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Thursday, April 21, 2022 Vol. 10 Issue 48

www.wn3.ca

100% Niagara owned & operated. Circ: 28,066

Five complaints to Ombudsman, Recommendations but no “further review” needed

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé did not have enough concern with complaints escalated to his office by five members of Grimsby council to merit a “formal investigation” regarding some council members’ conduct.

In an eight-page ruling issued March 31, Dubé wrote, “For the reasons set out below, I have not conducted a formal investigation of the concerns raised by council. However, based on my preliminary review of this matter, I have made some best practice suggestions for council to generally address several of the issues raised. Under the circumstances, we will not be reviewing this matter further.”

The Ombudsman has the authority to address complaints about public sector bodies, including provincial governmental organizations, munici-palities, school boards, and universities as well as other agencies.

“When problems are identified, I may share best practices or make recommendations to a municipality to improve its processes, as well as to strengthen local governance and accountability,” wrote Dubé.

Big boots filled

Libbey Raulston stopped to make a donation to Grimsby Firefighters Association’s Boot Drive campaign Saturday morning on her way into Canadian Tire with her father. While the department had firefighters at several locations, (L to R) Mike Baran, Ryan Newton, Ted Allingham, Jeff Compisano and Jeff Dancer took care of business here. Williscraft - Photo

The matters sent to Dubé by a 5-4 approved motion of council asked for an investigation into the process and conduct of CAO Derik Brandt’s termination in February 2019 as well as circumstances around clerk Hazel Soady-Easton being offered a retirement package in the window of time when there was no CAO.

While some issues with process were found, similar to Grimsby’s Integrity Commissioner, the Ombudsman found the matter did

not merit more review. In his summation, Dubé concluded, “I am exercising my discretion to not conduct a further review of council’s concerns.’ “However, I encourage Council for the Town of Grimsby to carefully consider the best practices I have identified to improve the accountability and transparency of its municipal practices.” The process was initiated by five councillors - Kevin Ritchie, Randy Vaine, Dave Kadwell, John Dunstall and Dave

OMBUDSMAN, Page 5 Grants to help keep drinking water safe

A major federal/provincial grant has come through to help Grimsby, Lincoln and Pelham transition old drinking water infrastructure to upgraded systems.

Under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the clean water projects include $1.66 million in provincial funding to replace watermains and install SMART hydrants in the Town of Lincoln, $1.35 million in provincial funding to replace watermains and fire hydrants in the Town of Pelham and $875,000 in provincial funding to replace watermains, service pipes and fire hydrants in the Town of Grimsby.

These improvements will help ensure that residents continue to have reliable access to clean drinking water, while enhancing the reliability and capacity of the local

WATER, Page 2