DO I NEED TO TAKE WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP BACK TO THE OMBUDSMAN?

Knowing Woolwich Township's tendency to be economical with the truth, I was skeptical of their repeated in camera meetings and vague to non-existent rationales for them. Therefore a year ago I went through a few Township Agendas and Minutes looking for what appeared to be particularily egregious cases. In no time at all I had four or five examples of what I thought were dishonest applications of the grounds for Councillors to meet secretly... oops in camera. Lo and behold the Ombudsman agreed with four of the five examples that I had presented to him and Woolwich Township were duly corrected.

It looks as if more correction may be required. Last Saturday's K-W Record carried an article titled "Multiplex board draws concern". I also wrote about it yesterday here in the Advocate. While I have made my displeasure at the biased and incompetent behaviour of MECAC (Compliance Audit Committee) clear; my concerns about conflicts of interest on that committee were ignored by them as well as by Woolwich Township. In the Saturday newspaper article, lawyer John Mascarin advised that "...a citizen could choose to file an application in court that the members violated the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.". Indeed that is one route although of course your Application would be opposed by the Township and they would be using your money and that of your fellow citizens against you. This behaviour of using citizens money to fight against the public interest in court is not unknown among other public bodies including school boards.

The Record's article is focused on conflicts of interest on the city of Cambridge's sports multiplex task force. A definition was provided and I quoted it in yesterday's posting here in the Advocate. As of January 1, 2016 the Ombudsman has greater powers and authority in regards to municipalities and their wayward behaviours. It is a sad reflection upon our local governance that there have been public demands for the Ombudsman's oversight on municipal matters for decades. It is finally here and for these rights to flourish they must be exercised. Sometimes I think that abuse of power and authority must be addictive. Otherwise why continue when you know you will be caught and publicly chastised. Long past time to shape up Woolwich Township.