Reader Visit Numbers Are Jumping

Allow me a speedy review of the Saga leading to appointment of solicitor, David Tsubouchi as Aurora's Integrity Commissioner.

Until August 2007, my hopes for a working relationship end. Denied opportunity to participate,I created my own with a blog to keep people informed.

September 2007 ... Mayor returned from AMO with free advice for Council from George Rust D'Eye, former city solicitor, now private consultant, for a solution to the problem of... Me

Ontario passed permissive legislation allowing for passage of a Code of Conduct, with penalties, which meant, Mr. Rust D'Eye said, A Code could be enforced.

Failed to mention...purpose of legislation.... to combat corruption.

October 2008... Emergency declared. News of months old decision in a newspaper. Rust D'Eye retained behind closed doors "to investigate the leak"

November2008. Rust D'Eye recommended a Code... retained to write it.... included a proscription on freedom of speech .... Clause 3

November 2008 , Integrity Commissioner appointed. Professional Ethics Czar.

June 2009.... contract with terms of reference signed.

June 2009, different lawyer retained "to investigate" verbal and written public statements of an elected representative.Behind closed doors.

July 2009. Same lawyer reported and instructed to write a complaint. Again behind closed doors. Cost subsequently revealed, $50.000. Complaint advertised in two publications , posted on town web site, signed by six Members of Council, repudiated by three and filed with Integrity Commissioner.

August 2009, Integrity Commissioner's decision. Complaint dismissed...ruled "wholly political".

Concurrently, Integrity Commissioner "stripped of authority" ... not fast enough to prevent decision being distributed to complainants and person complained about.

Immediate departure of town official, responsible for providing decision, from town employment.

September, Councillor files suit for Defamation and other matters under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms against six individuals involved in signing and publicising complaint prepared by a lawyer at a cost, as noted , $50,000.

Lawyer advised Complaint be posted on town's web site in July. Later resolved to stay posted until December 2010. Complaint argued to be pending.

April 1st 2010 Appointment of new Integrity Commissioner. Solicitor and former politician.

April.2010 ....Two complaints filed by one of the original six members.

Integrity Commissioner legally informed the matters are before the courts. No authority exists in the circumstances.

Integrity Commissioner, also a solicitor, fails to acknowledge the communication or respond to contest of his authority.

May 2010. Complainant publicly acknowledges making the complaints.Expresses confidence of an imminent decision.

July 13 2009. Staff recommend moratorium on complaints from August 1st 2009 because of election pending.

July 13th.... Integrity Commissioner's decisions on public agenda ... tabled at Council.

Complaints numbered One and Two.

July 13th.... quorum lost during consideration of decisions.

August 17th ....Decisions tabled again ..... Integrity Commissioner in attendance.

The scene is set. The players in their places.