(Release Date: March 7, 2017)
(CP Planning and Protection Committee Meeting - March 7, 2017)
Received from Councillor Brian Doucett
Addressed to Planning and Protection
Topic: Media Relations
SUMMARY: After repeated requests by various members of Council, the Mayor continues to refuse to respond to the media about important issues facing the community. Council needs to resolve this issue in the interests of the community we serve so that important information reaches them.
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Mayor Antonakos Statement:
I have two statements to make this evening regarding this agenda item. To ensure there are no misunderstandings regarding either of my statements, I will be providing written copies of both statements to the media at the end of this meeting. I will also be posting these statements on social media.
Statement # 1
Councillor Doucett,
On Wednesday, March 1, 2017 you sent an email to our CAO, Paul Knowles, giving him a heads-up in writing regarding this agenda item for tonight’s meeting. And in that email you made the following statement:
“After much discussion the majority of councillors asked me to put this on Tuesday agenda. Sean as chair agreed. This is a purely political issue involving council only and does not involve operations. The majority believes it has to be addressed. It has been given to Joanna to put on the agenda. The item does not qualify for in-camera.”
I would like to clearly state for the record this evening that this email, and its contents, from you Councillor Doucett to our CAO, contravenes the Municipal Act when a quorum of Councillors discussed, coordinated and agreed upon your intentions regarding this item on the agenda for this evening’s meeting. I will decide how this will be handled at a later date.
Statement # 2
Councillor Doucett,
You have directed an accusation towards me through this agenda item and I would respectfully ask you to provide some written proof or any example of where I have willfully refused or ignored the media.
I would also like to know who else on this Council is accusing me of not responding to the media. Otherwise, you are asking me to respond to unidentified individuals and hearsay based on your statement, and I quote:
“After repeated requests by various members of Council, the Mayor continues to refuse to respond to the media about important issues facing the community.”
I will now address your concern with honesty and clarity but it is only reasonable that we know who you are referring to when you say “various” members of Council. As a result of your email, the following questions come to mind:
· Why are these Council members not sending their concerns to me directly?
· When did these Councillors make these statements?
· How were these statement made to you?
· Was there a secret meeting (s) held without including myself, as Mayor?
· Are you now officially speaking on behalf of Council through this agenda item?
· Why was I not included in any of these discussions or on any related distribution list, prior to this item appearing on this agenda?
· Would it not have made sense to conduct this discussion in a more responsible manner so that Council could at least minimize any unnecessary negative publicity or damage towards our municipality?
I would also like to confirm to you here tonight, that the Deputy Mayor, despite his unauthorized public comments and statements to a national newspaper on behalf of Council, is not the official spokesperson for this Council.
The Deputy Mayor never notified me that he was making any press statement on behalf of Council regarding our community, or that he had any concerns, in writing or verbally, about my official duties or responsibilities regarding the media.
Is it not our duty as Council members to communicate with each other and resolve any issues rather than running to a national newspaper and making vague platitudes and erroneous statements like the Deputy Mayor has recently done? I’ll have more to say on this matter regarding the Deputy Mayor later on in my statement.
Councillor Trimble has never mentioned he had any concerns regarding my relationship with the media. Who have you been talking to Councillor Doucett? Where is your proof that I’ve ignored anyone?
It is my job and my job alone, to speak on behalf of Council.
Recently, the Deputy Mayor, through his public statements to a reporter from the Ottawa Sun and Citizen, has decided on his own, that he is now speaking on behalf of Council.
Councillor Doucett, where are your concerns stated with regards to the Deputy Mayor’s actions, actions that circumvent the responsibilities of my office as Mayor, and the Council you sit on as a Councillor? Where are your concerns stated in regards to the process we rule by, and for holding each and every member of this Council accountable for their public statements? Was there any careful thought exercised or any attempt to use our trusted staff to assist us in resolving the concerns that you have raised tonight?
How about this statement in the newspaper by the Deputy Mayor: “I feel, as deputy mayor, I have an obligation to speak on behalf of a council who is suffering tremendously from the same threats, bullying, intimidation and total lack of respect that many other people are, including the subjects of (Antonakos') personal vendettas that he has been carrying out since he first sat in the mayor's chair,” Flynn said.
All of us gather here regularly as a group with our staff. Is there any member of staff that you know of who could validate the Deputy Mayor’s comments?
It sounds to me that you, are asking me on behalf of the Municipality, to publicly comment on defamatory, denigrating, and unauthorized statements made to the newspaper by the Deputy Mayor.
It sounds to me that you are asking me to comment on malicious, abusive and insulting allegations made against myself, and Town staff, by the Deputy Mayor and a disgruntled developer.
It sounds to me that you are asking me, to recklessly make public statements on information and items that were and still are fallacious or subject to due process and the well-established principles of our code of conduct, the code of conduct that all of us on Council signed off on when we took our oath of office.
