This has been a fascinating four years as Mayor! I have always worked in a corporate or senior government world. Yet I never imagined how turbulent and unethical the world of politics could be. One of my opponents has blamed me for everything from bad weather to the world economic down-turn. While the previous comment is, of course, tongue-in-cheek, there have been a number of instances where he has attacked my personal integrity. Here is how I responded to this kind of behaviour in a recent mail-out:
Dear Constituents,
My father always told me to take the high road. Over this four-year term of office I have seen so much “propaganda” written about alleged incidents at the Township. Previously, I have resisted responding to these uninformed, untruthful and often anonymous comments. I have been encouraged, however, with the election approaching, to speak out on a couple of matters.
First, I want to make a few general points:
Dear Constituents,
My father always told me to take the high road. Over this four-year term of office I have seen so much “propaganda” written about alleged incidents at the Township. Previously, I have resisted responding to these uninformed, untruthful and often anonymous comments. I have been encouraged, however, with the election approaching, to speak out on a couple of matters.
First, I want to make a few general points:
- Council is elected by the voters of the Township. It makes decisions based on the principle of majority rule. There will often be a majority and a minority and it is a fundamental principle that the minority respect and support the majority decision.
- I have seldom, if ever, made any significant decision without the approval of Council. I also vote as a member of Council, but I have only one vote out of six.
- A certain Councillor has continuously taken the liberty of blaming the “Mayor” for particular decisions. He seems unable to acknowledge that Council has arrived at its own majority decision.
In 2007, Councillor Bowden took an action against me for an alleged conflict of interest. He was simply wrong and tried to settle two times “out of court” prior to a court hearing. On his third attempt he agreed to withdraw all the significant allegations, and I agreed to apologize in regard to a possible third party claim, and a possible monetary interest, and to be aware of potential monetary interests in the future. In short, none of this was real and no money was involved - but, it cost the Township or its insurers over $50,000 for Councillor Bowden's frivolous actions. It was widely reported that Bowden lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman but no investigation ever took place.
The second incident in which rumours and speculation have widely circulated concerned allegations of Purchasing Policy violations involving a senior employee and a Councillor. I was the first to be informed of these matters by a Township employee. I took immediate action to confirm the validity of the reports. In spite of interference by Councillor Bowden in open Council, the situation was dealt with as quickly as possible in consultation with our solicitor and at the direction of Council. I had absolutely nothing to do with the improper conduct by the senior employee and the Councillor. The senior employee was hired by the previous Council. She is no longer an employee with the Township. Other legal actions may ensue. Lastly, there has not been an OPP investigation as reported by Councillors Bowden and Braid, nor did I interfere with such an investigation.
I hope this clarifies the many rumours that abound.
Sincerely,
Jim Walden
The second incident in which rumours and speculation have widely circulated concerned allegations of Purchasing Policy violations involving a senior employee and a Councillor. I was the first to be informed of these matters by a Township employee. I took immediate action to confirm the validity of the reports. In spite of interference by Councillor Bowden in open Council, the situation was dealt with as quickly as possible in consultation with our solicitor and at the direction of Council. I had absolutely nothing to do with the improper conduct by the senior employee and the Councillor. The senior employee was hired by the previous Council. She is no longer an employee with the Township. Other legal actions may ensue. Lastly, there has not been an OPP investigation as reported by Councillors Bowden and Braid, nor did I interfere with such an investigation.
I hope this clarifies the many rumours that abound.
Sincerely,
Jim Walden
Mayor
To read Muskoka Today's article about the outcomes of the Bowden vs. Walden suit, please click here.
To read Muskoka Today's article about the outcomes of the Bowden vs. Walden suit, please click here.
