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theorists would have questioned if it was done Continued from pg. 1 In deciding to turn the investigation over to by Halton Police." "These costly investigations on whims from the OPP, Staff Sgt. Don Cousens of Halton a few people in town do cost tax dollars and Police said it was "because of the fact we had a local council member (Clark Somerville) on it's unfortunate that a few in town were going the Halton Regional Police Services Board, to Toronto national newspapers to discredit our community and for what pur(and) we wanted that transparency pose-- their own political gain," said and an independent investigation." Bonnette. Derrick Williams, a Georgetown McNally, president of NHGCC, resident who was among the citizens said police questioned him about the who initiated the complaint with land transfer. police, said Friday he was "very sur"I couldn't see any other outcome prised" by the outcome of the investithan what they came out with," said gation. McNally, who didn't have any con"The way they (Halton Hills councerns with the golf club's dealing in cil) wouldn't tell us what happened the land swap, and was confident in-camera we thought there was RICK something wrong. If they had told us, BONNETTE that council members didn't break any rules or laws. we wouldn't have bothered going "I wasn't concerned at all about any further," said Williams, who has the whole thing. I found it alarming in the appeared before council more than once seeking answers on the land swap and Andrews' sense it's (the police investigation) a waste of taxpayers' dollars," said McNally. resignation. "There was nothing ever there," said The other citizens who filed the complaint Councillor Jane Fogal, sister of McNally and a with Halton Police were George Marcoux, Stephen Grasby, Al Kirouac and Ted member of the North Halton golf club. She Thompson-- all who have had public dis- was one of the councillors who declared a conflict on the land swap issue, and didn't vote. putes on various matters with the Town. "It's just astonishing that people came forThe findings of the OPP investigation did ward with this," said Fogal. not come as a surprise to Halton Hills Mayor Councillor Moya Johnson, who also Rick Bonnette, who said he was confident declared a conflict on the land transfer was "there was absolutely no wrongdoing" on the confident in their actions. Her husband at the part of council. "I felt all along that the council acted in the time worked at the golf club. "I was pleased they found out that everybest interest of taxpayers on the land transfer," said Bonnette. "But the police have to follow thing we did was right," said Johnson. "I through because otherwise we would be dis- know when I have a conflict, and always declare it." appointed if they didn't." The third councillor to declare a conflict Bonnette said he was "completely satisfied was Bryan Lewis, a member of the club. with the investigation," and added it was done by the OPP because "some conspiracy --By Lisa Tallyn, staff writer