Bob Gale Resigns as Chair

Earlier in the day the Niagara Anti-Racism Committee accused him of owning Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler

After being appointed Niagara Regional Chair by the provincial government not long ago, Bob Gale has resigned. 

In his resignation letter, he states everyone knows he is a passionate historian with a broad collection of historical art and artifacts.  His collection includes anti-slavery letters from 1859, and history of Niagara Falls from 1685.  

He then writes "Today, a member of the communist party circulated a dated document that listed my name as the owner of a historical book found in many libraries".

He follows that indicating there are those in the Niagara community who have decided to stop at nothing in order to keep addiction to power and money, and want to paint a picture that is not true and hurtful to him, his family, and those who believe in the work he has started.

Earlier in the day on Wednesday, the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Committee condemned Gale, accusing him of buying and owning a copy of Mein Kampf, signed by Adolf Hitler, and the group demanded a public explanation and apology.

Furthermore, upon hearing of his resignation online, Regional Councillor Haley Bateman released a statement to Gale, and the premier, condemning Gale for blaming the communist party, and not accepting responsibility.

She adds his "constant fallback to saving taxpayers' money" is a constant retreat when things aren't going his way.  She also called him out for threatening her with an Integrity Commissioner investigation, based on what she says are false allegations, that she doesn't mention.

Here is Bob Gale's resignation.

Dear Minister Flack,

As a lifelong resident of Niagara, I was deeply honoured to take on the important work of being Chair of Niagara Region, and I took the responsibility to undertake a governance review seriously.

As everyone knows, I am a passionate historian with a broad collection of historical art and artifacts. My collection includes an 1859 letter from anti-slavery advocate John Brown, a letter from George Washington, a letter from Winston Churchill and Vatican archives. I also have a signed copy of the first book in 1685 about Niagara Falls by Father Hennepin.

Today, a member of the communist party circulated a dated document that listed my name as the owner of a historical book found in many libraries.

When I undertook the necessary work to start fixing the issues at the Niagara Region, there was a strong vocal minority who decided they would stop at nothing in order to keep their fiefdoms and addiction to power and tax dollars. They wish to paint a picture that is untrue and hurtful to my family, my friends, and those in Niagara that believe in the hard work I have undertaken.

This work is bigger than any one person, including me. This is about making the changes for the people of Niagara who desperately need and deserve change.

I want to thank the Regional staff for their dedication, and the Mayors who supported my recommendations. Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my position as Regional Chair of the Niagara Region, effective immediately.

The Churchill piece in my collection states the following: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” I hope that you will continue this path in support of taxpayers.