ELORA – Elora’s benefactors appear to no longer be in the charitable mood.
Emails circulating from Kat Florence Canada sent to community members, business owners and township staff said they will be pausing almost $3 million of projects planned in Elora to focus efforts on a “landmark legal journey” to tackle online bullying they claim has become defamatory to them.
Kat Florence Canada is an international jewelry design company owned by Elora native Kristy Hillis.
She and her husband Don Kogen have been buying historic buildings in downtown Elora including the Gorge Cinema, the Dalby House, the Metcalfe and the Elora Mews. The company planned to pay for new public washrooms on East Mill Street.
Kat Florence Canada also recently financed a large marketing campaign in the winter which drew large crowds to Elora and was met with both admiration for the increased business and criticism from claims of overcrowding, traffic, littering and a shortage of parking and public washrooms. Later in December, the township along with Kat Florence Canada took some measures to address these issues including a shuttle bus, more garbage pickup and an increased OPP presence.
Requests for comment from Kogen and Hillis were not immediately returned.
One email by Kogen and Hillis sent to some in the community said they have been targets of bullying and defamation on social media platforms which has escalated to a point where they feel they have to take action.
“We believe in freedom of speech but also in responsibility and accountability, especially when public statements harm individuals or businesses,” they wrote. “Based on our lawyers’ advice, we are pursuing legal action to address these defamatory actions and hold those responsible accountable.”
Specific people, social media groups or statements were not noted in either email seen by EloraFergusToday but Kogen wrote in one of them they will not only focus on bullies but “administrators who allow such behaviour to persist.”
“Those who initiate, participate in, or facilitate such behaviour may find themselves facing significant legal expenses as a consequence,” the email said.
A search of the province’s online justice services court case database found no lawsuits filed under the Kat Florence Canada name or by Kogen or Hillis.
They wrote they will be temporarily halting several public initiatives that were either funded or in discussion due to “ongoing legal proceedings.”
These projects listed were:
- $42,000 for Green Space repair
- $300,000 for Christmas lighting and grants
- $400,000 for public washrooms
- $1.5 million donation trust fund for infrastructure
- $70,000 shuttle from race way
- $100,000 Green Space garden care
- $500,000 marketing initiative
Centre Wellington spokesperson Kendra Martin said in an email the township had just become aware of this matter and is reviewing it.
The email said they will continue to support the Village of Lights events running through the winter.