Meaford Council candidate James McIntosh has gone public this morning with a threat that he has received from a former partner in a business of which he is now a partner.
The threat to reveal details of what the former partner says is an unpaid loan made to Scotch Mountain Meats Inc. is aimed at discrediting McIntosh's credibility and undermining his campaign.
“I have been recently threatened with what can only be referred to as blackmail by an individual who feels that my candidacy for council should be questioned due to my involvement in a local business. From 2007 to the present, I have been the Director of Operations with Scotch Mountain Meats Inc, a Meaford-based company,” McIntosh says in his media release, “Unfortunately, an ongoing dispute between the company and two former shareholders has resulted in those shareholders calling into question my personal credibility and suitability for the role of Councillor for the Municipality.”
McIntosh became a Director in the company in 2007, one month before the former partner left the company. According to McIntosh the loan in question was made prior to his joining the company, and at the time he was not involved in or aware of the details.
McIntosh says in the release that though he holds the position of Director of Operations with Scotch Mountain Meats, he has never received any financial remuneration, and he continues to work for the company without compensation as it rebuilds after a difficult financial period which saw the company on the brink of collapse in 2007.
McIntosh also says that he is not involved at all with the financial side of the operation and has no authority to settle financial disputes on behalf of the company.
“Recently, one of the former shareholders contacted me raising the issue of the alleged loan. He indicated his intention to attend the all-candidates meeting in Woodford, apparently with the objective of raising issue with my suitability to hold office. I was asked whether I intended to “correct [the] situation” prior to the two shareholders attending the Woodford meeting,” said McIntosh, “I have since advised the disgruntled former shareholder that while it is unfortunate that he has a dispute with Scotch Mountain Meats Inc., the genesis of the dispute pre-dated my arrival with the company. Moreover, my position with the company relates to marketing, brand management, and promotion – I am not involved in the financial management of the company, nor do I possess any authority to settle financial disputes on the company’s behalf.”
Contacted this morning shortly after the media release was issued, McIntosh told The Independent that he decided to go public with the threat he has received because he has done nothing wrong.
“I haven't done anything wrong, and I am not going to hide from accusations that are without merit,” said McIntosh.
In the media release McIntosh says that the alleged loan was made prior to his involvement in the company and was made without the knowledge or approval of any of the other directors at the time. McIntosh says that he did not become aware that the former shareholders were alleging they were owed money until after he joined the company.
“I can assure you now, that no such actions of mine with regard to my business relationship with Scotch Mountain Meats Inc. constitutes a lack of credibility, nor any example of a lack of moral character, but rather the exact opposite. Whether in my personal life or my professional life, I strive to act in the best interests of others and foster a community of trust and respect,” says McIntosh, adding “I feel that any issue, in business, politics, or in personal life should be addressed head on, and with complete candour. As such, it is my duty to myself, my family, and those who support my candidacy to clarify the current situation.”
The candidate also indicates that he isn't going to let this situation put a damper on his campaign for a seat on Meaford council.
“It disappoints me that a dispute which is unrelated to my business practices or my qualifications for office is being used to undermine my candidacy. I am proud of my connections to Meaford and know I will serve local residents well and with pride.”
