Another apology from Fort Frances Mayor June Caul.
This one related to a court case between her and Councillor Doug Judson
Judson filed court action last year, alleging the mayor overstepped her authority as mayor.
At town council last night, Caul read a statement acknowledging what her role should be.
Here is the entire statement.
“I, June Caul, Mayor of the Town of Fort Frances, hereby acknowledge that:
1. Sections 224 to 229 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25 (“Municipal Act”) confer on me, as head of council, no role in the administration of the municipality;
2. The Town of Fort Frances‘ Procedural Bylaw and Staff/Council Relations Policy create no powers, authority, or role for the Mayor in the administration of the municipality;
3. Council of the Town of Fort Frances has delegated no management or administrative powers, authority, or role to me under section 23.1 of the Municipal Act or otherwise;
4. The function of the chief executive officer of the municipality, as defined in section 226.1 of the Act, confers no administrative or internal management role in the municipality on the head of council;
5. I was never appointed chief administrative officer (“CAO”) of the Town of Fort Frances or otherwise given the ability to exercise the role of the CAO, which is disallowed by section 258(1) of the Municipal Act;
6. As Mayor, I have no power or authority, without the prior authorization, delegation, or direction of Council, nor any power or authority under any bylaw or policy of the Town of Fort Frances:
a. To order, direct, or instruct administrative staff of the municipality to do or not to do anything;
b. To exercise or enforce the rights of the municipality under any contract unless specifically authorized; or
c. To instruct legal counsel for the municipality; and
7. The role of the head of council, under section 225 of the Municipal Act, “to provide leadership to council” and “to provide information and recommendations to council with respect to the role of council” does not confer on the head of council any role, power, or authority:
a. To obstruct or block informational requests from councillors to administration;
b. To withhold information or records from councillors that is properly requested from administration;
c. To direct municipal staff to disregard inquiries from councillors; or
d. To undermine and interfere with the democratic function, lawful role, and performance of the duties of councillors.”
Caul hoped by reading the statement in hopes of the matter being settled and council could work for the betterment of the community.
Judson says he also received a personal apology.
In a state, he too was content to having the matter behind him.
The cases between him and the mayor was scheduled to resume with a hearing this Friday.
An Integrity Commissioner’s report in December identified Caul had improperly acted as Chief Administrative Officer on two occasions.
Caul made a public apology following that report.
Judson’s court action against Caul was launched before the report was made public.
