Leo Ladouceur | Mar 22, 2017


The NEWS reported that North Frontenac’s Council had sanctioned Councilor Vernon Hermer for openly opposing one of their decisions and publicly criticizing the process they had or had not followed to reach it.   The News also reported that Mayor Ron Higgins was recommending the appointment of an Integrity Commissioner.

Other Municipalities are hiring Integrity Commissioners.  But in their realm the word Integrity is supposed to demonstrate transparent, accountable and ethical governance.  Not in North Frontenac.  Most sensitive issues that taxpayers would expect require some sort of open attention and moral governance become shrouded with a cloak of suspicion and mystery.  Township participants go into hiding behind the code of conduct, in-camera meetings, forbidden public participation, gag orders, denial, bullying, sanctions, secrecy, and silence. The Mayor and the old guard on Council do not care to see, to hear or know what is going on.  Dare ask a question or disagree and you risk paying the price.

Some readers think that appointing an Integrity Commissioner is a good idea.  The appointee could be a much-needed resource for fact checking administrative reports and documents.  Plus the commish could give the Mayor, his Council and senior Administrative employees some direction and coaching in the application of those three Integrity principles and concepts.  Mayor Higgins never mentioned these benefits as reasons to hire another consultant.  

His only spoken justification was “because without one we can’t impose penalties”. This Commissioner has the power to recommend further penalties for rebellious councilors who have been sanctioned.  Forget that Integrity stuff and call it what it is.  All Mayor Higgins and his council cronies really want is a sanctions’ hit man with the power to punish.        

In the NEWS we read the off-hand but true comment that in North Frontenac speech may be free but it still carries consequences.  I would add that it won’t get any better when the Mayor can call in his sanctions’ hit man and impose some more penalties.

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