White Rock Coun. David Chesney has issued a public apology to Moby Dick Restaurant owner Yuriy Makogonsky for comments made on a social media site.
Makogonsky lodged an ‘ethics’ complaint June 7 with City CAO Guillermo Ferrero, claiming that comments posted by Chesney June 5 – under a photo of the restaurant on the Facebook group British Columbia Photos – were defamatory, untrue, and aimed at damaging his business.
In the original comments, Chesney had suggested that Moby Dick’s business had declined since the restaurant was sold to Makogonsky by its original owner, and recommended people visit another restaurant next door.
In the apology, emailed to Makogonsky on city letterhead on June 16 and published June 19 on Chesney’s Facebook page, Chesney said that, after reflection, he had removed his comments to the group.
READ ALSO: White Rock business launches ‘ethics’ complaint against councillor
“I now recognize and acknowledge that my comment was factually inaccurate and disrespectful,” Chesney wrote.
“For example, since taking over the business from the former owner almost 20 years ago, Mr. Makogonsky has operated the restaurant successfully and (it) has repeatedly been recognized by locals and visitors as a popular place to eat.”
Chesney also noted that the restaurant employs many local residents and pays taxes to the community.
“Therefore, I sincerely apologize to the Moby Dick Restaurant and its owner Yuriy Makogonsky and regret if my comments in any way jeopardized the reputation of the business or the wellbeing of his family and employees,” he wrote.
Makogonsky told Peace Arch News he felt that the apology satisfied terms he had discussed with Ferrero, subsequent to his complaint.
“If Coun. Chesney wants to promote any other business in White Rock, good for him,” he said. “But not at the expense of other businesses.”
alex.browne@peacearchnews.com
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