It looks like the Ontario Ombudsman will have increased powers over the 444 municipalities of Ontario. According to an article in The Toronto Star, Bill 8 is currently before legislators at Queen's Park. Its passage would give André Marin the chance to field complaints about municipalities, universities and school boards regarding finances and conflicts of interest. One article describes Ombudsman Marin as "salivating over the prospect of delving into the town of Brampton's municipal finances after a spending scandal involving councillors and (now defeated) mayor Susan Fennell."
“Bill 8 would, if passed, extend the jurisdiction of the Ontario ombudsman to include municipalities and provide everyone with access to an ombudsman,” said Mark Cripps, a spokesman for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
"Deeply important issues affecting the management of cities have been ignored for years. For example, in many Ontario cities, developers continue to have direct access to municipal officials, often with little oversight.
The line between politicians’ private fundraising efforts and how they use such activities to gain influence is blurred. Conflict of interest laws deal with votes in council chambers but don’t address what council members do outside them." (Toronto Star)
The people from Fort Erie had a chance to see and hear André Marin when he spoke to council in December 2007 before being chosen as the representative for municipal complaints regarding closed council sessions. At the time, the town was considering using the staff recommended Local Authority Services Association, vetted by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, as its investigator. That would cost the municipality a $300. per year retainer and $1200. per day for an investigation. The Ombudsman's Office, while independent, is funded by the taxpayers i.e. free. Then Ward 6 Councillor Ann Marie Noyes persuaded the council to consider Marin's department. Marin and a couple of Ombudsman's Office staff members came through a snow storm to appear before council. He gave an informative, professional presentation and his office was eventually chosen by the town over the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's recommendation.
So, we'll be hearing more from Marin in the future as he takes on added responsibilities. He has done a lot to make sure that local councils maintain high standards. Incidentally, Fort Erie has remained high on the list of complaint-driven investigations. Too bad Marin wasn't in charge a couple of years ago. The conflict-of-interest lawsuit against The Four councillors would never have gotten as far as it did. Would have been investigated and thrown out - as it will be in the courts. However, the negative publicity helped ruin their chances in the latest election. Only one, Don Lubberts was able to retain his seat in Ward 6. (He is also being sued by EDTC GM Jim Thibert in a separate conflict of interest suit.)
André Marin has proven himself to be a hard-working, honest advocate for the people of Ontario. I look forward to him taking on his new responsibility.
I hope that this measure passes, it should, as Kathy Wynne does have a majority at Queens Park, When Doug Martin was against having an Ombudsman delving into Municipal Complaints, I had a letter printed in the local Pravda supporting Andre Marin and his office, I do remember that I got a lot of support on this one issue, having contacted that Agency about all of the violations made by the Town, regarding the sewage pond located close to my home, they said that it was out of their jurisdiction, as changes were made, my complaints were repeated, I get regular E-Mails from that office, so this could be an answer to my prayers. as the violations are many and our Republic or Fort Erie does their own thing., .Regardless what the law says.!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the truth to come out!
ReplyDeleteAnyone who pays attention knows that the FOUR didn't vote as a block. Our 5 vote mayor just didn't like them because they simply got elected and by wide margins.
Just check out the article about Marin's visit in 2007. It was the mayor and his cronies (Whitfield and Shular) who wanted the Local Authorities which would have cost thousands for Fort Erie taxpayers.As I remember it, the mayor was all for the staff recommendation of LAS, but Ann Marie insisted that the council hear from Marin. She was right and he has been great at investigating closed session complaints. His motto should be: Keepin' 'em honest.
DeleteOversight in Fort Stupid!!! Dirty Doug was right we don't need it. Things are just peachy after decades of the ol boy/ CofC network running things for their own personal gain. Just take a stroll down Jarvis Street and see how these elected (and not so elected) insiders have done.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding Dougie!! it will decades to wipe up the mess you have left behind. You should be roasted, maybe you will be...............for real.
I notice some of the nasties are thrilled with the new Council coming in. They bitched about this fictitious always 4 to 3 vote, yet are now hoping for a 5 to 2 coming in.
ReplyDeleteYeah, and they're already "worried" about Redekop because he said in an article that he thought it was counter productive for members of the administration to sue other members. (I believe he was referring to Jim Thibert's latest lawsuit against Donnie Lubberts for conflict of interest.) Too bad Marin isn't in place already. The lawsuit against me, the four councillors by Whitfield, and the one against Donnie would be investigated and judged for what they are - political punishment. Can't wait to see Marin look into the finances of the town, especially the EDTC. I think that their use of taxpayer money to sue a blogger might come under scrutiny.
DeleteI cant wait for the Ontario Government to make the changes that are much needed, Andre Marin loves this kind of stuff and bringing the rascals to account for their misdeeds , is long overdue, the many bad apples are causing terrible harm to honest and accountable government, We need to have JT investigated for conversion of Provincial funds allocated for Tourism and Recreational and wound up as a gift to the owners of the Fort Erie Racetrack, That money could have went to a super swimming pool for the people of Fort Erie and also visitors, a great location would be Rebstock Road Park , the place that the School Board wanted gratis from our Town, .that location would be ideal for a water park. and people would gladly pay for the added features. .The new Mayor says he has vision, we shall see, his last two terms were not very impressive.in my opinion. I was on Chemo but still managed to see that vast sums of money do a disappearing act.
ReplyDeleteSo doug martin won't be missing the "torturous" Thursday night Regional Meetings, he will be sitting at home with a cold beer watching the football game.
ReplyDeleteI wish he opted out of politics 8 years ago, Fort Erie would be have been a much happier community. I am sure with Wayne Redekop leading our Council that civility will be brought to chambers.