A resident’s questions about transparency and the possible establishment of a lobbyist registry led to Oro-Medonte Township council voting to receive his letter, but little more.
Paul Sanderson sent an email to the township clerk on July 9 stating he was was concerned about the lack of transparency in some campaign contributions during last October’s municipal election.
“This unregistered lobbyist, consisting of a special-interest group developer owner, his wife, family, executives and associates, was responsible for 30 per cent, almost one-third, of all donations raised by all candidates,” Sanderson wrote in his email. “Almost one of every three dollars raised by all candidates was donated by a lobbyist group.”
At Wednesday's meeting, council discussed Sanderson's letter about looking into developing a lobbyist registry.
Oro-Medonte Township Mayor Harry Hughes told BarrieToday that he was all for listening to any information in regards to starting a lobbyist registry, but added the process isn’t an easy one.
“We don’t know of any other municipality in Simcoe County that has it, and secondly, we know that in the municipalities that do have it, the resources that are required to deal with it are horrendous,” Hughes said.
“I know that one large municipality has a full-time lawyer they hired to be able to monitor such a thing, so it didn’t seem like something we were wanting to jump at too soon," he added.
Stan Dunford, Eva Dunford and Brooke Dunford all made donations to various Oro-Medonte campaigns, with each making a donation of $1,200 to Hughes’ campaign, totalling $3,600. The Dunford family owns Burl’s Creek Event Grounds and Republic Live, the live entertainment company that hosts events such as Boots and Hearts at the property.
On Wednesday evening, Sanderson told BarrieToday he was not surprised at council's response to his letter.
“They certainly took the lowest possible route, that’s for sure,” he said. “This action today simply means it is on record as being received, but it doesn’t appear as if there may be further action taken.”
Sanderson said he will continue his push for a lobbyist registry.
“It’s extremely important to have this registry here, especially when you consider the mess that Roxodus left in another township,” he said. “It is also very important when you hear the mayor’s comments about other municipalities not having it; that just means we should get it and be a leader in such actions.”
Sanderson said his pursuit for transparency is not over.
“Oh no, I’m not finished,” he said. “It's now on file, on record, so now I will approach council members and try to get them to understand whether by a deputation process or otherwise.”
