Rideau Lakes Mayor Arie Hoogenboom says he won’t be bullied into stepping down as some members of councillors call on him to do so.
It’s the latest salvo in a two-year turf battle in which the mayor says is the most difficult term he’s ever experienced.
The motion was put forth by Councillor Paula Banks, and was supported by Councillors Jeff Banks, Sue Dunfield, and Deborah Hutchings.
Banks said one of the reasons she did so was Hoogenboom’s use of strong mayor powers to veto the Chantry municipal office retrofit project moving out to tender, which she said was done in bad faith.
Banks also cited Hoogenboom’s second use of strong mayor powers, when he directed staff to compile a total number of recorded votes executed in this council term, as well as tally up the total number of integrity commissioner reports, as another reason for the motion.
Hoogenboom told myFM it’s other members of council who need to reflect on their own behaviour.
He took exception to the motion which alongside Paula Banks, supported by Councillors Jeff Banks, Sue Dunfield, and Deborah Hutchings.
Hoogenboom was also referring to Councillor Linda Carr, who was absent from the five and a half hour long meeting when the motion took place. Hoogenboom had also left prior to the vote, which came following a seven-item closed meeting agenda.
The motion calling for his resignation passed 4-2 with Councillors Ron Pollard and Marcia Maxwell opposed. Neither spoke in defence of the mayor in the public session after the motion was tabled.
Hear our full interview with Hoogenboom below.
Story by Grant Deme