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Lakeshore Advance, 2013-01-23, Page 66 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, January 23, 2013 Integrity Commission called in CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 1 Linda Williamson from the Ontario Ombudsman Office says all municipalities are required to appoint an investigator for com- plaints about closed meetings. This can be the Ontario Ombuds- man or another investigator of their choosing. This role only involves complaints about closed meetings. 'ihe Act also allows for municipalities to appoint their own Integrity Commissioners if they choose. Williamson said this would be for other matters that are outside the jurisdiction of the Ontario Ombudsman, This is an inquiry and not an investigator. Members of the pub- lic are allowed to make com- plaints, which may be anonymous, to tht' integrity commissioner. process gives staff an avenue to disclose potential wrongdoing within the Ontario Public Service without violating the duty Of loy- alty owed to their employer and to provide protection in case Of reprisal. The integrity commis- sioner is required to preserve secrecy in all matters that come to his or her knowledge in the course LIVING IN LAMBTON SHORES... A weekly Update on the Municipal Events in your Community Administration Department - 7883 Amtelecom Parkway, Forest, Ontario NON 1J0 Tel: 1-877-786-2335, 519-786-2335, Fax: 519-786-2135, Email: administration Jlambtonshores ca Visit our Web Site at www.Iambtonshores.ca January 29th Residents of Forest (St Area An Open House is scheduled for TUESDAY, JANUARY 29TH at 7:00 p.m. in Kimball Hall This is an opportunity for you to meat and speak with your Council Representatives Ken McRae & Marfin Underwood Lambton Shores' Residents PLEASE NOTE: 1 hc next buelelr't llle'e'tUle) will t', 11-fUNSDAY. Jiinu,lry 3 1st at 1 :110 (t fl ..0, ,, NOTICE OF THE PASSING OF A ZONING BY-LAW BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAMBTON SHORES TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Lambton Shores has passed By- law 08 of 2013 on the 1411' day of January, 2013, under Section 34 of the Planning Act. AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or agency may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board in respect of the By-law by filing with the Clerk of the Corporation of the Municipality of Lambton Shores, 7883 Amtelecom Parkway, Forest, Ontano, NON 1J0, not later than the 12th day of February, 2013, a notice of appeal setting out the objection to the By-law and the reasons in support of the objection. Only individuals, corporations and public bodies may appeal a zoning by-law to the Ontario Municipal Board. A notice of appeal may not be flied by an unincorporated association or group. However, a notice of appeal may be filed In the name of an Individual who Is a member of the association or the group. To appeal the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board, a letter outlining the reasons for the appeal together with the appropriate OMB Appeal Form (tr�trw,omb,gov,on.ca), must be sent to the Secretary of the Municipality of Lambton Shores Committee of Adjustment, 7883 Amtelecom Parkway, Forest, ON NON 1JO. You must enclose the appeal fee of 5125.00 for each application appealed, paid by certified cheaue or money order, made payable to the Ontario Minister of Finance. DATED AT THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAMBTON SHORES THE 24"' DAY OF JANUARY, 2013. Jackie Mason, Administrative Assistant Municipality of Larnbton Shores 7883 Amtelecom Parkway Forest, Ontario NON 1J0 Telephone (519) 786-2335 Economic Development Committee The Municipality of Lambton Shores is seeking individuals interested in serving on the Economic Development Committee to assist in discussions and research geared to business retention and expansion, and to encourage opportunities for employment growth in Larnbton Shores and to make recommendations to Council on Economic Development issues. Council Is seeking 6 people who will represent key groups in Ihe community, such as tourism, agriculture, youth, business, seniors, and ensure wide geographic coverage, and with experience in either economic development, marketing, information technology, sociology and/or municipal processes. If you are interested In participating, application forms are available on the municipal website. www.Iambtonshores.ca/local govemment/ Council. Application forms are also available by contacting any one of the Municipal Office. Submission details are available on the form, and applications are to be submitted by February 13, 2013 Doug Bonesteel of his or her duties. I laving said that, the municipality is required to ensure that reports received from the integrity cont- missioner are made available to the public. Councilor Doug Bonesteel brought this request to the table at the January 14th meeting and ironically failed to follow their procedural rules by not assigning this the tag of it notice of motion or an emergent issue -which tvould have taken two-thirds vote. 'there was no direction to council as to how much they would pay this person or what the time franc' was. Ile did not suggest a terms of reference but he was ready to assign a law office from Goderich. During council reports segment (tithe meeting Bonesteel said he wanted to put a "positive spin" on the issue of integ- rity. "For the past few weeks i have heard words like taint...and received mails sent by a source from a former council mem- ber talking about five on council and mayor Ivey asked about the source of who talked to the candidate at the Dec. 17th meeting, saying this will not end without answers. "in 2013 perception is reality." Bonesteel said this council heard now - councilor Ken McKrea say this council's confidence must he restored, so he (Bon esteel) was going to throw out an idea he has been thinking about for it long time. "The press is not going to let up the sug- gestion of an improper leak (ftrtnt the dis- missal of the (:AO Nov. 13th, 2012) or improper processing --we are empowered to bring in an integrity commissioner and investigate complaints under our code of conduct... 1 feel unfortunate that mem- bers (Atilt. public don't have confidence." So, he said, "I will snake the complaint tonight so once and for all the Integrity of this council can be restored so if there is a leak we can deal tvith it. " Ile put that suggestion on the floor, to start an investigation. "We' can hire some- one -- we (he dict not say whom he was speaking of) stet a gentleman who con- ducted investigations before, he is the legal counsel of I luron County and did a great job for them --1 have confidence Donnelly Murphy will do a great job here. "You can't puri a price on integrity or democracy --it is unfortunate the public won't let us do due process. An Integrity Commissioner is something the Citizens of Good Governance have been pushing since before this council came to be. A missive from this group showed concern that the 2006-2(110 council should have appointed integrity commissioner. Council can appoint an Integrity Com- missioner who reports to council and is responsible for performing in an inde- pendent planner the functions assigned by the municipality with respect to code of conduct, procedural rules and policies and ethical behavior of council and local boards. The municipality and its local boards are required to give the integrity contntissioner such information, as he or she believes to be necessary for an inquiry. in a slap on the hand process- the, penalties specifically authorized b legislation are a reprimand, and/or sus- pension of remuneration of the ntentber for up to 90 days, which may be imposed only if the integrity commissioner reports his or her opinion that the ntentber has contravened the code of conduct. I low - ever, the penalties are not stated to be exclusives, and, tvhilt' it wound not appear that a council could suspend remunera- tion for Ittot't' than 90 days, other adminis- trative steps might bt' taken, Such as to request an apology, or other conse- quences within the council's existing powers. 1t would not appear, however, that the integrity commissioner could remove or suspend a member from his or her duties as a councilor, or preclude a member from attending a meeting, debating or voting %vith respect to any natter. in the end council passed this motion unanimously offering no direction to staff.