In an average municipal council meeting on Wednesday, discussions hovered around prosaic issues, such as regulations governing posters on utility poles in Barrie. However, beneath the ordinary surface, the conversation was instigated by a controversy that had occurred a week prior. This issue had inflamed passions across social media platforms, raising to the surface an incident within the Barrie Business Improvement Area (BIA), sparking an internal investigation.
At the heart of the matter was a video that had surfaced on social media, featuring a tense confrontation involving Sarah Jensen, a board member of the Barrie BIA. Jensen had been accosted by a civilian for removing posters depicting Israeli nationals kidnapped during an October 7 attack orchestrated by Hamas. The video had ignited substantial discontent and outrage across the online community.
Addressing the incident in an email sent on Thursday, Jensen confessed, “While faced with an overwhelming number of posters of the kidnapped victims in downtown Barrie, I acted impulsively, removing some of them.” She added, “A confrontation and subsequent filming ensued. My actions were not motivated by any animosity, but I acted hastily, failing to foresee my actions potentially hurting the Jewish community in our city. For that, I feel deep remorse.”
Jensen apologized to all those who might have felt distressed or threatened by her rash unthinking actions, including direct apologies to the victims’ families. She acknowledged the inherent divisiveness of her actions and expressed regret over escalating an already volatile situation.
City Councillor and fellow Barrie BIA board member, Craig Nixon, reiterated the gravity with which the BIA was treating the incident. “An internal investigation is currently underway to thoroughly understand the matter which extends into human resources. The outcome would determine if any remedial actions are warranted,” assured Nixon.
The incident triggered a more substantial debate at the Wednesday council meeting, culminating in a decision to remove all posters and signs from utility poles, irrespective of their content.
Speaking to this new course of action, City Clerk Wendy Cook explained the city by-law prohibits signs from being posted on utility poles except under strict conditions. “Unless a health and safety concern arises, or the poster interferes with the operation of the utility pole, it won’t be summarily removed,” she stated.
In closing, Jensen emphasized her indiscretions were personal and did not reflect the position of the Barrie BIA, its board, members, or staff. She expressed, “Frustration and a sense of helplessness led me to act without forethought. My deepest apologies to all affected parties. Peace, an immediate cessation of hostilities, and safe return of the hostages is what we should collectively aspire towards.”
