The Path of Potential Pitfalls

The story about Councillor Mammolini does not appear to be complete.

The  Integrity Commissioner  can recommend a penalty but does not have authority to impose a penalty.

Council has that authority.

Aurora Council had a single workshop  with the Integrity Commissioner who held the position in Aurora.

He spoke of what was not working  and making the process very expensive in other municipalities.

He was very discreet and mentioned no names. But he knew that we knew which municipality
was being referenced.

Toronto started out with a Professor of Law from Kingston University.  His recommendations were not always  adopted.

He was asked once what he would do if a particular recommendation was set aside.

Well, he said , if it happens I'm out of here.

He  did  too but not until his term ended.

In his first annual report to Toronto Council, he noted Councillors were not availing themselves of legal services to defend themselves against  complaints.  The allowance was not sufficient, he suggested.  It was increased to $20,000.

Aurora's Integrity Commissioner was of the opinion it made the entire process too expensive .

It must have been  at least eight years ago in Toronto.

Whatever it takes ,that's what it costs.

In partnership  with other municipalities, Aurora  pays a fee for a  contract service to deal with complaints about  Council doing stuff  they shouldn't behind closed doors.  We are required by Provincial edict to do so.

That also must be in place now for  eight years.

Don't know there's ever been a complaint. But we keep on paying.

Now  the Provincial Ombudsman , Andre Marin  keen to get his mitts on municipalities.

He thinks it's outrageous Municipalities are not policed by his office.

He surely loves his job.

You know, when I think of the solemnity of the Oath of Office and penalties attached for any breach.

The Code of Conduct that  must be signed that purports to bind a  privileged person  to a higher standard than the plebeian masses...

Conflict of Interest legislation that requires  each Councillor  to retain the services of a personal legal advisor.

This candidate, so eager to prove exemplary judgement, open , honest and true and far above the  corrupt individual  one  might ordinarily expect to find  on a municipal ballot....considering the multiplicity of legislation and regulation required to keep municipal  councillors  functioning one step away from  jailhouse steps....perhaps that  is the type of candidate we should expect to find on the ballot.

The late Dick Illingworth used to say about his involvement ;  "You don't have to be crazy...but it helps"