TO THOSE WHO DO NOT SUPPORT TAKING COUNCILLORS TO COURT

Two days ago I posted here all the roadblocks, intentional and otherwise, that are thrown in the path of any citizens choosing to exercise their legal rights under the Municipal Elections Act (MEA). I also mentioned the not trivial concern that Dr. Dan Holt faced when he requested a Forensic Audit be ordered by MECAC (Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee). That concern was the cost of the so ordered Forensic Audit of Scott Hahn namely $12,000. If the Forensic Auditors (Froese) had decided that there were no contraventions of the MEA then Dr. Holt would have been on the hook to pay for the Forensic Audit out of his own pocket. Yours truly took a similar risk by requesting a Forensic Audit of Sandy Shantz's multiple Financial Statements TWICE! Both times MECAC improperly, and in my opinion illegally, refused to order that Forensic Audit despite thousands of dollars in missing Contributions and Expenses.

This above information plus the next forthcoming is to nullify any inaccurate suggestions that citizens are allowed to take free shots at elected officials without any consequences or accountability. In fact the entire process is loaded with consequences, financial and otherwise and citizens are held accountable (somewhat) by the public nature of the process. If a citizen does not have very strong grounds for their complaints then the media will and do publicly say exactly that. This has not happened because all three Woolwich Councillors (Bauman, Shantz & Hahn) involved in the 2014 Election Fiasco messed up royally and worse.

Since serving the Summons on Mr. Hahn last Saturday I have also had to phone three lawyers, visit two and make a payment (nominal) to one of them in order to get the Affidavit of Service of Summons, "commissioned". This "commissioning" is essentially my swearing an oath that yes I did personally serve the summons on Mr. Hahn. Then it was back down to Kitchener to both Intake/Superior Court first and then over to Provincial Court at 77 Queen St. Kitchener. Both locations required speaking to staff in order to confirm that I was giving the Affidavit of Service to the right court at the correct location.

Put simply my efforts (and Dr. Dan's & others) have only been possible by our being retired, committed, persistent and dedicated. There have been a dozen times when it would have been less expensive, less time consuming and easier on the nerves to throw in the towel and walk away. You are welcome Woolwich taxpayers and residents.