Councillors here have deferred discussion of Mayor Lou Maieron’s request to be paid a per diem for a trip to China taken earlier this year.
In May, Maieron took part in a 10-day mayors’ trade mission sponsored by the Canada China Investment Association (CCIA).
At a special meeting of Wellington County council on Aug. 14 county councillors approved picking up $2,500 of the China trip tab.
Now it looks like the mayor is asking the town to pay for another portion of the trip.
Initially at the Nov. 5 Erin council session, the mayor had asked that a presentation on his China trip be moved forward in the agenda. He agreed there was a hefty agenda before council, but a time for the presentation was already allocated on the night’s agenda.
“I’m playing within the rules,” said Maieron.
He contended it was only after the fact that he discovered it was a long agenda.
Councillor Deb Callaghan contended “it is a very long agenda.”
She also pointed out that councillor Barb Tocher was not in attendance, and that it was important for Tocher to hear not only the per diem request, but the China presentation as well.
Maieron asked “is council going to defer all items of business tonight because [one councillor] isn’t here?”
Councillor John Brennan clarified that if there is a motion to defer on the floor, “my only understanding is that the only discussion that can take place is the timing of the deferral – not whether it’s warranted.”
CAO Kathryn Ironmonger agreed with Brennan’s assessment.
The motion to defer was seconded by councillor Josie Wintersinger and was passed.
Following his return from the overseas excursion, Maieron acknowledged in an interview with the Wellington Advertiser that he had heard there was considerable discussion on how the trade mission was, or would be, funded.
Prior to the trip, mayors were required to come up with funds for the airfare and visas, while the costs overseas were covered through the CCIA.
Maieron made it clear that his intent was to claim all or part of the expense in the same manner in which municipal politicians are allowed to claim expenses for attending conventions.
Maieron said county policies allow councillors to attend three conventions each year, one of which can be outside of Canada.
“I take the banner as having the lowest spending over the past 11 years (as a county councillor and later as mayor of Erin),” Maieron said when asked about the cost.
Maieron considered the cost reasonable to be able to represent Erin and Wellington County overseas.
“In the past, I have been respectful of the tax dollars – I think this is good value for the money,” he said.
The per diem payment is likely to surface at a future meeting, at which point council is expected to make a decision.
