Report finds ‘schism’ within town council
By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
An investigation into the conduct of a Strathmore town councillor has concluded there is broad interpersonal conflict beyond a couple of councillors.
Strategic Steps Inc. was hired by Strathmore town council in March 2021 to investigate the conduct of Councillor Denise Peterson, after a formal complaint was submitted by Councillor Jason Montgomery in September 2020. The redacted report on the investigation has now been released to the public, available on the town’s website, after many of the discussions were held in camera.
Eight allegations related to Peterson’s conduct were made as part of Montgomery’s complaint. While some of these were determined to be found in contravention of the council’s code of conduct, others were not. Furthermore, the breaches were considered minor, and the consultant recommended the minimum possible punishment for Peterson. Council passed a motion for Peterson to issue a public apology, which she provided on May 19.
However, the report concludes issues on council extend beyond the feud between Peterson and Montgomery.
Relationships between and among members of council have been “fraying” since the 2017 municipal election, the report stated. Strathmore town council “began providing good governance” at the start of their terms, but “that gradually changed to the point where seeds of suspicion and inappropriate collaboration began to grow.”
According to Strategic Steps, while town council is composed of members with different opinions and ideas, they must work together as a team. If they do not form a cohesive unit, they will be working at odds with each other, which is ultimately detrimental to the town.
Most of those interviewed by Strategic Steps identified a schism between the three members who served on previous councils (Mayor Pat Fule and Councillors Bob Sobol and Peterson), and those who were newly elected in 2017 (Councillors Lorraine Bauer, Tari Cockx, Melanie Corbiell and Montgomery). Both groupings were described as “coalitions,” by interviewees.
“Individual members of a council who share common views will often vote similarly, but that should not become the de facto choice that results frequently in a 4-3 split on major items,” the report stated.
Issues involving council were aggravated by other municipal issues involving former managers, as well as the town’s large capital project of the new town office and the Strathmore Commons, the report added, and it concluded by stating members of council do not share a unified vision for Strathmore, which has resulted in disagreements among councillors.
The report also noted the town has had significant staff turnaround during the term of council, including three CAOs or interim CAOs, and only one director remaining with the town since the last election. The Town of Strathmore has current active job listings for its chief administration officer; director of infrastructure, operations and development; director of community and protective services; director of strategic and administrative services; senior planner; and fire chief.
During the May 19 town council meeting, council passed a motion to enter a covenant related to working together for the remainder of the term. The details of this agreement were discussed during an in-camera portion of the meeting closed to the public.