A prank by senior city hall managers so affected Glenn Howlett, London's general manager of community services, that he suffered heart palpitations, leading to ongoing stress leave from his job, The Free Press has learned. And a closed session of board of control yesterday shed little light on what, if any, disciplinary action the managers involved in the prank might face.

John Judson, Howlett's lawyer, confirmed for the first time that Howlett, a nearly 30-year veteran of city administration, had an electrocardiogram after the prank and was advised by his doctor to take time off.

Judson is the same lawyer retained by former acting city manager Jeff Malpass and former human rights specialist Catherine Burr, in both cases to negotiate departure settlements with the city.

Meanwhile, more details emerged about the nature of the prank that involved a "dummy resolution" sent to Howlett on Nov. 3 while he was vacationing with his wife in Banff, Alta.

Howlett, responsible for more than a third of the city's budget, including the welfare portfolio, and who oversees a staff of more than 400, was told he was required to present a report within two weeks on the city's corporate renewal plan, sources close to Howlett say.

The phoney resolution that appeared genuine and was certified by the clerk's office, prompted Howlett to make a frantic call to his staff, calling on them to start pulling together information required to meet the two-week deadline.

"It wrecked his vacation and is basically a breach of trust, a breach of ethics and a classic case of psychological harassment," a source said.

Howlett was also told former city manager George Duncan, who developed the plan, would be on a conference call to critique Howlett on his report.

The gag apparently persisted a full day after Howlett returned from vacation.

The corporate renewal plan has become a flashpoint that has pitted the city's two unions against city administration and council. It has also become the subject of an unfair labour practices complaint before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, to be heard Jan. 29.

The plan, based on a "team-building" concept, has been dismissed by the city's unions as a bid to circumvent workers' rights, weaken the union and jeopardize jobs.

Both Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco and Deputy Mayor Tom Gosnell had little to say yesterday about the Howlett controversy, citing confidentiality over a personnel issue.

Judson won't comment on what Howlett's intentions are.

But sources said controllers received a legal letter yesterday, setting out Howlett's account of the gag gone sour.

Both DeCicco and Gosnell said their top priority is to learn Howlett is well and willing to return to work.

Debate on the issue will resume at a special board of control meeting Monday before a city council session.

Howlett, who is paid more than $155,000 a year, has been off work since early November.

Meanwhile, a dozen local leaders in the community services field have spoken out in Howlett's defence, urging city administration to ensure Howlett's talents and experience aren't lost to city hall.

They made their comments in a letter to the editor in today's edition of The Free Press.