Rideau Lakes Mayor Arie Hoogenboom’s apologized for claiming in an interview with the CBC he had received advice from the office of MPP Steve Clark prior to using strong mayor powers to veto the Chantry municipal office build moving to tender, after Clark said that didn’t happen and called on him to retract his comments.
The mayor attempted to clarify his remarks Monday.
Hoogenboom declined to identify the other parties he consulted when considering his decision, after being asked to do so in the name of transparency by Councillor Paula Banks.
Banks said a public apology was the least Hoogenboom could do.
Hoogenboom said shortly after Clark’s comments, he called the MPP and offered an apology via voicemail, and contacted CBC in a bid to clarify his meaning.
In doing so the mayor felt he corrected his mistake, and the motion put forth by Councillor Sue Dunfield was an attempt to tarnish his image, which she took exception to.
Hoogenboom alongside council attended additional training offered by the ministry last month around proper use of the powers.
Council recently passed a motion have staff pursue their legal options against Hoogenboom’s veto.
Story by Grant Deme