Political shmoozing pays off : Berthiaume
richard.mahoney@eap.on.ca
During lastweek’smeeting, in a 4-3 vote,
H AWKESBURY
members rejected the proposed guidelines
submitted by the administration.
CouncillorsAndréChamaillard, Johanne
The townofHawkesburywould lose an
Portelance, Michel Thibodeau and Marc
important lobbying tool if municipal
Tourangeau voted against; the mayor and
council ends the town’s traditionofmaking
CouncillorsMichelBeaulneandAlainFraser
indirect contributions to political parties.
voted for the status quo.
That is the argument made by Mayor
But, after several exchanges, themembers
René Berthiaume as debate continues over
failed to hammer out a new policy,
the town’s contestedpracticeof reimbursing
concurring that clarification is required.
members for expenses incurred inattending
The most contentious clause notes that
partisan political events.
municipal contributions to political parties
The reimbursement policy continues to
are not permitted. However, the cost of an
divide members, who, after a two-hour
electedmember’s participation in a political
debate lastweek, failedtoreachaconsensus,
event, even if a part of that cost is a
agreeingonly that the issue required further
contribution to a party, can be reimbursed,
discussion.
the policy stipulates.
The subject had already been tabled at
Foryears,thetownhascoveredmembers’
October 17 and 24 meetings.
René Berthiaume
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BESTSELLING
Alain Fraser
costs incurredat partisanactivities. Ineffect,
Hawkesbury taxpayershavebeen indirectly
4"'&5: 2012 40/"5" 45"34"'&5:3"5*/( ʆ
making contributions to political
organizations.
But Thibodeau, a former town treasurer,
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FINANCING FOR 72 MONTHS 0 % WITH
DOWN PAYMENT $ 0 AND
has contended that this practice must stop
because it is illegal.
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Political parties do not have the right to
accept monetary contributions from
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municipalities.
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Another controversial clause states that
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elected officials can be reimbursed for
attending non-profit organizations’ events.
The argument against the status quo is
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that this clause is not necessary because
members are already paid one-third of their
salary, in advance, in January of each year.
BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT $ 106 † OWN IT
WITH
AND
This amount is considered as compensation
FINANCING FOR 72 MONTHS DOWN PAYMENT 2.9 % $ 0
SELLING PRICE: $15,130 ʕ ACCENT L 5DR 6-SPEED. DELIVERY, DESTINATION & FEES INCLUDED. PLUS HST.
for theexpenses incurredintheperformance
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of members’ municipal functions. This
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amount is not taxable.
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“The political reality”
Berthiaume has insisted on the
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preservation of the clause reimbursing
politicalcontributions. Toremovetheclause
is “to play the ostrich and to hide your head
BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT $ 122 † OWN IT
WITH
AND
FINANCING FOR 72 MONTHS DOWN PAYMENT 2.9 % $ 0
in the sand,” he told colleagues.
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Personal contacts with politicians in a
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social context “are part of the political
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reality,” said the mayor, adding that all the
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othermunicipalities reimburse their elected
officialswhentheyattendpolitical activities.
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The proposed change “will limit the
capacityof themayor torepresent the town,”
reiterated Berthiaume. Expenses incurred
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FINANCING FOR 60 MONTHS 0 % WITH
DOWN PAYMENT $ 0 AND
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at events organized by local representatives
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represent agoodinvestment, hemaintained.
It is important for municipal
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representatives to have the occasion tomeet
ministers “face to face, with a glass ofwine,”
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said the mayor.
Berthiaume and Fraser argue that
allocations for conventions—$3,000 for the
mayor and $1,750 for each councillor — are
insufficient. Fraser related that he exceeded
his budget in attending only two
conventions.
Taxpayers deserve well-informed
representatives, he said, stating that limiting
participationatbeneficialconventionswould
be akin to “promoting ignorance.”
Other members took that comment
personally. Portelance replied she did not
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appreciate being called “ignorant” because
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shedoesnot attendall theconventions. “You
can learn things at a convention, but you can
also learn things in the community.” She
5-year/100,000 km Comprehensive Limited Warranty 5-year/100,000 km Powertrain Warranty 5-year/100,000 km Emission Warranty
added, referring to community activities,
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“Do we have to attend every golf
tournament?”
Thibodeau also objected to Fraser’s
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perceived insult. “He is out of order,”
declared Thibodeau, asking Fraser to
withdraw his words. Fraser insisted he had
not described anyone as being ignorant.
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