Rideau Lakes Mayor Arie Hoogenboom explained his reasonings behind vetoing the tender process of the Chantry municipal office retrofit through strong mayoral powers in an interview with myFM.
He thinks the five acres offered to the Township near Elgin to build a new space makes more sense than retrofitting a building that’s more than four decades old.
The mayor said the majority of staff are opposed to remaining in Chantry and support a new space with a more central location.
Deputy Mayor Paula Banks shared her thoughts on that front in an interview with myFM Tuesday.
Banks noted she’s more than happy to pay top dollar for staff because it attracts quality candidates.
When asked why he chose to implement his strong mayor powers prior to getting project costing, Hoogenboom said it wouldn’t be fair to anyone involved in the process if he hadn’t, knowing he’d axe the ensuing decision.
Banks feels his opposition to the project is personal.
Hoogenboom also took aim at “The Group of Five,” as he felt they’re making decisions based on their wants, and not the township’s needs.
“The Group of Five,” refer to five councillors which includes Banks, alongside her husband Jeff Banks, Sue Dunfield, Deborah Hutchings, and Linda Carr – who generally vote together on agenda items, often resulting in 5-4 votes, now 5-3 since the resignation of Joan Delaney.
Hoogenboom wants to explore the Elgin land parcel further, which he said council didn’t fully consider.
Banks disputed that claim.
Council has 21 days to overturn a strong mayor veto when enacted from the moment it is declared.
To do so would require two-thirds of a council vote, in this case it that would mean six of the eight sitting councillors to override Hoogenboom’s decision.
The mayor told myFM he “knows for a fact,” council doesn’t have the numbers to overturn his veto, whereas Banks told us she would be “shocked,” if they didn’t have enough support after conversations with fellow councillors.
The vote takes place at a special council meeting Wednesday at 12:45 p.m.
Story by Grant Deme