Hey corky, is this one of the examples of Saywell's corruption?
gslr.ca
GSLR –The Commission municipale puts an end to its enquiry (Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, October 11 2016) – The Commission municipale du Québec has decided to cut short its ethics enquiry regarding the mayor of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, John Saywell. In a brief four page decision, the Commission determined that the allegations made by Marc André Le Gris of conflict of interest and misappropriation of public resources by Mayor Saywell were not substantiated with concrete evidence. Mr. Le Gris filed a complaint alleging that Mayor Saywell was in conflict of interest with the Argenteuil Equestrian Club because his spouse was involved in the organization’s board of directors, and also that he would benefit unduly from the resources spent on this project because his residence is located close to the trail. The Commission declared that, simply put, there is no conflict of interest in matters involving non-profit organizations and that no evidence provided would support a finding that Mayor Saywell would get any special benefit from the project not shared by the rest of the public. The Municipality deplores that the treatment of the complaint consumed so much time and expense. The General Manager, Mr. Jean-François Bertrand, spent numerous hours assembling documents and correspondence requested by the Commission. The Municipality, which must cover the legal defense costs of any elected official brought before the courts, was required to assume Mayor Saywell’s legal fees amounting to about $5,000 to coordinate the file with the Commission’s attorney. This sum is in addition to the 30,000$ that the Municipality has already extended to cover the legal fees of other elected officials in a defamation lawsuit brought by Mr. Le Gris in Superior Court, a lawsuit that Mr. Le Gris abruptly abandoned last August 4, an abandonment confirmed by Judge Michaud. This situation is not unique in Québec. Legislation was recently amended so that complaints will no longer be handled by the department of municipal affairs and then transferred to the Commission for mandatory enquiry. Instead, beginning September 30, all complaints will go directly to the Commission who will be responsible for ensuring complaints are serious and for rejecting at the outset any complaints which are frivolous, vexatious or manifestly unfounded as in the recent case of Mayor Saywell. The Municipality is nonetheless happy to have clear guidance on non-profits. The families of numerous council members are actively involved in community centres, the food bank, libraries, the food drive, and the children’s Christmas party, among others. |
