By Rosalind Russell – The Integrity Commissioner for the Township of the North Shore has found no grounds to proceed against two councillors in two unrelated cases.
In the first case, IC Tony Fleming states Councillor Howard Green did not breach the Code of Conduct when he had a conversation with two members of the staff on May 10th.
Staffers stated he had raised his voice, asked to be respected several times and made a sudden movement towards one of the staff.
Fleming says the action did not satisfy the requirement that his actions were considered intimidation, so there was no breach of the Municipal Code of Conduct.
The second involved looking into two complaints of an allegation that Councillor Richard Welburn had a conflict of interest in connection with the Cookhouse Boat Launch.
Fleming says the issue arose when Welburn found out that a gazebo was being considered for the launch area where he parks his vehicle.
Fleming says it was alleged that Welburn failed to declare a pecuniary interest in using his influence for personal gain to have the gazebo project rejected and avoid bylaw control of the launch.
However, Fleming emphasized there is no proof the boat launch is owned by the township and so it is private in nature, therefore there is no conflict under the Municipal Act and no municipal control over its usage leading him to dismiss that complaint as well.
He also cautioned council that even when complaints are investigated and dismissed, there is a cost to the municipality, and the council should be diligent in the understanding of what is and is not a valid complaint before submitting it for investigation.
The township has spent nearly $40,000 investigating complaints in 2024, $30,000 over its budget, so they will be looking into more training and ways to improve staff and council relations.
Screenshot by Rosalind Russell
Submit News Tip
