Ft. St. John Releases More Info on Events Leading Up to Sanctions on Mayor

Monday, April 04, 2011 11:22 AM

Ft. St. John, B.C. – The City of Fort St. John has released more information about the sequence of events which lead to that City’s Council imposing sanctions on Mayor Bruce Lantz.

In a release issued today, Ft. St. John City Council says it is releasing more information because of the call from the public for more details. The information outlines the chronology of events, but does not specify details which could possibly identify the complainants as they are protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

September 2010 – The City received complaints regarding the Mayor’s conduct.
October 2010 – Council considered the complaints received. Council also took into consideration the Mayor’s conduct at a variety of functions and conferences that other Council members had attended with him and determined that an investigation was necessary.
November 2010 – Investigation commenced.
January 2011 – Investigation completed.
February 14, 2011 – Council received the Mayor’s comments regarding the complaints. Council passed the resolution imposing sanctions and directed that the resolution be brought forward to the March 14, 2011
Regular Council meeting as a number of Councillors, including the Mayor, would not be present at the February 28, 2011 Regular Council meeting.
March 14, 2011 – Council released to the public the resolution imposing the sanctions at the Regular Council meeting.

The City of Ft. St. John Council also wanted to ensure that the process did not result in litigation and a potential financial impact. Legal advice was obtained to assist in guiding Council through this unprecedented situation. The costs incurred for Council to address the complaints have totalled $35,896.98 as of March 24, 2011.

The release indicates there have been calls for Mayor Lantz to be removed from office “In response to questions from members of the public, it should be stressed that according to the Community Charter, neither the City nor City Council has the right to remove an elected official from office under these circumstances. Council is committed to moving forward and continuing to make thoughtful and informed decisions in the best interests of the community within the legal framework provided by the Province.”

Here are the sanctions imposed against Mayor Lantz:

· Not permitted to meet or travel alone with any female employee of the City;

· Mayor’s appointment to the Northwest Corridor Development Corporation, dated December 2008, and the Mayor’s appointment to Enbridge, dated May 2009, be rescinded for the rest of 2011.

· Mayor is prohibited from any further travel outside of the region for City-related functions unless the Council approved such travel and provided that another Councillor was able to attend with the Mayor.

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Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 11:22 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: But on April 4 2011 11:32 AM

Why doesn't he resign. With those restrictions he clearly can't do the job he is being paid for.

Posted by: He spoke on April 4 2011 12:34 PM

That's gotta make the wife happy.

Resignation,

Well, Maybe that is an option he has to come around too.

Posted by: He spoke on April 4 2011 12:37 PM

Hypothetical,

The mayor and associates go out for meeting. The mayor and female associate are the last ones to in the lounge, she makes advances, he rejects her advances, she files compaint.

Posted by: DPJ on April 4 2011 2:35 PM

In the real world, he would of been fired.

Posted by: billposer on April 4 2011 5:13 PM

The mayor is an elected official, not an employee of the council. They have some control over what he does, but they can't fire him because he doesn't work for them.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on April 5 2011 10:27 AM

Exactly!