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Mayoral challenger's complaints to go no further by Michael Gregory Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Thursday, January 8, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com It took more than two months for Oakville resident and 2014 mayoral challenger John McLaughlin's integrity complaint against Mayor Rob Burton to come before council and only 13 minutes of debate to stop it from going any further. "If you look at the documentation, if you look at what's presented there, this is a strictly political complaint and giving it any legs whatsoever is simply to distract us, distract our staff and to spend money needlessly," said Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll, who quickly voiced his opinion from the outset at the Dec. 22 Town of Oakville council meeting. Only councillors Sean O'Meara, a newcomer in Ward 1, and veteran Pam Damoff of Ward 2, stood against the majority of council as a 9-2 decision to receive the complaint, and nothing more, was passed. Absent were Ward 4 Councillor Roger Lapworth and Mayor Rob Burton, the latter who had excused himself from the discussion. McLaughlin also did not attend the council meeting, something Ward 5 Councillor Marc Grant noted when speaking to the item. As one of Burton's mayoral opponents in the 2014 municipal election, McLaughlin had submitted a formal complaint to the Town on Oct. 6 alleging breaches of council's code of conduct. A further related grievance was submitted nine days later. The original was received a few weeks shy of election day, but not processed until after the ballots were counted because of a Town policy supported by Ontario's Municipal Act. McLaughlin, a former federal lawyer, insisted his actions were not a political jab at Burton but a matter of "awareness" and were within his rights as a citizen. At the Dec. 22 meeting, Damoff said she had hesitations about council solely deciding what action, if any, should be taken. "I, just in terms of openness and transparency, have a problem with us determining whether or not this is something that should be investigated or not," Damoff said. "I would feel more comfortable if it was someone outside of council." see Knoll on p.8 inside today's Spotlight Beaver Trails Health Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 26 27 Arts Sports Classified 28 30 34 For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com Pharmasave Drugs, Metro, Best Buy, M&M Meats, Hoopers Pharmacy, Rabba, Formula Media, P&G Brandsaver, Nature's Source, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Lowes Canada, Hear More Canada, Food Basics, Subway, JYSK Bed & Bath, 2001 Audio Video, Home Hardware, Smart Source, National Sports, Home Outfitters, Fortinos, Maritime Travel, Shoppers Drug Mart, Target, Michaels, Rexall, Pharma Plus, The Source, Home Depot, Toys R Us, Walmart, Red Plum, Sobeys, Centennial Windows, Kohl & Firsch, Reliance, Future Shop, Canadian Tire, Drug Trading, Freshco, Slimband Inc. r e v e e l a s k e e W g n i x O B t s e g g Our Bi Entire tire Store On S Sale! Plus SAVE AN ADDITIONAL 20%* * fall and Winter catalog items excluded *see store for details *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes Icare optIcal y2 BuairS y P om oNl fr END NDS SUNDA NDAY Oakville MiSSiSSauga 9 leN 6 $1 e *Se Sto eS e r f Se r e fo il eta rd S 9 $9 ilorive P (No S reSSS ) eS g Se cal o o r leNe Bif -liN concept lighting 243 Speers Road 905.849.liTe(5483) 5980 Mclaughlin Rd. #3 near Britannia 905.712.4548 1515 n. Service Road 905.331.7444 BuRlingTOn eye exam oN Site 905-842-2005 (@ dorval iN the toyS r uS Plaza, Next to lcBo) 300 North Service rd W. www.conceptlighting.ca GIVE YOUR KIDS THE KEYS TO SUCCEED CLASSES STARTING ON JANUARY 30, FEBRUARY 2 & 7, 2015 REGISTER TODAY YD.COM/OAKVILLE | (289) 327-2407