Should we not follow our own rules about how we conduct the Town’s business?
I think we should!
Are you asking me to make public statements about legal matters that you have been privy to, which would not only be against staffs advice, but also against any sound legal advice, including our code of conduct and the Municipal Act?
Our Municipality under the previous Mayor, was under attack by a developer, the same disgruntled developer who to this very day, continues to attack myself, this Council and our Municipality. This is a man who on numerous occasions, violated the Towns planning department application process, the building department application process, the Planning Act, Building Code Act and various other violations that I am not legally permitted to discuss, as these are in-camera items, which are Council and Staff confidential. This same disgruntled developer who has been continuously attacking our Municipality for years, even attacked our Municipality as Vice Chair of an organization that was and still is in partnership with the Town of Carleton Place on many different levels.
Councillor Doucett, would you like to make a motion to release the in-camera information about this individual so that we can then discuss these issues with the media without violating the oath of office that we took 27 months ago? I’d welcome that! Perhaps then we can speak to the media and provide our residents with facts about some of the disrespectful conduct and actions of this particular individual. Or, would you like to make comments on behalf of this Council regarding this individual, tonight, while we await the investigator’s report on his questionable complaint against myself, the sitting Mayor of Carleton Place?
As Mayor, I have every confidence in the Integrity Commissioner and I am certain that this latest publicity stunt by this disgruntled developer, will be dismissed, the same way that Councillor Black’s complaint against me was dismissed. I’d like to repeat this. The Complaint by Councillor Black against me was dismissed by the Integrity Commissioner one year ago, contrary to what has been suspiciously inferred by the media recently.
I would also like to state that this disgruntled developer who has made this contentious complaint against me has a record of assaulting a Peace Officer, a dedicated member of our staff, and senior member of our management team.
Regarding the nature of your statement in this agenda item, I’d like to say this to you Councillor Doucett, and to all members of Council, and to the residents of our community who are sitting here tonight:
I have always made myself available to the media to promote our Municipality, our residents, and Town business’, to provide any and all necessary information that assists in advancing our collective vision for Carleton Place.
Sadly, after reading the recent media coverage and statements by our Deputy Mayor, I feel violated and disrespected for my ten plus years of service to the community that I love and respect.
In regard to our local EMC reporter, I have communicated directly with Ms. Gesner almost every week, on a regular basis, using various mediums, including here before all Council members and through text messaging, email, written correspondence, information handouts, phone, and indirect channels through her supervisor, and through our staff, since the first day I took office as Mayor of this community.
With respect to other media outlets, I have participated in radio interviews on Lake 88, the most recent one being “In Focus” which was a year-end review and questions about the progress of our community, and I have routinely answered questions directly or remotely from the radio station reporter.
I have also communicated directly and indirectly with the community through social media regarding any and all important or relevant community information, updates and services, including my own personal Facebook page. I have also written many official letters representing our Municipality since becoming Mayor.
I have prepared and participated in national news programs directly on behalf of our community, promoting our Municipality through the CBC, CTV and CJOH and at Queens Park. All without any indication of concern, written or verbal, by any member of this Council or the public.
But I have to say, that one of the latest questionable articles by the EMC reporter has caused me deep concern for our Municipality, particularly with respect to an honourable and recently deceased member of our community.
As Mayor of Carleton Place, back in June - 2015, it was my privilege to have presented and honoured Denzil Baird for his lifetime community achievements and commemoration of his 90thbirthday with a plaque. Denzil and I shared a beautiful moment that evening and I will never forget it.
How our local reporter and newspaper could take this individual’s memory and that wonderful moment, and use it as a negative story line about how I ignored this man and the media, is not only disturbing, but disheartening to me as a person, and as the Mayor of Carleton Place.
Regarding the EMC reporter - Ms. Gesner, I have never intentionally ignored you. If I am available to take your call or message, and if I am in a position to properly comment without compromising my oath of office or code of conduct, I have, and I will continue to communicate with you, or anyone in our community regarding municipal matters.
What concerns me most right now regarding Council, is that this agenda item and discussion is taking place without any background material or valid references to inform Council or the residents of our community in regards to what this is really about or how to begin to solve a problem that appears to have been fabricated in the newspapers.
The issues that really appear at the forefront of this agenda item tonight, is the number of erroneous and unsubstantiated claims by the Deputy Mayor, two reporters and a disgruntled developer.
Will members of this Council here tonight, now seriously commit to the well-established processes we currently have in place with our Municipality to handle and discuss important issues and concerns, instead of bypassing our policies and procedures in dealing with Town and Council issues, concerns and business?
I would also ask all of you who have a seat at this Council, and the local press, to seriously consider the damage that has been done to the image and long term marketability of our community through these questionable acts and flawed newspaper articles.
I am asking now that this Council, together, move forward and serve the residents of our community in a way that demonstrates respect and cooperation. If you have something to say, then it should be said properly, through proper channels, with supporting background information or materials, in order to give ‘anyone in question’ or everyone in question, a chance to respond and work towards finding a viable solution to whatever problem is presented.
