Council
approves hiring of integrity commissioner
Hoping to put Hydro matter to rest
By Hugo Rodrigues POLITICS REPORTER Woodstock
Sentinel Review
Monday April 09, 2007
WOODSTOCK- City council will hire an integrity commissioner to report on the
Woodstock Info Energy Inc. imbroglio in hopes of putting the controversy
swirling around the company’s failure to rest.
Council unanimously approved hiring an integrity commissioner under the
Municipal Act in a recorded vote Thursday. The idea was moved by Coun. Pat
Sobeski, who explained the commissioner would review not only the decisions and
behaviour of directors, but also those of its shareholder, city council.
“It was sloppy on how the whole thing happened. There are wild rumours out
there and they’re not true,” Sobeski said. “We need an independent thing
to bring this together- we need to bring in an integrity commissioner.
“We’re opening ourselves up for constructive criticism.”
Sobeski took some time to explain how he believes that Info Energy qualifies as
a municipal board, making it subject to the Municipal Act and therefore eligible
for review by a municipal integrity commissioner. Hydro Holdings, which falls
under corporate law, could not be reviewed.
Voting last per procedure, Mayor Michael Harding said he looked forward to the
integrity commissioner’s report.
“I embrace this, with no fear of wrongdoing. I’m most interested in the
security of council deliberations in closed session,” Harding said. “This
will open that up and take a good hard look at the documents leaked and manner
leaked and the relationships with others that may have contributed to the rumour
mill that has taken on a life on its own.”
Several councillors, speaking in support of the idea, said though they don’t
believe the integrity commissioner will bring any new information to light, it
was an important step to put the controversy swirling over Info Energy’s
$500,000 loss and how effectively it was communicated to council to bed.
Several also referred to the closed-session discussion with the city’s
solicitor, who was asked to comment on whether an integrity commissioner hired
by council could even find any information that hasn’t already been released.
Under the act, the commissioner has the ability to look at all relevant
information, whether considered in closed session or not.
“We’ve spent $50,253 in trying to resolve all this,” Coun. Connie Lauder
said. “I really don’t know how much more we’re looking for. I’d like
someone to explain how much more we’re going to spend. What are we looking for
beyond what we already have?”
Council’s decision has authorized staff to seek someone who could be a
commissioner, then report back to council on that person and how much their
service will cost taxpayers.
“(Everyone) knew it was risky business going into it and yes, monies were
lost. If it had been successful, we would not be having this debate,” Coun.
Ross Gerrie said. “In order to put this to bed once and for all, I will vote
for this final report.”
Coun. Sandra Talbot critiqued the wording of the motion, saying she would rather
it have been more specific.
“There seems to be something that everybody knows that I obviously don’t
know. If it’s one thing, then why not just go after the one thing,” Talbot
said.
Harding said he too hoped it would set the matter to rest, although doubted that
any amount of additional information would be enough for the harshest critics of
how city council was kept out of the loop while losses on marketing the
pay-as-you-go technology built up.Godivas
