Investigation into Mayor’s actions

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

While information regarding the details of Strathmore Mayor Ell’s censure remain scarce, some councillors frustrations for lack of a resolution are fuelling a request for assistance from Municipal Affairs to conduct an independent investigation into the chief-elected official’s actions – a request the mayor felt shouldn’t be limited to only his behaviour.
Seven months after council determined Mayor Ell had committed a series of breaches in regards to the Town of Strathmore Mayor and Councillor Code of Ethics and Conduct Policy, and the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the issue once again catapulted into the public eye.
In a statement made by Councillor Bob Sobol during a regular council meeting on June 3, the mayor’s lack of effort to resolve the issues and his actions to seek legal counsel, caused continuous concern and resulted in the demand for the independent study. While Mayor Ell was not opposed to the proposal of an investigation, he asked the request be altered for Municipal Affairs to consider the circumstances leading up to the censure motion, which would include, but not be limited to, his actions. He added it would be the best way for the matter to be fully investigated without limitation.
“I have considered the motion and believe that the mandate to be given to Municipal Affairs should not be limited to my actions alone,” Mayor Ell said. “The motion that was put on by Councillor Sobol is to be investigating the mayor, and I’m asking that all circumstances be investigated.”
At the end of October 2014, council held an emergency council meeting to officially censure Ell, referring to communications with town administration and staff, and councillor involvement in the town’s administrative functions. As a result of the censure, council passed a motion last year that he adhere to his obligations as councillor and mayor under the MGA and Councillor Code of Ethics and Conduct Policy; not interact or communicate with town staff without approval of the CAO or Deputy CAO; not interfere in the administrative functions of the town; and not communicate with the CAO without council’s direction unless the communication occurs within the context of a council or council committee meeting.
When council was asked to consider the mayor’s change to the motion last week, some councillors took issue with the request.
“I have nothing to hide, but I do resent the fact that suddenly we move from some inappropriate actions that were allegedly done and voted on by council regarding censure, to nothing being done to correct or address the situation, to now an addition to the motion where we’re all going to be investigated,” said Councillor Pat Fule.
“I find that interesting and very telling. It’s very bothersome to me and it definitely changes the intent of what we’ve been doing since October.”
Councillor Bob Sobol also mentioned sending correspondence to the mayor on March 25 and his willingness to work with the mayor to resolve the ongoing issues. However, he added no effort was made, a feeling other councillors reiterated.
“All of council has struggled with this for seven months now, and obviously we’re not getting anywhere,” said Deputy Mayor Rocky Blokland. “Some councillors have tried to reach out to the mayor in efforts to resolve this, and unfortunately were unsuccessful. These are extremely tough decisions we are trying to make.”
According to Councillor Denise Peterson, the ongoing issue caused the town additional cost and chronic communication deficits.
“My four fellow councillors … urged Mayor Ell to seek resolution, and on several occasions I confronted Mayor Ell about the need to resolve the issues about the censure as well as other issues,” said Councillor Peterson.
“Initially all council believed that he would do as he said and move to remediate the problems… seven months later the original issues have not been resolved. His failure to act has not been damage neutral. Without further action, the citizens of Strathmore will continue to pay the price of Mayor Ell’s breaches.”
Mayor Ell had sought legal counsel prior to the meeting, and while his requested changes to the motion were not accepted, he said he has trust in Municipal Affairs to conduct a fair and impartial investigaton.
“I disagree with them, I have made some effort,” said Mayor Ell. “I had been in discussion with a couple of the councillors to see what we could do in coming up with a solution, and it wasn’t acceptable. I had made an effort.”
Mayor Ell voted in opposition of the motion, but council passed the motion to request the minister of Municipal Affairs to conduct an inquiry of the conduct of Mayor Ell.