As a municipal politician, Councilor Virginia Ridley knows not everyone will agree with her all of the time, but never did she think her stance on an issue would lead to a death threat.
The Ward 10 councillor is opening up about an anonymous threat that was mailed to her home and city hall office in May.
"I was quite frankly shocked," said Ridley. "There was certainly some fear as intended, but I was just so taken aback that I would receive anything like this. It wasn't anything I ever expected to have to encounter."
The threatening letter sent to Councilor Virginia Ridley. Submitted photo.
The author of the letter expressed his/her frustration with Ridley's backing of a controversial proposal to remove the cap on the number of taxi licences the city issues as part of the vehicle for hire bylaw.
"If you decide to go ahead and ruin our lives you may as well prepare your grave too, I swear to God that I will make sure that the bullet goes between your eyes and that you are dead," the letter stated.
The letter continued to say there was no point in going to the authorities, as "extreme care" had been taken not to leave any fingerprints or trace evidence.
"Protection was used from start to finish. No finger was laid on a paper, envelope or stamp, and no information is neither saved anywhere nor shared with anyone." the letter concludes.
Ridley did, however, go to London police about the threat.
"I know they are continuing to follow-up on leads and they are actively investigating," said Ridley. "I have no doubt that they will find the person responsible."
When asked about the investigation, Constable Sandasha Bough said they are unable to speak to investigations unless charges are laid.
Ridley was the only member of council to receive the threat and finds it additionally concerning that one of the letters was sent to her house, where her nine-year-old son retrieved it from the mailbox.
"We expect to have people disagree with us. There is no one that I think would say they agree with 100 per cent of everything that I do," said Ridley. "So I expect to have people call, email and write letters that disagree, but the threat of violence is something that I just wasn't prepared for and I don't think has a place in our society."
Despite the death threat, Ridley has no intention of backing down from her position on the proposed changes to the vehicle for hire bylaw.
"I've really based my stance on discussions I have had with drivers, owners, brokers, the community and really all of the stakeholders," said Ridley. "I won't let a threat coerce or entice me to do something. If anything it has solidified that I am doing the right thing."
City council is set to revisit the vehicle for hire bylaw Tuesday.
As a precaution, Ridley has taken extra steps to tighten security around her home.
