A Lack of Integrity (Commissioner)
Anyone out there tried to lodge a complaint with Woodstock's Integrity Commissioner lately? I suspect not since I haven't heard anyone complaining about the fact we no longer have one.
Ian Hunter served notice a year ago that he would not be renewing his contract. The vacancy has not been filled. If the matter has been discussed at Council I'm not aware of it. I could understand it if Hunter just up and quit but it's been a year.If a city manager, bus driver, sanitation worker or clerical worker gave a years notice do you think they'd hire someone to replace them? Of course they would. Those people would be considered essential to the effecient operation of the Corporation. How is it that the position of Integrity Commissioner is somehow less essential than bus drivers or clerks? It can't be cost. The integrity Comissioner only gets paid if he works. It's a piece-work job. He gets no pension or benefits.
Why do we have a Code of Conduct and no Commissioner to see that it is followed? All he does is make himself available to act as an advocate for the public when an electeed member gets out of line. Oops. Maybe I've hit on the reason.
Is Council obligated by its own resolutions to keep this position filled? It would certainly seem so. Of course Council is still obligated by its own resolution to hold a public meeting on Info Energy.
I think I'll file a complaint with the.......................?
Hello all:
ReplyDeleteCity council considered whether or not to hire a new integrity commissioner at its December 2009 meeting. It voted to leave the position vacant.
Hugo
Well. I obviously missed out on that one. I'm surprised there wasn't something of a stink raised. Do you happen to recall if the vote was unanimous?
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that a vote was taken I still think the questions I posed are valid. Most particularly, "Why do we have a Code of Conduct and no Commissioner to see that it is followed?"
I suppose there was no point in replacing Hunter since he served his purpose. Info Energy has been buried. Who needs an Integrity Commissioner?
I just read those minutes. They did indeed choose to "leave the position vacant" by receiving the report as information only.
ReplyDeleteThat's a win win. They don't have to explain to the public why they eliminated the position and if the time comes when they need another whitewash they can just quickly hire some guy to do the job. The position is just sitting there waiting to be filled.
October can't come soon enough.
Thanks for the clarification Hugo.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAnon@4:43:
ReplyDeleteI sort of wondered whether there was any mention in the paper as well but as there is no longer an accessible archive function on the website I couldn't verify it.
Have you confirmed it wasn't in the paper or are you just assuming?
I certainly hope you confirmed it given the tone of your post.