Gravenhurst council received a report from the town’s integrity commissioner during their latest meeting.
Laura Dean, on behalf of Aird and Berlis, the law firm that provides integrity commissioner services for the town, said in her report that Ward 1 Councillor Penny Varney contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act by trying to influence the vote on a question before council.
Varney is a member of Arts at the Albion, an artists’ cooperative at the former Albion Hotel downtown.
In June, the cooperative sought an exemption from the town’s sign bylaw. Members wanted to erect three flag signs on the sidewalk in front of the building. Council approved the exemption for one year.
Varney, who did declare a pecuniary interest at the council table and did not participate in discussions, did send emails to council members regarding the matter before it was heard at the council table.
The actions triggered a complaint to the integrity commissioner, an investigation, and a determination that the councillor contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act through her actions.
The commissioner is taking no further action.
The complainant – the identity is confidential – has six weeks to determine if they wish to take the matter to a provincial judge for consideration.
From the Town of Gravenhurst
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So a Councilor and a long time Gravenhurst business owner – who is trying to support the Town’s sad business core with three sign flags on the sidewalk – is rewarded by a sanction? Have we got out priorities right? Do we not have more important issues to deal with?
Seriously? Did taxpayers foot the bill for this? Are there not more pressing problems for council to deal with like how to create ways and means to draw shoppers back to Main Street? Maybe the by-law needs to be changed? The complainant should focus attention where it really matters. Strong, positive leadership can make a difference.
A councilor’s job is to influence discussions on issues that affect the town, be that by email or verbally. Other councilors provide a counterbalance and can agree or disagree. That’s why they are elected. That’s how democracy should work To penalize elected representatives for speaking out, and speaking their minds, is doing all of us a disservice, and not in our benefit. This issue is just petty, and if this is how Gravenhurst council prioritize their time, and the spending of our tax dollars, then it’s not surprising the town is dying.