A 60-year-old Innisfil man has been charged with assault and uttering threats after an incident that took place last Wednesday night at Town Hall.

South Simcoe Police Service issued a press release at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2, that stated “On June 25, 2009, the South Simcoe Police Service received a complaint with respect to an assault that occurred on June 24, 2009 at approximately 9 p.m. at a municipal building located on Innisfil Beach Road in the Town of Innisfil.

As a result of a police investigation, a 60-year-old Innisfil male has been charged with one count of assault and one count of uttering threats.”

The release did not name the individual being charged. Staff Sgt. Lisa Hunt said the South Simcoe Police Service has a policy of not releasing the names of those charged with a crime.

A check with the Barrie Courthouse clerk’s department at 4:15 p.m. Thursday revealed the police information had not yet been entered into the system.

The charges relate to an incident that took place during the June 24 Innisfil council meeting.

At one point, Mayor Brian Jackson called an impromptu recess after Coun. Bill Pring had proposed a motion calling for a new negotiating team to talk with Barrie over the January boundary realignment.

Pring’s new committee did not include Jackson.

Jackson, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope and Pring, went into a private room adjacent to the council chambers. A few seconds later, town staff, media and the audience were astounded to hear Jackson berating Pring.

“Just you stay in that f***ing chair and shut up,” Jackson was heard saying.

The mayor had forgotten to turn off a microphone attached to his lapel. Town CAO Larry Allison rushed into the room to turn off Jackson’s mic, but the damage had been done.

Pring reported to police the following day that there was more than a “verbal assault.”

Jackson denied there was physical contact between the two during his discussion with Pring, and it “was certainly not a tirade or lambasting” as the media reported.

“I want this investigated so we can move forward,” Jackson said.

The Journal reached Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope Thursday (July 2) afternoon.

“It’s the first I’ve heard about it,” Wauchope said about the charges being laid.

While Wauchope witnessed what transpired between Jackson and Pring, he said, “I can’t comment any more at this time.”

An August 6 court date in Bradford has been set.