There was lots of controversy at Belleville city council Tuesday night as the mayor and several councillors found themselves at loggerheads on a number of issues.
The issues included the releasing of the name of a councillor under an Integrity Commission review ahead of completion of the review.
Councillor Ryan Williams objected to this after his name was mentioned in open council as being under a commission review. The issue was not mentioned.
Williams told Quinte News it would be proven to be not true.
Councillor Paul Carr complained that the city’s finance committee had checked the audit of a specific city employee’s travel claims over a two year period, contrary to policy. Carr indicated the committee shouldn’t be targeting specific staff members.
He said, “the Municipal Act is clear” and that “this isn’t a road we should be going down.”
The staff name was released as Director of Recreation and Culture Mark Fluhrer.
Chair of Finance Committee Councillor Bill Sandison told council there had been a complaint to the committee and it had been handled in committee. Sandison added nothing was found to be of concern.
On another issue, Councillor Chris Malette complained to council that he had made it clear to Mayor Mitch Panciuk he wanted to be on the new Protective Services Committee considering his familiarity with the issues as a long-time journalist, but was not put on that committee.
Councillor Malette expressed concern about the divisions on council.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk told Quinte News this new committee will be dealing with a number of issues related to Thurlow Ward Two and that was considered in setting the committee membership, which was approved by council.
Panciuk said councillors should consider speaking with the other councillors concerned rather than raising all these issues in public council sessions.
