A regular attendee at Puslinch council meetings used a recent appearance as a delegation to put a councillor on the spot for failing to declare what she perceived to be a conflict of interest regarding the Highway 6 bypass around Morriston.
Resident Bev Wozniak said the proposed route for the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) project will pass directly through a farm property belonging to councillor Susan Fielding’s family.
“In my opinion, that’s a conflict of interest,” Wozniak said, noting the councillor could benefit financially from the sale of the land if the bypass is approved.
Wozniak asked if Fielding has obtained a legal opinion on the matter, and Fielding replied a lawyer has told her she does not have a conflict of interest.
Puslinch council has never held a vote on the matter or even considered a decision about the bypass, but Wozniak argued Fielding’s regular lobbying for the project constitutes a conflict of interest.
Mayor Brad Whitcombe, who initially told Wozniak he was uncomfortable she was appearing as a delegation without any information (she failed to notify staff of the purpose), noted it is up to each councillor to declare a conflict of interest.
The mayor said Fielding has received a legal opinion and he is “satisfied” with her decision.
Councillor Dick Visser said Wozniak has been opposed to the Highway 6 bypass from the beginning and she is using the conflict-of-interest allegation as a “cheap” way of opposing the project.
“I think this is about the lowest thing that has ever come to council,” he said sternly.
Although cautioned several times by Whitcombe for failing to keep order, Visser said Wozniak’s attempt to personally “smear” Fielding, the one person that has fought tirelessly for the bypass, is a “pretty low” thing to do – especially considering the number of accidents and fatalities on the highway.
Wozniak said that is simply Visser’s opinion and she tried to further her own case before being cut short by Whitcombe, who said Wozniak was more than welcome to submit her concerns in writing.
Later in the meeting, Whitcombe apologized to Fielding and council for Wozniak’s allegations. He said he never would have allowed Wozniak to appear as a delegation if he knew she was “going to pull that stunt.”
