When Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa introduced his “Elect Respect” motion Sept. 16, residents could be forgiven for thinking it was satire. The call for greater civility in local political dialogue would carry far more weight if the mayor himself did not have a pattern of condescending and disrespectful exchanges with the very people he was elected to represent.
Respect cannot be selectively demanded — it must be practiced. And Zalepa’s record reveals a troubling double standard.
Take, for instance, his text to local realtor Tom Elltoft: “Where should I send your half of the bill for the Black lawsuit?”
It was not just a flippant remark. It was an unprofessional and deeply disrespectful attack on a resident, meant to intimidate and belittle. Coming from the town’s highest elected official, this is not the language of leadership — it is a verbal assault.
The incident is not an isolated one. Residents who have attempted to raise legitimate concerns about development, heritage or town hall transparency have too often been met with dismissive, patronizing responses. Instead of encouraging dialogue, Zalepa has developed a reputation for shutting it down, making people feel that their voices — and their right to question town decisions — do not matter.
And yet, here he is championing a motion called “Elect Respect.”
It is a classic case of “do as I say, not as I do.”
When politicians wrap themselves in the language of civility while continuing their own pattern of disrespect, the result is not unity but hypocrisy.
If Zalepa truly believes in electing respect, he should start by looking in the mirror. Respect is not earned through motions passed in council chambers — it is earned through conduct, tone and example. A mayor who publicly belittles residents cannot turn around and claim the moral authority to police the behaviour of others.
Words matter, but actions matter more. Until the lord mayor holds himself to the same standard he prescribes for others, “Elect Respect” will remain what it currently is: a hollow slogan, and frankly, a joke.
