London Council rapped for backroom restaurant meeting, but does the Ombudsman's ruling have an impact for Woodstock's council?
A scolding of London City Council for having an illegal meeting has Oxford County politicians taking notice today.
Following an 8-month investigation, Provincial Ombudsman, Andre Marin, released his report today, into a February lunch meeting that was held by 7 members of council, including Mayor Joe Fontana. The infamous meeting at "Billy T's Tap & Grill" has been found to have been in violation of the Municipal Act.
Marin called the backroom lunch "a betrayal of public trust", and that the case should be a "cautionary tale for municipal governments".
Woodstock Mayor Pat Sobeski has been reading the report this afternoon and says the way the meeting was held, and the fact that 60 people complained was a red flag. "You know, it's ok for councillors to get together in a social manner. That's healthy to discuss issues. But when a group of you go into a place and you head to a back room and close the door, that's not good public perception, regardless of what's discussed behind the doors."
Council's have been known to go out for a drink after their meetings and it's been a tradition for Woodstock Council over the years. He says the Ombudsman's report finds that a "healthy" activity. "If people walked into the bar and suddenly saw all the councillors huddled in a back corner, fenced-off so no one could go back there, that's not good perception. But when people go in and see 2 or 3 councillors and 2 or 3 staff members sitting amongst the general public, they don't have a problem with that."
While the Ombudsman's report has a lot of bark, it doesn't have much bite. Marin has no authority issue any penalties or fines for the illegal meeting.
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