think it actually shows that it’s just a way of a personal attack and for an organization that truly says that they care about the care and compassion of people, that was a mispronounced word and I really, I find it very hypocritical.
“Imagine if there’s people out there who are illiterate or have a deficiency and you have organizations that claim that they’re for inclusivity (doing that).”
Thomson was asked if he was being bullied.
“I am not bullied,” he said. “I understand being a public figure that you’re open for conversation, sometimes unwarranted, but bullied? No, not one iota.”
Thomson was also asked if he believes Wright is the Biased Scribe.
“I think they’re one and the same,” he said. “I think Alyssa Wright is a member of Engage Barrie, so sometimes an organization, just somebody does something, the whole organization wears it.”
Coun. Sergio Morales has said he has been targeted as well.
“I’ve also been consistently berated by Alyssa Wright for years,” he said. “Not on my votes or political decisions, but on my hair, on the city I was born in, demeaning me with the nickname ‘skippy’. I’m unsure if that was a racial thing or not, swearing at me and falsely accusing me of being sexist and ‘man explaining’ (to) the Barrie chief of police when I was asking her (Kimberley Greenwood) questions during budget.”
Morales also said he will not be participating in Engage Barrie’s all-candidates debate, for Wards 9 and 10, which is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2 from 4-6 p.m.
“Needless to say, I will not be attending the Ward 9 candidates Zoom’s panel if Engage Barrie is involved,” he said. “And I encourage all candidates, especially female candidates and those that are not currently on council, to join me in my decision.”
Engage Barrie is co-hosting a mayoral candidates forum on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army Citadel on Lillian Crescent.
It’s also hosting all-candidates meetings for each Barrie ward, by Zoom, until mid-October.
