EASTERN CHARLOTTE – A Beaver Harbour resident made an impassioned plea about councillors avoiding conflict of interest during the recent Eastern Charlotte council meeting.
Dale Welles spoke during the public comment session as a taxpayer and brought up his concerns, not in a malicious way, but for the “good of the entirety” of the municipality.
“I’m confident council has been informed of the duties of municipal government including rules, regulations,” said Welles. “However, any council member (who) is uncertain, I encourage he or she to seek and find answers to extinguish any doubts regarding rules and laws. Council members have been placed in their positions to represent the needs of the entirety of Eastern Charlotte.”
Welles says he understands a councillor with any personal gains or losses regarding issues shouldn’t participate due to a conflict of interest. To do so, Welles hopes charges would be laid.
“I refuse to allow any council member to use my tax dollars for personal interest. I strongly encourage council to think carefully and ask themselves if there is any way a personal gain.”
Coun. Alexa Detorakis said getting legal opinions on matters related to conflict of interest are important for a number of reasons, one being that no councillor is a lawyer.
“It’s within our rights to ask for a legal opinion and it’s the decision of council to make that decision,” she explained.
During the meeting, council passed motions authorizing short-term borrowing of up to four per cent of the annual operating budget of $7 million, short-term borrowing of up to 50 per cent of the annual utility budget of just over $675,000, and increasing municipal credit card limits to $80,000 from $75,000.
robertfisher@stcroixcourier.ca