Brockton Mayor Charlie Bagnato is upset at reports of two recent attacks in Walkerton which could be racially motivated.
“This is very, very disconcerting. I hope we find out it’s not (racially related),” he said when told of the events.
The WHT heard a report of two separate incidents involving two employees of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre. The first, allegedly took place in the early evening of Monday, Aug. 16 when a visible minority man was assaulted in an apartment building in Walkerton.
Larry Moore, CEO of the WCWC, confirmed the attack. “I don’t understand the motive at this time but one person was arrested,” he said, adding that the accused was granted bail later in the week.
However, Moore did not have any information on a second alleged incident where another visible minority employee was verbally assaulted at the laundromat in Walkerton. He said he had checked with his managers and no one has reported anything.
“I didn’t hear about that one,” he said.
Moore said it would be disappointing if race was a factor. “We have a very diverse work force here and we want to celebrate a diverse community,” he said.
Bagnato agreed.
“I don’t like hearing about any assaults. We don’t have many in Brockton, but if this was racially motivated, it’s unacceptable,” he said.
As of press time Tuesday morning, Kevin Martin, media relations officer for the South Bruce OPP, said there has been no official report filed for either incident, and as such, could not offer comment.