Tensions rise as sanctions divide the Rideau Lakes council
“Evil triumphs when good people say nothing“
“Vindictive,” she called it, with “vicious behaviour.”
Wendy Alford said she’d had enough of council’s behaviour at the Oct. 6 regular meeting. So much so, she said as much and stormed out of the Rideau Lakes council chambers.
In an interview with Hometown News on Wednesday, Oct. 8, Alford didn’t hold any punches.
“This is about punishing them … mostly because of the mayoral veto on the Chantry retrofit. It’s nothing but vindictive, vicious behaviour towards their council colleagues and any other member of the public who chooses to stand up and call them out,” she said.
The 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 one.
Soon after the meeting ended abruptly, Alford posted a video online calling the sanctions “vindictive” and urging residents to contact provincial officials and township council to demand change.
“There were actually 12 [mayoral] allegations they decided to investigate. Seven were found to have no contraventions … and there were five contraventions,” Alford said in the video. “The three-day [Old Spice] penalty and the seven-day [voting outside authority] — they’ve now voted to penalize the mayor six months of pay for those two.”
“In Councillor Marcia Maxwell’s case, it was 90 days for one and 30 days for the second … she’s losing four months’ pay,” Alford added, noting that similar sanctions for Coun. Ron Pollard were still on the floor “when the wheels fell off the bus” and CAO Shellee Fournier ended the meeting “because of a toxic work environment.”
Rideau Lakes council ultimately imposed two 90-day suspensions on Mayor Hoogenboom, escalating the IC’s original recommendations of three and seven days. Maxwell received a 90-day suspension on one report and 30 days on another. The meeting adjourned before a final vote on penalties for Pollard.
The mayor’s financial penalty equals roughly $15,000 of his $29,479 annual honorarium for 2025. In 2024, Hoogenboom received $28,386 plus $766 for benefits, $172 for training and conferences, $8,054 for mileage, $1,176 for technology and $84 for other expenses, totalling $38,640.
For Maxwell, the financial penalty would be about $5,500, as her annual honorarium is $17,000, or about $46 a day.
Alford said her inbox “blew up” after the meeting, with residents expressing frustration and disbelief. She encouraged them to email Rideau Lakes council and to contact MPP Steve Clark and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack, saying she had already reached out to both offices. She added that her group is exploring what steps exist for earlier intervention or a new election before 2026.
‘I’ve had enough’
Resident Ken Maxwell also lost his cool during the meeting. He called out Deputy Mayor Deborah Anne Hutchings from the gallery before Alford’s outburst.
“I’m sorry, but this is enough bull—t,” he shouted. “I just cannot believe the behaviour of you five.”
As Hutchings rose from her seat, Maxwell said, “Debbie, sit down.”
“You don’t tell me what to do,” she fired back, walking toward him.
Maxwell repeated, “Sit down,” then added, “You’re an embarrassment as a councillor.”
A few more words were exchanged before Hutchings returned to her chair.
Maxwell then left the building.
When he spoke with Hometown News Wednesday, Maxwell said his phone hasn’t stopped ringing. He too received about two dozen phone calls.
“People thanked me for saying what needed to be said. It’s so frustrating to watch that behaviour. Evil triumphs when good people say nothing, and that’s what’s going on here.”
Maxwell, husband of Coun. Marcia Maxwell of the South Elmsley Ward, said he couldn’t stay silent while the mayor faced what he called “abuse from the table.”
“I just couldn’t listen anymore,” he said. “It was crazy … totally uncalled for. They weren’t letting up.”
He added that the constant amendments and escalating penalties are eroding public faith in local government. “It’s time the province looks at this council and steps in.”
What happened in the room
During debate on one report against Hoogenboom, Rideau Lakes council deferred discussion on whether the mayor could be removed from certain external appointments, opting to seek outside advice on the scope of the township’s authority regarding his seats on United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Council and the Police Services Board.
Before the final vote on Pollard’s sanctions, which mirrored those issued to Maxwell, CAO Fournier signalled to Clerk Mary Ellen Truelove and declared the meeting over as she turned off the overhead video screen, citing staff safety concerns as the atmosphere deteriorated.
Hutchings dialled 911. She told Hometown News on Oct. 8 that she acted for the safety of all concerned but did not elaborate further.
Police confirmed with this media outlet that they responded around 8 p.m. Oct. 6 and that no charges were laid.
Coun. Paula Banks pushes back
The morning after the meeting, Coun. Paula Banks posted a lengthy statement on Facebook defending her actions and those of her colleagues. She said Rideau Lakes council had “a duty to hold everyone to the same standards” and accused critics of “spreading misinformation.”
Banks wrote that she and others have been “personally targeted by political operatives” and vowed to “continue fighting for transparency and accountability,” adding that she would not be “intimidated into silence.”
Reactions keep coming
The debate has spilled online, where residents have described the Rideau Lakes council meeting as “embarrassing,” “a circus” and “a total meltdown.”
Others praised those who spoke out, saying “it’s about time someone called them out.”
One commenter wrote, “This is beyond politics now, it’s dysfunction. Nobody looks good in this.”
Still, others defended the council majority, arguing that “holding people accountable isn’t bullying,” and that “the mayor brought this on himself.”
What’s next
Unfinished agenda items, including any outstanding sanction votes and the follow-up on outside advice regarding external appointments, are expected to return at the next regular Rideau Lakes council meeting.
There is a lot on that agenda, including a bylaw to appoint a new treasurer, David Schur, as the municipality has been without one since March. Schur has been the deputy treasurer, and Sarah Dicaire will move into that role.
Rideau Lakes council coverage: Rideau Lakes meeting cut short after explosive debate on Integrity Commissioner reports
Keep connected with your community—Read the latest Rideau Lakes news.
For all council and committees meetings, visit the Rideau Lakes website.
