A business owner is being accused of slander by the Town of Bancroft because of a sign in her window.
Tammy Vardy, owner of Tammy’s Family Hair Care, received a ‘cease and desist’ letter. The signs display CAO Hazel Lambe’s salary, which is made public every year through the province’s so-called Sunshine List. It also goes on to ask if she’s worth the over $101,000 she earns annually while residents’ water is being turned off.
The letter from the town’s legal counsel states the signs defame CAO Hazel Lambe. On top of taking down the signs, the letter also asks for an apology to Lambe by the end of today.
Vardy tells Moose FM she felt bullied and intimidated when she received the letter. She says this is not the first time the town has asked her to take down signs in her business’ window, pointing to an incident last year involving town staff. She says once she receives an apology for that incident, she will send one to the CAO.
Vardy also says she will only take down signs that could be taken as slanderous. But, she says she will also continue advocating for lower water and sewer rates in Bancroft, and sharing public information.
Bancroft Deputy Clerk Lianne Sauter says the town has a policy not to comment on pending legal matters.
