Vice Chair of the "Stink Letter" Newmarket Library is the Executive Director of Local Homeless Shelter

I want to send out a note of support to the employees of the Newmarket Public Library who are merely trying to do their jobs as best they can.

I couldn't imagine how embarrassing it would be to have someone approach you with a letter informing you that other people are complaining about your body odor. But I have to empathize that it must be equally awkward for the individual who is required to deliver that message too.

Don't blame these library employees folks. Instead, let's turn our attention on the policymakers for the Newmarket Public Library. The Newmarket Public Library Board has been mostly silent while employees are being vilified in the media, with the CEO stating he would be taking a "hiatus" from Twitter.

The Newmarket that I know is a great community. Our local churches engage in helping the less fortunate. Citizens come out in droves to fund raise for Syrian refugees or Belinda's Place homeless shelter. What a slap in the face it is for all the dedicated volunteers who work with the less fortunate and those who donate money to this cause to see our local government enforce such a socially offensive "stink" policy at one of our public buildings.

So who is behind this policy?

Tom Vegh - Ward 1 Councillor, Vice Chair of the Newmarket Library Board, and Executive Director of the Inn From the Cold homeless shelter.

Kelly Broome Plumley - Ward 6 Councillor and a former recipient of the Neighborhood Network's Character Community Award. She is also a member of the Newmarket Library Board.

Joe Sponga - Represents the ward in which the Newmarket Public Library is situated and also sits on the Newmarket Library Board. In 2014, Joe Sponga contemplated running for the NDP in Newmarket Aurora.

Knowing the people behind the "stink" controversy at the Newmarket Public Library reminds me of the Valley of the Hypocrites in Dante's Inferno. These damned souls were condemned to wear beautiful, dazzling coats that were lined with lead which weighed them down and prevented them from spiritually progressing.

Isn't that an appropriate metaphor for our Council members who rush in for every photo opp to appear to be doing great things in our community? But behind the scenes and away from the camera flashes, they are ordering Newmarket employees to hand out "stink" notices to humiliate those very same people they are supposedly helping.

And just like a coat of lead, such action really does prevent our local government from having a real effect on helping the people in need.