Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Mayor Arie Hoogenboom received two 90-day suspensions, Coun. Marcia Maxwell received a 90-day and a 30-day suspension, and no vote was taken on sanctions for Coun. Ron Pollard before adjournment.
CHANTRY — Rideau Lakes council’s Oct. 6 meeting collapsed midway through the agenda after a string of heated exchanges over seven Integrity Commissioner (IC) reports; four involving Mayor Arie Hoogenboom and three tied to two current councillors and one former member.
The evening began with Rideau Lakes council voting to move the IC reports to the top of the agenda so Coun. Jeff Banks could leave early. When pressed for a reason, Coun. Paula Banks said he needed to prepare for a colonoscopy.
What followed was nearly two hours of debate, interruptions, raised voices and amending motions that ended with staff walking out and the meeting being shut down by the CAO.
Hoogenboom reports lead the night
The first four reports dealt with complaints against Mayor Hoogenboom. For these items, Deputy Mayor Deborah Hutchings took over as chair.
In one case, the IC found that the mayor breached confidentiality rules by sharing details of an ongoing investigation. Another found that he disclosed information discussed in a closed session. Both resulted in reprimands.
A third report dealt with a comment the mayor made before a Rideau Lakes council meeting that the IC described as “inappropriate.” The remark, referencing “Old Spice,” was made in front of staff and at the expense of Hutchings, who has a severe fragrance allergy.
“I accept that my joke was inappropriate,” Hoogenboom told council. “I made a personal apology and I’m prepared to accept the penalty that’s recommended.”
The IC recommended a three-day suspension of pay, but after an emotional statement from Hutchings describing her past near-death experience and ongoing health impacts, Rideau Lakes council voted to increase the penalty to 90 days.
Council also voted to increase a second suspension for the mayor, originally recommended at seven days, to 90 days, bringing his total suspension of pay to 180 days across two IC reports.
“Money means nothing compared to life,” Hutchings said. “I’m asking that you lose 90 days. That’s a small price to pay for life. What’s my life worth to you?”
The motion to amend that penalty was passed by councillors Hutchings, Paula Banks, Jeff Banks, Sue Dunfield and Linda Carr.
County and board roles questioned
The discussion about the mayor’s external appointments arose during debate on the fourth IC report, which found that Hoogenboom had incorrectly stated he had provincial backing for his veto powers and had revealed that a complaint against him existed during a May 26 meeting. The IC recommended a reprimand with no suspension of pay, as he’d already apologized for and clarified his actions.
Paula Banks urged Rideau Lakes council to go further, suggesting the mayor be removed from his seats on the councils of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and the Police Services Board.
“We cannot continue to let the mayor claim he’s the victim,” she said. “I believe council should issue a public reprimand to the media outlets where he has shared false and misleading statements.”
Other councillors questioned whether the township has the authority to remove a sitting mayor from those external posts. The issue was deferred pending outside advice.
Rideau Lakes council divisions flare again
As discussion moved to the remaining reports involving Councillors Marcia Maxwell, Ron Pollard and former councillor Joan Delaney, tempers flared.
Pollard summed up the frustration. “Whatever happens, happens. However, I think we’re doing an injustice to our municipality as a whole. This is a disgrace; nothing short of a disgrace,” he said. “We’ve got (seven) friggin’ Integrity Commissioner reports on here at one time, one meeting.”
Maxwell received a total of 120 days of suspension without pay; 90 days for one and 30 for another after Rideau Lakes council voted to increase both penalties. This related to her role in voting to increase the monetary penalty on the Bankses earlier in the year for turning their backs on a delegation.
The same five councillors voted for the amended sanctions, and this motion also passed.
Debate over sanctions for Pollard was still underway when the meeting abruptly adjourned, and no final vote was taken. Carr sided with Pollard, saying she was going to back him as he had supported her when she was under investigation this term. The amended motion to increase his penalty did not pass.
Delaney was found to have breached the code of conduct but faced no penalty, as she is no longer in office.
Two gallery outbursts and a sudden shutdown
Tensions in the gallery mirrored the anger around the table.
Early in the proceedings, a man stood and shouted toward Rideau Lakes council, “You people are a disgrace! You’re ruining this township!” before directing, “You should be ashamed of yourself!” at Hutchings. She rose from her chair and went to speak with the man before staff intervened and escorted him from the chamber.
Nearing the end of the IC reports, Rideau Lakes Grassroots member Wendy Alford stood and shouted, “I can’t take any more of this. I’m done, I’m gone!” before walking out.
Moments later, CAO Shellee Fournier nodded to Clerk Mary Ellen Truelove across the table, unplugged her laptop and declared, “Meeting adjourned,” citing toxicity in the workplace.
Hutchings dialled 911, saying she had been verbally attacked, as Hoogenboom told her to hang up.
The mayor said unfinished agenda items will return at the next regular council meeting, before the livestream went dark.
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