Mayor Allen - 90 day pay suspension for Code of Conduct Violation
It was a long drawn out debate and discussion at the
Oct 21 Regular Council Meeting when the Integrity Commissioner submitted its report
on a Code of Conduct complaint filed by Councillors Cabral, Moore and Hanna
related to criminal charges of Impaired and Dangerous Driving laid against the
Mayor triggered by incidents following the 2019 Warden’s Golf Tournament at
Vespra Hills Golf and Country Club on Wilson Drive. As Reported in the media,
the Mayor plead guilty this past Summer to reduced charges under the Highway
Traffic Act of “driving without due care or attention or without consideration
for other persons using the highway”. The agreed statement of facts in Court read
as follows: “On June 26th, 2019 Don ALLEN attended a golf tournament at the
Vespra Hills Golf Course located on Wilson Drive in Springwater Township. He
was observed after the tournament by staff having difficulties with his
balance. This was due to a combination of a number of medical conditions Mr.
Allen suffers from, including Multiple Sclerosis, a double knee replacement,
fatigue from the heat and duration of the tournament in combination with 2
alcoholic beverages Mr. Allen had consumed at dinner at the course. Around 9:54
p.m. Mr. Allen entered his car, a Toyota Prius and drove off the property with
only his daytime running lights on and turned onto Wilson Road, The combination
of Mr. Allen’s fatigue, pre-existing medical condition, the 2 alcoholic drinks
consumed at dinner and driving after sunset with only his daytime running
lights on amounted to his driving on Wilson Road without due care and attention
for other users of the roadway.” The Court noted in sentencing, stated: “I
think the joint submission in this case is fitting and appropriate, and
certainly meets the needs of the purpose of sentencing which is to promote a
sense of responsibility in offenders, and to those who are acknowledging the
harm done - and that is certainly the case here - but also to denounce the
unlawful conduct and harm done to victims, and to deter yourself and others
from committing offence.” He was given a $1,000 fine, a four-month licence
suspension and a one-year ban on driving while there's alcohol in his system. What
surprises me is the Mayor’s lack of contrition to his fellow Council members
and his constituents. He instead tabled a motion to post a prepared statement
that seems to contradict the information in the Integrity Commissioner’s report
making him some sort of victim. That will be discussed at the next meeting. A
simple apology by the Mayor for his bad behaviour may have avoided the action
tabled by Councillor Ritchie to suspend the Mayor’s pay for 90 days. I am also
perplexed at the two letters of support for the Mayor that were submitted which
effectively chastised other members of Council for doing their sworn duty.
Let’s be clear, Mayor Allen himself created this issue with his bad behaviour
and he needs to accept responsibility or it will develop a life of its own. I
suggest you watch the October 21 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting on Youtube for the
complete story.
Barrie Physician Recruitment – Well Done!
I just want to say how impressed I have been with the successes
of the Barrie Physician Recruitment Program headed by Dr. Stu Murdock. With his
leadership over the last 4 or 5 years there has been the renewed focus on
bringing family physicians to the area with two new doctors working out of the
Springwater Health Centre at Carson and Bayfield. Springwater contributes only
about $8,000 a year and during my term we established a program to donate the
funds from the annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament. Apparently, when asked, the fund
is dry as there was no tournament this year (not sure why they didn’t stage a
virtual tournament as other municipalities have done and raised funds). I know
we had quite a surplus at the end of my term as Mayor and not sure where that
money has gone. Since the program now works so well, because of the leadership
of Dr. Murdoch, I now support this funding being an annual budget item rather
than from fund raising activities. I do want to make it clear that in the past
I did not think it should be a budgeted item as I was not confident at the time
of where the funds were being deployed. Things do change for the better.
Building Inspectors – Outsourcing
With the upswing in new residential developments, especially
the mega developments in Midhurst unleashed by this Council, the Springwater building
department is overwhelmed with work. I just want to say I think we have one of
the best Chief Building Officials around and feel comfortable when he comes to
the table and asks for something. My experience with him was one of efficiency
and effectiveness which today seems to be lacking in many department heads. The
request and plan is to outsource the extra work to an agency, as bringing on
full time employees has its challenges. In addition you will find the work load
typically ebbs and flows. Councillor Moore provided a suggestion of looking
into more student graduates and internships to help with the transition. Ottawa
has had some success with this. I know the Township has also shared resources
with neighbouring municipalities such as Wasaga Beach and Innisfil in times of
need, but I expect they are also experiencing staffing pressures as their
communities attract new residents from the GTA.
I do encourage you to watch some Council Meetings as
you will be voting in two years for a new Council, and I think we might need
some new faces. Again, please remember these are my thoughts and I am not
asking you to agree. I respect your freedom of expression and encourage you to
SPEAK UP, before that freedom is taken from us!!
Bill French is a seasoned business leader with over 40 years experience and served in senior positions of International Enterprises. Bill served as Mayor of Springwater and a County of Simcoe Councillor from 2014 to 2018 and has taught business at the college level for over 15 years.
