Investigator backs ‘blindsided’ councillor
stances are bound by non-disclosure re- quirements, but rather he appeared to be ex- pressing his frustration with the entire decision-making process and the overall costs associated with these matters at a broader or general level.” “Clearly Councillor Rivette broke rank with council on the theses matters but in doing so he acknowledged that decisions made by city council are governed by the majority of the members of council. He made it abundantly clear he was expressing his own personal opinion on the matters he addressed in the interview,” the report reads. The investigator has recommended Mayor Bob Kilger that council clearly declare what topics are to be discussed during in camera sessions. “It is recommended that the chair, or pre- siding officer of a meeting that is closed to the public exercise due diligence and take all proper steps to ensure council’s considera- tion of a matter remains centered on the topic (i.e., the cited reason) for the whole du- ration of the matter under consideration,” Fournier wrote. He noted a number of municipalities have developed a standard format for their reso- lutions and meeting records that enhances the principles of transparency and good governance when matters are considered in closed meeting. He recommended the city incorporate a “best practice” model resolu- tion depicted in his report. Follow @gkielec on Twitter. For breaking news, go to www.editionap.ca and click on The Journal. Email greg.kielec@eap.on.ca
By Greg Kielec An investigator has ruled that Cornwall city council acted improperly in criticiz- ing a councillor behind closed doors for comments he made to the media. The April 11 report by closed meeting in- vestigator Stephen Fournier is to be pre- sented at Monday evening’s meeting of Cornwall city council. Councillor Andre Rivette filed a complaint with Fournier after claiming he was “blind- sided” during an in camera session before a Feb. 27 meeting of council. “It is concluded that council acted improp- erly, in part, when its consideration of the matter moved from discussions on the con- duct of the City CAO (Paul Fitzpatrick) to include discussions regarding the conduct of Councillor Rivette …,” Fournier wrote in the nine-page report. Rivette was attacked in the closed council session after he gave a 10 minute interview with the Cornwall Free News during which he blamed Fitzpatrick for a number of per- sonnel issues he claims has cost the city $1.4 million. The veteran councillor had initially re- vealed the $1.4 million figure in an inter- view published by The Journal late February. He revealed the figure at the time City council was wrong to criticize Rivette during in camera session
Photo by Greg Kielec A report by closed meeting investigator Stephen Fournier has vindincated Cornwall city councillor Andre Rivette, who claimed he was bullied in a closed session of council after publicly criticizing the performance of CAO Paul Fitzpatrick.
found in subsection 239. 2 (b) of the Act, namely: ‘Personal matters about an identifi- able individual, including municipal or local board employees’,” reads the report. The CFN interviewwith Councillor Rivette is about 10 minutes in length and touches upon a number of topics. “There is no question he disagreed with the role and appears to lay blame on the City CAO in the settlement of a number of personnel issues addressed by council in closed meetings,” read the report. “On the other hand, he did not make any references to the specific details of any par- ticular settlement case, which in some in-
to bolster his argument for further tax cuts, arguing city taxpayers should bear the brunt of bad decisions made at city hall. The whole controversy revolved around a video interview Rivette did with the Corn- wall Free News, which in the mayor’s opin- ion, misleads the public into believing the Fitzpatrick made the decisions to spend the money when in fact the decisions on these matters had been endorsed by council, the report reads. In the opinions of the City Clerk Denise La- belle-Gelinas and the mayor the comments regarding the conduct of Fitzpatrick in the “personnel issues qualified as an exception serve as a city councillor. Council agreed to appoint Samson to the position during a special meeting on April 16. “I am pleased to welcome Mr. Samson to city council,” said Mayor Bob Kilger. “Council and city administration will do everything possible to assist Mr. Samson as he takes on this new responsibility.” O’Shaughessy officially resigned on April 10 over frustration with city hall’s handling of personnel issues and frequent in camera sessions.
LOCAL HEROES RECOGNIZED
Samson passes the test for council
By Greg Kielec
The 11th place finisher in the 2010 mu- nicipal election has beocme Cornwall’s newest councillor. Gerry Samson has met the qualifications to hold office and was to be sworn-in to the seat vacated by former councillor Leslie O’Shaughnessy Monday evening, the city Friday afternoon. City clerk Denise Labelle-Gélinas has met with Samson to confirm his eligibility to
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Special photos Governor General David Johnston shakes hands with Const. Michael Allan Biron, left, of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and Officer Yves Soumillon, Canadian Bor- der Services, during an April 19 presentation ceremony at Rideau Hall during the two officers were presented stars of courage and medals of bravery. Biron and Soumillon were recognized for their heroic efforts in trying to pull two people from a burning ve- hicle on Cornwall Island on Nov. 14, 2008.
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