On November 14, 2007 Councillor Maureen Boldt, who is currently serving four months house arrest for contempt of court, sent a letter to the city asking whether council members can permit her to attend council meetings via teleconference.
On November 14, 2007 Councillor Maureen Boldt, who is currently serving four months house arrest for contempt of court, sent a letter to the city asking whether council members can permit her to attend council meetings via teleconference.
Last night a majority of council members were not happy with the request and denied it for mostly legal reasons. Councillor Judy Koziol said, “She is asking us to go against the Municipal Act and the spirit of her sentence.”
The Municipal Act states (under Bill 130) that members of council must be present at the same time and place. Therefore, electronic communication is not permissible.
The Municipal act does make exceptions for extreme circumstances, but only bereavement leave and severe illness.
While most councillors were “not in the mood to make exceptions for someone who has broken the law elsewhere”, Councillor Chris Mayne was not of like mind.
“I have heard from both sides and many people… I think this is a very challenging issue. I acknowledge the Municipal Act but I have to respect the mandate. I feel it should be up to those who elected her,” Mayne said.
Earlier in the month Boldt told media that the Municipal Act allows for electronic attendance. She backed this up; stating that Toronto allows its council members to attend via teleconference.
However, the Toronto council operates under the City of Toronto Act. This Act is different from the Ontario Municipal Act.
Councillor Mike Anthony said it is crucial for Boldt to stick to the facts and remain trustworthy.
"Coun. Boldt earlier said Tom mason was given a 6 month leave of absence to check out a new job in the Cayman Islands. This was not true; he gave his notice & was replaced shortly after."
"A second misleading statement is the very request that we could consider allowing teleconferencing for her to attend meetings. Ms. Boldt could have checked with our city solicitor and found what we did---that is against the municipal act for all cities in Ontario to have council teleconferencing. The exception is Toronto," Anthony said.
“It is not fair to put this (issue of teleconferencing) on council’s shoulders',” Deputy Mayor Peter Chirico continued, “It is her (Boldt’s) responsibility to deal with the consequences of her actions.”
Boldt has not yet requested an extension to her 90 day non-attendance allowance.
Milt Colyer, North Bay resident, believes it should be left up to the people who elected Boldt to council.
An excerpt of Colyer’s speech to council below:
Mr. Mayor and Members of Council;
My name is Milt Colyer and I would like to speak to you regarding Councillor Maureen Boldt before you make any decisions.
I believe she has been on council for four terms, elected by the people of North Bay, and she should be allowed to complete this term. Let the people then decide whether they want her in or out at the next election.
The court has already sentenced her with a stiff fine and restricted her from making a living, but there was no mention that she could not attend council meetings via teleconference…
You should take into consideration the number of years and the amount of work she has contributed as a Councillor for the City of North Bay.
