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Councillors declared several conflicts of interest during term CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Wives, jobs and property ownership led to numerous declarations of pecuniary conflict of interest by members of Halton Hills council during their 2003-2006 term of office. A review of the declarations made at the start of each meeting, from December 2003 to July 10, 2006, shows that job conflicts top the list of declarations. Under the Ontario Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, a council member could declare a conflict, if he/she believes that they or a member of their family could benefit financially from a council decision. Once the declaration is made, a council member will not vote or participate in any council discussion on this issue. It is the responsibility of council members to investigate (often with their lawyer) whether an issue is a potential conflict and to declare it. Among the exceptions to declaration involves consideration of council salary or if the conflict is one, which is in common with the electors generally. With four council meetings remaining in the term, Ward 4 Councillor Bob Inglis has announced the most number of conflicts, primarily in relation to the 401 Corridor. Employed by Mold-Masters, which plans to build its headquarters in the 401 Corridor, Inglis has declared a pecuniary interest with respect to every issue involving the 401 Corridor. "Mold-Masters is a driving force in the 401 Corridor being built out and they're also a dominant financial force in the built-out," said Inglis in an interview. "As an employee of Mold-Masters I declared everything in the Corridor. I want to be consistent, and I have been, so in event of any challenge for any reason, I'm protected legally." Asked if he felt removing himself from all and the North Halton Golf and Country 401 Corridor discussion compromised his Club. Lewis is a NHGCC shareholder. position as Ward 4's representative, Inglis Subsequently he also declared a conflict on replied the reverse would have been true-- the Arbor Glen development, which had it would have been more vulnerable had he become entangled in the controversy over the land swap. not made the declaration. Ward 3 Councillor Mike Davis declared a Inglis has also declared conflicts on improvement to Wildwood and Glen conflict on changes to the salvage yard byWilliams roads, as he has had family mem- law. As an environmental engineer, he was contracted by one bers living there. of the salvage yard Other conflicts he owners to do an declared included `As an employee of Moldassessment. When discussion on prop- Masters I declared everythat job finished, erty he owns for a thing in the Corridor. I he "undeclared" water easement and want to be consistent, his conflict and a deferral in the and I have been, so in commented freely farmland taxes on the bylaw because part of his event of any challenge for changes. property is assessed any reason, I'm protected Ward 3 Counas farmland. legally.' cillor Moya JohnMayor Rick son issued a conBonnette declared a -- Ward 4 Councillor Bob Inglis flict of interest conflict of interest declaration any on any issue involving the Acton Business Improve-ment Area time discussion revolved around funding to hospitals. Employed by the Child Health (BIA) as his wife is its manager. Ward 1 Councillor Jon Hurst, who owns Network, which is funded by GTA hospitals, a number of properties, declared conflicts in Johnson declared conflicts during debates relation to the Mill St. resurfacing, leasing of on saving the Georgetown obstetrics unit, his building to HHCSI, downtown Acton the reorganization of the health networks, parking issues, and Dufferin Aggregates pro- funding for midwifery care in Halton-Peel posal to increase its tonnage limit at the and for hospitals in general, and the transfer Acton Quarry (which affects his 22 Sideroad of Georgetown hospital to Halton Healthcare Services. property). Retiring Ward 4 Councillor Ron Chatten Ward 1 Councillor Michael O'Leary declared a conflict with respect to Sheridan had one conflict of interest-- on the proNurseries' application to build a subdivision posed Upper Canada College development. in Glen Williams-- his wife works at the He lives besides the proposal. Wards 1 and 2 Regional Councillor Clark company. For the same reason he announced a conflict during the Glen Somerville declared a conflict of interest on the Sobeys' construction of Price Chopper Williams Secondary Plan debate. Ward 2 Councillor Bryan Lewis declared a and improvements to Canadian Tire on conflict on the land swap between the Town Guelph St.-- his employer at the time was located across the street. He also declared a conflict with a Todd Rd. building, as the potential lessee was located beside his employer. Later in the term, when he changed jobs, now working for the olde Hide House, Somerville declared a conflict on the Eastern Ave. construction and the proposal to hold the Saturday Trunk Sale in the olde Hide House parking lot. Somerville also declared a conflict on an issue involving a lawsuit with a local citizen, as he had already a private lawsuit with the same individual. Wards 3 and 4 Regional Councillor Jane Fogal, a shareholder at North Halton Golf and Country Club, declared a conflict regarding the Town/golf course land swap, and also subsequently discussions involving the Arbor Glen subdivision. She also announced a conflict with the debate over extending concessions to the Bennett Health Care Centre's proposal to build a seniors' apartment-- she sits on the BHCC's board of directors. Fogal also had a conflict with the Glen Secondary Plan as she lives on property whose inclusion was being debated. As well, she declared a conflict when council voted to accept a Committee of Adjustment committee decision as it involved her property. Other conflicts included the final assumption of Dominion Gardens as her brother's company did the engineering work and the deferral of property taxes for farmers and part of her property is assessed as farmland. All members of council have filed to seek re-election for their current positions in the November 13 municipal election-- with the exception of Chatten who is retiring and Davis.