THE COURT EXAMINATION PROCESS OF MUNICIPAL ELECTION ACT CHARGES CONTINUES

There is a reason why the MEA (Election Act) has a process to hopefully shorten and expedite the examination of candidates Financial Statements. The Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC) can be viewed as gatekeepers who's gates are very low. Contrary to what has happened most disgustingly here in Woolwich Township, they are not supposed to be building a palisade around candidates such as Councillor Hahn and mayor Shantz hence blocking citizens ability to take them to court for egregious or blatant contraventions of the MEA. The courts on the other hand as almost everyone understands, do not move quickly. Yes their speed is sometimes glacial at best but eventually they do address the issues before them.

That would describe the current situation. Mayor Shantz is facing ten charges under the MEA. While these charges were examined by a Justice of the Peace who also acted as a form of gatekeeper, nevertheless the Crown has the right and duty to examine each charge individually and as a group and decide if they are appropriate or not. To date we have had two adjournements in order to allow the Crown sufficient time to do their due diligence. This includes both examination of paperwork regarding the MEA, examination of the specific charges laid and finally discussions with both parties involved.

While I have as yet no firm idea as to whether the Crown will proceed or not I can at least advise that to date the process is unfolding in the apprpriate fashion. It is my belief that the Crown are serious in their examination of the facts and evidence and are keeping an open mind until they've had further time and evidence unfold for them. This is occurring and will only make for a better informed and knowledgable Crown.

To date there has not been any honest attempt by non judicial authorities to seriously examine mayor Shantz's Financial Statements. MECAC's pretend examination on July 2/15 was a farce and a grotesque embarassment to themselves. Thirty pages were plopped down in front of them and myself ten minutes prior to the start of the hearing. Chairman Carl Zehr didn't show up until five minutes after the meeting was supposed to start and he didn't even open the front cover of the last minute package from mayor Shantz before starting the meeting. It went downhill from there. The courts I do not believe will tolerate any such horse manure or procedural gamesmanship. They know that justice both needs to be done and seen to be done.