Editor’s note: This Letter to the Editor was written and submitted by a reader. The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of Hometown News or its staff.
Resident calls for action in Rideau Lakes Township after council disputes
To the Editor:
In Rideau Lakes Township, council passed a motion by a slim 5-4 vote to allocate $20,000 for unspecified legal expenses. It appears that this simple majority intends to use those funds to target a minority of councillors. Those councillors will have no recourse except to hire their own lawyers at personal expense. Is this even legal? Isn’t that what an integrity commissioner is for? If not illegal, it is certainly unethical, and it sets a dangerous precedent for other municipalities across the province.
Much of the current turmoil stems from an earlier Integrity Commissioner (IC) decision regarding five councillors who turned their backs on a delegate during a presentation to council. The IC found that four of the five had contravened the code of conduct and recommended that they apologize to the delegate, Ms. Wendy Alford. Under the Ontario Municipal Act, the IC may only recommend a reprimand or a suspension of pay. Yet some of the majority councillors voted that they would not even have to apologize.
The fifth councillor, Jeff Banks, was cleared because he said he was “afraid the delegate would spit on him.” There are many reasons why this is a questionable excuse. The incident was referred to the Ontario Ombudsman, where our contact was Rhiannon Nicolaou.
Now the majority group has filed multiple IC complaints against minority councillors, recommending harsher penalties: from 15 days’ pay to 90, and even suspensions from committees. The Oct. 6 council meeting descended into chaos and ended early, with the OPP called to the township office.
Many residents of Rideau Lakes Township, myself included, believe this council should be dissolved and a new election called to fill the remainder of the current term and the next. This would prevent additional costs to taxpayers and restore confidence in local government.Sincerely,
Robert Butcher
Rideau Lakes
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