I would like to end my statement on a more positive note, regarding two items.
First, I would like to state some of the highlights and successes this Council and our staff have had in the past year that will be mentioned in the upcoming Progress Report publication. And second, I would also like to make a motion.
Some of the highlights that will be in the soon to be published Progress Report in the EMC are as follows:
A preliminary “Communications Guide and Basic Plan” have been recently delivered to Council, the Business Improvement Association (DCP) and the Chamber of Commerce for review and discussion.
Two subdivision agreements were signed and development has started, one being 22 units along King Street for Brigil Homes and the other signing of the Jackson Ridge Subdivision for 134 units.
Both Miller’s Crossing Subdivision, by Cardel and Meadow Ridge Estates by Olympia/Pegasus Homes have been issued conditional permits for model homes. The number of units added to the Town of Carleton Place inventory will be 724 once complete.
Because of initiatives implemented by Council; such as the waiving of development fees within the Downtown Core, the Town has added 6 new apartments to the area which increases our rental units. Four secondary suites have been constructed due to changes to the Provincial Policy Statement allowing secondary suites as-of-right. Both the apartments and secondary suites will help to add affordable housing to the area. Secondary suites will also enable multi-generational families to live together and provide for one another.
The Town continues with intensification in line with the Provincial Policy Statement and has added an additional 12 new residential lots within the Town boundary, a good portion of these within the Mississippi District Residential area (old town).
JL Couroux School has made application and is constructing a large addition to their school to add a class room for daycare. They have also done internal renovations to improve barrier free accessibility.
St. Mary’s Catholic school has also done upgrades including the reconstruction of their ramp to allow for barrier free access. The hospital has also upgraded a shower room to make it barrier free.
The municipality welcomes a new McDonald’s restaurant to the Town of Carleton Place. McDonald’s opened their doors in November, began hiring, increasing jobs within our community. Next door to the McDonald’s, the Thruway restaurant has added an addition to their building for a kitchen and storage space.
Roy Brown Park is also under development due to the Town receiving a generous Canada 150 Grant from the Province of Ontario as well as through negotiations with Cavanaugh Construction relating to the development of a water feature within the Roy Brown Park. A network of pathways have already been constructed. This summer will bring further development of trail linkages between Roy Brown Park, Riverside Park and a proposed adjoining development.
These trails and many others, including the Lanark County Rail Trail, are currently under review by various departments as well as the Town’s Active Transportation Committee.
These trails and many others, including the Lanark County Rail Trail, are currently under review by various departments as well as the Town’s Active Transportation Committee.
The Town has listed some of its own properties for sale and has recently sold lands on Bridge Street, development of which has started for the creation of two townhouse blocks with a total of 8 units. Further purchase and sale agreements of other Town owned lands are in the works for 2017.
Both the Carleton Place Town Hall and Arena will be getting upgrades. 2016 saw intensive masonry restoration on the side of the Town Hall facing onto Mill Street. Planning is well underway for the expansion of the arena to allow for dressing rooms with design and construction to begin in 2017.
Further, a portion of the Lanark County Rail Trail that goes by the Woolgrowers property is being designed as parkland and community space.
Several construction projects are now underway at the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital. They include a new roof with increased energy efficiency, a new boiler and various plant upgrades. In all, just over $1 million in renovations are underway, thanks to special funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
In addition to the above work, there will be a new 9000 square foot emergency room addition to our hospital. The estimated cost of the new addition once completed will be approximately $10 million with $8.75 million coming from the province. Construction is expected to begin in 2019.
There have been a record number of new businesses in Carleton Place, including: McDonald’s, Black Tartan Kitchen; Brown & MacFarlane Glass; Carousel Kids Consignment; Chesswood; Giardino Lifestyle Salon and Academy; Sargent Fire & Security; Haley Rehab; Ink & Iron Tattoo Co.; Renewed With Love Bridal Outlet; Rhonda’s Kitchen; The Twisted Barber; and Under Pressure Coffee House, French Press Café and Et Cetera Home.
I would also like to state that I have been working closely with the planning department on an “affordable housing project” that 'should' be finalized within the next 30 days. This project will have a full build out value in excess of $2 million dollars.
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And now my motion.
In the best interest of accountability and transparency, I once again ask members of this Council to support the motion that I previously made seven months ago, to video-stream all public proceedings in this Chamber so that the Town’s business is open and accessible to each and every resident of our community.
This motion, and approval of video-streaming, will complement and enhance the efforts and actions that are already taking place in regards to the ongoing work we have been doing with the key stakeholders in our community in developing a formal Communications Guide for our Municipality.
Councillor Black, will you second this motion?
Contact Information:
Phone: 613-257-6206
Email: lantonakos@carletonplace.ca
Email: lantonakos@carletonplace.ca
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