To the Editor,
I am in total disbelief and appalled at what I have witnessed and am experiencing as a lifetime resident of Haldimand County.
Here’s the Coles Notes version to help you better understand this nightmare: what should have been a simple speeding ticket on a previously clean driver’s record, paying the fine, incurring a few points, perhaps an increase in insurance, and going on with life … turned into a nightmare because of Haldimand County’s errors and failure to correct them.
Haldimand County placed two false convictions in 2018 on a clean driver’s record and did not notify the citizen (Jesse Little) as legally required. The failure to correct this ultimately created a false driver’s suspension. The false convictions were only removed in 2020 after Jesse’s constant investigations, while denying Jesse communications on this issue and having Jesse removed from the County building while asking for documentation. Jesse’s car was taken off private property on the false driver suspension. Jesse is without a vehicle now because of this.
Because of this harrowing experience, Jesse ran as Ward 4 candidate to prevent others from ever going through this. Jesse’s growing support of many citizens, who are also disgusted with their interactions with Haldimand County, contacted the County for answers. This brings us to Haldimand County publishing a public statement on June 20, 2024 against a single citizen – Jesse Little (my son) – on their website as a “response to the public.”
Their statement appears to be misleading the public and also appears to further defame and discredit Jesse.
Unfortunately, the words being printed and also being verbally spoken by “authoritative figures, leaders, or County representatives” tend to be accepted and trusted as “the truth” by many citizens (especially if it is from someone they know, supported, or who goes to their church).
Alarming thought: is this how our authoritative figures, leaders, and Haldimand County representatives are running our county? Transparency?? Accountability?? Truth?? This could happen to you or your family for no other reason than perhaps Haldimand County making another “minor administrative error” as they claimed.
At a past council meeting with delegates Gordon Cameron and Tara Lindemann (reporter), Tara stated to council that it looks like you’re targeting one person. Jesse was also removed for sitting quietly with a sign on his lap observing a council meeting and Haldimand called police on him – in contrast, Haldimand Press reported “supporters loudly booed or cheered” (and also waved signs) disrupting the Bobbi Ann ban council meeting and yet no one was ever removed or had police called on them.
This is merely a short list of what has happened and continues to happen today. It does not even come close to convey the breadth and scope of the injustices placed on Jesse Little by Haldimand County’s continued actions and inactions.
I am asking that all Haldimand councillors, staff, mayor, and CAO be made accountable, transparent, and in compliance with their roles, their duties, and the law.
I am asking all concerned citizens to urge the same: publish a full factual report regarding Haldimand County’s published statement.
Mary Little,
Cayuga
