Wabush mayor upset with personal attacks in tough times

Times are tough in western Labrador, and the mayor of one of the area's towns is saying that his constituents have been extra tough on him. 

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Wabush Mayor Colin Vardy said he's been bullied and personally attacked and it is taking a toll on him.

"I had one call there last week that they suggested that the mine is closed, the pensions are gone, the benefits are gone, there's health care problems and that here, and that's all my fault," he said. 

"They can't wait for my term to be over. [They said] nobody's going to vote for me, you're a terrible mayor, you're a terrible person."

Vardy said he felt for the individual who called him, and understands that people are struggling in western Labrador, however he didn't appreciate the personal attacks.

'If I didn't care, I wouldn't be at this'

He said that he has been told that the issues in Wabush are because he doesn't care about the community, but that's not the case.

"For somebody to say that I don't care, or council doesn't care, even the employees don't care, it's hurtful," Vardy said. 

If you look at politics, bullying is rampant in politics.- Wabush Mayor Colin Vardy

"If I didn't care, I wouldn't be at this."

He said that he works hard for Wabush, and while he is paid for his work, he only makes pennies on the dollar for the time and effort that he puts in. 

Vardy said the job is stressful and hard on his family, but the bullying he receives makes it even more difficult. He said he was recently called fat on social media while discussing a municipal issue.

"If you look at politics, bullying is rampant in politics, I've seen it in the House of Assembly first hand, I've seen it around the council chambers, and I'm seeing it now in the community," Vardy said. 

"I grew up in a situation where I was heavily bullied and it doesn't sit squarely with me."