In the aftermath of a controversial incident in which a developer gave a town councillor an envelope containing $10,000 in cash, The Lake Report posed a detailed series of questions to all members of Niagara-on-the-Lake council and regional Coun. Andrea Kaiser about their relationships and interactions with people and companies.

Under normal circumstances, such questions might be considered extremely intrusive, but given that councillors are elected to represent the public – and in the interests of accountability and transparency – we felt the questions were valid and fair.

On March 25, we sent the questions to all NOTL’s elected municipal officials and asked for responses by March 31.

After some discussion among town councillors and the mayor, they decided Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa would respond on behalf of all council members, but that individual councillors were free to submit their own comments if they wished.

Some councillors opted to answer and some did not. In most instances, the responses were very general and many did not answer the specific questions posed.

Immediately after receiving the mayor’s response on behalf of council on March 30, we thanked him for his submission but advised that it didn’t deal with the specifics of the questions. No further response was received from him.

Here are the questions we asked of council members:

1. Do you have a personal, private or business relationship with anyone or any company that has or may have business before the Town of NOTL? Please provide details, briefly.

2. Have you ever met privately with any person (including developers) having business with the Town of NOTL, discussed town matters with them in a venue other than a council or committee meeting? Who and why?

3. In your time as a councillor, have you ever declared a conflict of interest due to a personal, business or professional relationship you have with anyone or any company that has or may have business before the Town of NOTL? Please provide details, briefly.

4. Is there anything else that residents of NOTL should know about any of your interactions or relationships in your capacity as an elected member of council?

Growing up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, raising a family, being a second-generation farmer, volunteering with many organizations and a council member, it is expected that I, like my colleagues, would have many relationships and a broad range of interactions with many residents, organizations and businesses in the community.

Each member of council has a personal obligation to ensure that they act in compliance with all laws, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and the code of conduct.

As a councillor, I take this responsibility seriously. All declared conflicts are a matter of public record and available for review.

*****

Coun. Gary Burroughs

I did meet with a developer on March 4, (not March 11), at his request at Two Sisters. That meeting is currently under review by Niagara Regional Police so no further comment.

In general, I am happy to meet with any resident at their request to discuss issues they have. Typically, we either meet at Tim Hortons or the NOTL Community Centre. I buy my own coffee. These meetings usually take up to an hour. Rarely is anyone else in attendance.

I have been involved with many groups over the years, as far back as chairing the Shaw Festival in 1982-83, and the Niagara Foundation where I was a board member for 25 years.

I do try to attend the foundation’s cocktail parties each year and I always pay my own way.

Typically, over the years, very few developers have requested to have a meeting outside our regular committee structure.

Coun. Wendy Cheropita

I assume that by now you have received the lord mayor’s response to your request.

As stated in the letter, the lord mayor has responded to you on behalf of council. I am fully supportive of the lord mayor’s response.

Coun. Maria Mavridis

This is an excerpt from her public blog:

When you put your name in to run for a seat in the municipality, you know that, should you be elected, you will make decisions that directly affect the daily lives of residents, families, local business and the community as a whole.

The key principles are integrity, accountability, respect, leadership and collaboration.

In return, you would expect the same from your constituents.

Representing a small town, you are well aware that being on town council means that:

*You will be out for dinner locally with friends or family and may be approached by a resident who has concerns, and your dinner will be interrupted for a few brief minutes.

*While at your daughter’s volleyball game, you will be approached by some other parents with their concerns and you will take the time to listen.

*Every week you will commit a few evenings for council meetings and prep.

What you aren’t aware of or expecting at the time you throw your name in is:

*The disrespectful emails you will receive because you didn’t vote the way one person wanted.

*Negative confrontation, while standing at the local coffee shop in line with your family.

*Local media demanding your autobiography.

*People showing up at your place of business and verbally attacking your family members.

*Being questioned on your intelligence.

*Your daughter coming home from school and saying a kid told her that her mother is in people’s pockets because that’s what they heard their parents say.

That is not OK.

When I ran for council, I promised to be honest, transparent and communicate with all.

Recently, The Lake Report sent a blanket email to all of council:

I did not respond to the email. Why, you ask?

The Lake Report along with other local papers have always been able to contact me directly for a phone interview, coffee interview, or to ask me to advertise for a local initiative.

After the blanket email, our mayor told us he would respond on behalf of all of council, so I respected that.

Had I responded, this would have been my response;

In my short time as a councillor, I have met with the following, in the presence of other council members to view presentations: Rainer Hummel, Peller Limited and many residents.

This is part of our job.

I have not declared conflict on anything, as I have not had any conflict to date.

My first week as an elected official, I contacted the integrity commissioner with all the details of my personal business and received clearance letters on all.

The one item that will come before council is 343 York Rd. and I will declare conflict on that specific location as it is my father’s land.

When you live, work, and breathe in the town you represent, and are an engaged member of the community for over 30 years, as I have been, of course you will be questioned. I promised to be transparent and honest. I have and will continue to do so.

I just ask that it be done with the same integrity and respect that is expected from me.

Coun. Sandra O’Connor

The lord mayor has responded on behalf of council as a whole and I will add some personal comments. I understand that you are giving us a platform for transparency, accountability and openness.

I do not have a personal, private or business relationship with anyone or any company that has business before the Town of NOTL. I cannot speculate on the future.

I have never personally met with any developer or their representative outside of official town meetings regarding town business.

I have never been in a position to declare conflict of interest.