‘Serious questions’
Dear Editor:
Public confidence in municipal government depends not only on the decisions council makes, but on whether those decisions are carried out, material changes are transparent and elected officials are accountable.
The Town of Erin’s handling of the Hillsburgh Pit commercial fill agreement raises serious questions.
On June 11 council passed a motion directing that letters be sent to the appropriate provincial ministries requesting a pause in rehabilitation approvals to allow time to address community feedback and negotiate proper procedures with the proponent. Yet the amendment proceeded, was approved, and the aggregate licence was surrendered. The requested pause did not occur.
Was council’s direction carried out? If not, why not? The public deserves a clear answer.
There are also unanswered questions about the final agreement. The version presented to the public provided for a three-year term, with a potential extension. However, the agreement signed by the mayor and clerk on April 7 provides for a straight 20-year term.
Council authorized the agreement to be finalized substantially in the form presented as Appendix A, subject to revisions. We have not identified a separate council resolution expressly authorizing this change. The town should explain publicly what authority was relied upon to make such a significant change.
For more than four months, council has stated that it is discussing this matter with its legal counsel. Yet the explanation offered is that the town has signed an agreement and has been reminded by its lawyers and the CAO that it is legally binding. The public already understands that. What remains unanswered is what advice council has received about the circumstances surrounding the agreement, the change in term, and the options available to address the concerns raised.
We recognize that solicitor-client privilege must be respected. However, council should communicate what it can about the advice received and the options considered. Legal advice should not become a substitute for meaningful public accountability.
Residents may disagree about this project, but confidence in local government requires that council’s directions be followed, material changes be transparent, and legitimate questions receive meaningful answers.
Accountability means explaining not only what was decided, but whether council’s directions were followed and who authorized the final outcome.
The people of Erin deserve those answers.
Jacqueline Guagliardi,
Erin