Mayor censure lifted

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

The censure of Mayor Ell, which was imposed on the high-ranking official at the end of 2014, was revoked last week when council appeared as a united front to rescind their previous decision effective in April, coinciding with the arrival of James Thackray – Strathmore’s newly appointed chief administrative officer.
During a special council meeting on Oct. 29, 2014, council determined Mayor Ell had violated a series of breaches of the Town of Strathmore Mayor and Councillor Code of Ethics and Conduct Policy and the statutory obligations of councillors and council outlined in the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
As a result, council introduced the censure, which is often described as an expression of strong disapproval.
Specifically, council referred to meetings with staff members, interference with chief administration, involvement in the administrative officer’s function as the administrative head for the town, and acting without council authority in his dealings with the CAO.
Under the censure, which council voted for unanimously, Mayor Ell was required to adhere to his obligations as a councillor under the MGA and Mayor 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.
Although details remain scarce, Councillor Bob Sobol addressed council to remove the censure as it pertains to the communication with the CAO on April 18 – a motion prompted by the retirement of current CAO Dwight Stanford and the recent appointment of James Thackary who will take on the roll effectively on the same date.
“I will note that efforts were made without success for council to resolve this issue privately … due to the seriousness of the matter and after obtaining legal advice in this matter, council found themselves with little choice but to censure mayor Ell,” said Sobol.
“The censure is not a timeframe unless it’s stated as such. So the first three issues were a declaration by this council that requested and required the mayor to adhere to those policies that pertain to the first three conditions. It was the fourth one that had a time frame on it because it was a no communication [issue].”
As council members are naturally required to adhere to the municipality’s acts and policies, councillors received clarification that by voting in favour of the motion, the censure would be lifted. Council voted unanimously in favour of the motion during the regular council meeting on March, 2.
Thackray has 20 years of experience as a CAO for Alberta and British Columbia municipalities, holds a Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and has worked several years as a private consultant. He will take on the position on April 18, when the censure will subsequently be revoked.