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Campaign ads don't belong on buses: Town by Michael Gregory Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Thursday, October 2, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Two mayoral candidates, including Rob Burton, have been ordered by the Town Clerk's office to remove political advertisements from Oakville Transit buses because the ads violate Town policies. Third-party contractor, Pattison Outdoor Advertisement, recently sold advertising space on the side of local buses for both candidates, according to Town Clerk Vicki Tytaneck. "Pattison approached us (our campaign) and told us that other candidates were buying bus ads," Burton said. "Since someone else was supposedly buying an ad, or ads, we decided we would buy three panels and see if it did any good." Three exterior 139-inch-by-30-inch advertisements valued at $500 each were purchased promoting Burton for mayor. Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Gordon Brennan purchased one exterior ad and another for inside a bus for just over $1,000. Pattison's vice president and general manager of national sales Bob Leroux said a sales representative had been "approaching local candidates to inquire about their advertising campaigns, and the potential to run out-of-home (that which reaches people when they are not at home) advertising..." Ads for both Burton and Brennan were installed the weekend of Sept. 20, confirmed Leroux. According to Tytaneck, the Town became aware of them on Sept. 25 -- prior to any complaints being received from the public -- and ordered they be taken down. "We advised all candidates who might be interested in doing that, that it wasn't allowed under our contract with our advertising agency," said Town spokesperson Jane Courtemanche. That derailed the bus ad campaigns for Burton and Brennan. Oakville's Town Clerk ordered mayoral candidates Rob Burton and Gordon Brennan to remove campaign ads off Oakville Transit buses. | Instagram/voteRobBurton.ca Additionally, according to the Town's Code of Conduct for councillors and the mayor, the use of Town resources is not allowed by sitting members. "Use of municipal resources, both actual municipal property and staff time, for election-related activity is strictly prohibited," the policy reads. Burton said he accepts responsibility for the error, but disputes the clarity of the code of conduct. "No I wasn't aware that it was in the councillor code of conduct because the councillor code of conduct doesn't say anything about bus ads," he said. "I invite you to consider that the streets and boulevards where we're allowed to put signs is also Town property, so some interpretation is required." As part of its contract, Pattison is required to follow By setting an example of the guidelines set out in the using transit ads, Town's Corporate Grants, Sponsorship, Naming Rights I thought I, and and Advertising Sales policy. whoever the other According to the Town candidates are, were Clerk's office, the Province's doing a good Municipal Elections Act also thing. restricts the use of Town resources by councillors and potential candidates. Rob Burton Courtemanche said PattiOakville mayoral candidate incumbent son apologized for selling the ad space despite the guidelines, but noted the firm was not aware of the code of conduct. "It was just really a confusion," she said. "The person at our advertising agency just wasn't aware that that was in our agreement with them." Pattison occasionally requests Oakville Transit's review of a potentially controversial ad, but it is not a requirement of its contract with the Town. "I think, in this particular case, they didn't run anything by me because they understood it was OK," said Oakville Transit Director Barry Cole. Burton said that while his campaign immediately complied with the ruling, he believes municipal candidates should be able to advertise on Oakville Transit buses. "I believe our transit system could be a really valuable advertising medium and it could increase revenue for the Town," Burton said. "And by setting an example of using transit ads, I thought I, and whoever the other candidates are, were doing a good thing." ceramics porcelain travertine marble glass natural stone mosaics slate granite quartz 12' x 24' INgROUND KIDNEy SHAPED POOL SAFETy COVER SALE!!! 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