Pelham's Mayor thinks Niagara should apologize to the Ombudsman.
Dave Augustyn is reacting to the report 'Press Pause' which was released yesterday looking into a December incident where a St. Catharines Standard reporter had his equipment seized and was told to leave a regional council meeting after being accused of trying to secretly record a closed door meeting.
You can hear St. Catharines Standard's Bill Sawchuk’s interview with Tim Denis by clicking here.
The report found the move was illegal and it also raised concerns about how a lawyer hired by Niagara tried to dictate the outcome of the report and even questioned the authority of the Ombudsman to investigate the matter.
You can listen to Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dube’s interview with CKTB’s Matt Holmes by clicking here.
Augustyn, who calls the report sobering and damning says it was shocking that a lawyer hired by Niagara treated the Ombudsman with aggressive behaviour.
He says we need to take this report very seriously and take action.
Augustyn is recommending that Niagara Council apologize to the Ombudsman.
A regional council meeting will be held next Thursday to review the report.
Mayor Augustyn is running for the Regional Chair's position in the October municipal election alongside current Chair Alan Caslin, businessman John Ringo Beam and former Welland Mayor Damian Goulbourne.
Goulbourne commenting on the situation on Twitter saying he is with the residents of Niagara who are frustrated by the actions of some politicians to limit transparency in gov't to muzzle the press at the St.Catharines Standard or the Voice of Pelham. He says the Ombudsman report on the shenanigans at the Region even made it into the Toronto Star.
You can look at Damian Goulbourne’s twitter by clicking here.
Current Chair Alan Caslin joined CKTB yesterday following the report's release saying legal counsel was looking out for the best interests of the region and if lawyers overstepped their boundaries, "he's not sure".
You can hear Caslin's segment with Lee Sterry by clicking here.
Caslin says this is a learning experience for the region.
He says many of the recommendations have already been addressed and he is prepared to make a public apology to Sawchuk and the other blogger who had his equipment seized.
We asked Caslin if he thinks the report will impact his run for the regional chair position in the October municipal election, he says the voters are never wrong and they will make the right decision at the end of the day.
October's municipal election is the first time the public will vote for a Regional Chair.
In the past the Chair has been appointed by fellow council members.