Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Ethics lacking at WL City Hall

At last night's WL Council meeting, Mayor Kerry Cook remained in Council Chambers while the following two items were discussed:

a) Williams Lake Church Taxation Exemption Amendment Bylaw No. 2123, 2010 (Salvation Army, 272 Borland Street)

b) Support for TRU to Host the 2011 BC Rural Network AGM & Workshop

While both items do not benefit Mayor Cook personally as defined in the Community Charter, previous Williams Lake Council members' have left Council Chambers when a item related to their employer or where a item could negatively affect their public perception by staying in the meeting, just like Councillor Surinder Rathor did in 2007 when a rezoning application was brought forward by his employer, Tolko Industries

On item "a", Mayor Cook is well on public record supporting the Salvation Army's "Soup Kitchen" and as such, she should have practiced prudence/ethics and recused herself from Council Chambers when Bylaw #2123, 2010 was discussed

On item "b", it is well known that Mayor Cook works for TRU and as such, she should have recused herself from Council Chambers when a letter of support from TRU to host the 2011 BC Rural Network AGM was discussed

I believe people respect politicians who practice prudence & ethics in the conduct in their office (Mayor, Councillor or Electoral Area Director)

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