Brighton isn’t getting its integrity commissioner just yet, after a number of councillors voiced displeasure with the selection process.
CAO Bill Watson had recommended appointing lawyer John Ewart, to help advise on issues of governance and behaviour between staff and councillors, but his Peterborough firm was the only one presented for councillors to select from.
Councillor John Martinello was one of a handful of councillors voting against the motion. He tells Quinte News it’s important to follow the rules of the process, especially since the integrity commissioner is intended to make sure they do just that.
Council has directed staff to get two more quotes, or proposals, from qualified law firms and report back.
Watson says he’ll be working on that right away, since it’s important to have an integrity commissioner in place sooner, rather than later.
Watson added that if any issues arise before a local integrity commissioner is put in place, it would be up to the province to assign one and the municipality would still foot the bill.
