Coun. John Orlikow has lost the support of former Coun. Brenda Leipsic's family, who accuse him of taking credit for her work. (Julie Bell/CBC)

The children of the former City Coun. Brenda Leipsic, who died in 2008, say they're disgusted by the actions of the man who took her place at City Hall and are withdrawing their support for him in the upcoming election.

Greg and Tracy Leipsic say incumbent Coun. John Orlikow is claiming credit for work done by their mother, who served two years as councillor for the River Heights-Fort Garry ward before dying from cancer.

Those claims dishonour Brenda Leipsic's memory, say Greg and Tracy, who have shifted their support to Orlikow's opponent Michael Kowalson in the hotly contested ward.

"We have known John for a long time and supported him in the 2009 byelection, but we have been very disappointed in his performance and when he pulled this stunt we felt we could no longer hold our silence," Greg Leipsic stated in a release issued Friday.

Greg Leipsic said his mother's work and memory has been dishonourd by John Orlikow. (Julie Bell/CBC)

He made specific reference to a news release issued by Orlikow on Oct. 3. In it, Orlikow states he successfully lobbied the city to add $1.1 million to its 2011 Capital Plan for a study of a Waverley Street train crossing underpass and that he was surprised when he came to office that there were no funds dedicated to this project.

"His statement ignores the record. The city's 2007 Capital Budget shows clearly that, in fact, these funds were already dedicated for the study and it was Coun. Brenda Leipsic who had successfully lobbied for it years earlier," states the release from Greg.

"In taking credit for my mother's work, John Orlikow dishonours my mother's memory. It shows that he is not up to the standards set by her in representing the people of this ward.

Orlikow said he feels terribly for offending Leipsic's family.

"I have to give my sincerest and deepest heartfelt apologies to the Leipsic family. That is not what I intended," he said in an interview with CBC News.

"I am still continuing to strive to be half the councillor that Coun. Leipsic was."

But Greg Leipsic said the apology comes too late.

"When you put pen to paper and you start sending out press releases … and you have people phoning residents right where my mother lived and say that she did nothing — because that's what he's indirectly saying, that she did nothing — you can't take that back," he said.

Ward a lightning rod for controversy

There are less than two weeks to go until voters cast their ballots on Oct. 27. The River Heights-Fort Garry ward has been a lightning rod for controversy as of late, with Orlikow being accused of failing to properly consult residents on traffic-calming issues.

The city recently installed raised traffic circles in locations throughout the neighbourhood as well as a concrete barrier on Harrow Street, blocking vehicles from going between Academy Road and Wellington Crescent.

'The people in this ward would have been treated with more respect by my mother on these traffic issues.'—Greg Leipsic

Residents say the circles, in the middle of some intersections, are difficult to get around for transit buses and emergency vehicles, which could lead to dangerous delays. They will also affect snow-clearing equipment, residents say.

The Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities has also waded into the issue, saying people who are visually impaired have trouble crossing intersections with traffic circles.

On Friday, Greg Leipsic added his voice to the outcry, stating in the news release that, "the people in this ward would have been treated with more respect by my mother on these traffic issues."

Orlikow, has defended the circles, saying residents previously complained about speeding motorists, and the circles are an effective way to slow them down.

He has also filed a complaint with the city clerk's office, suggesting Kowalson may be violating election spending rules. Orlikow says a group calling itself Concerned Residents of River Heights (CRRH) is actually a front for Kowalson's campaign.

The group is distributing leaflets criticizing Orlikow and spearheading protests about the traffic circles.

Orlikow said Kowalson is violating spending rules because the leaflets are undeclared, off-book spending.