Amherstburg will 'do best' to comply with Municipal Act

Amherstburg Mayor Wayne Hurst has given a terse response to a provincial ombudsman's report that criticizes his council.

Andre Marin found the town's politicians held illegal votes and abused the Municipal Act to hold secret meetings.

Hurst pledged his town will try to follow the rules more closely.

'All I will say is that we're going to do our best to be in compliance' — Amherstburg Mayor Wayne Hurst

"We're going to do a better job at trying to do just that. That's all I will say, nothing else," Hurst said. "All I will say is that we're going to do our best to be in compliance."

Marin said council improperly used "education or training" and exceptions under another act "to justify in-camera discussions."

It's the second time the ombudsman has investigated Amherstburg council for similar allegations. Last March, Marin found town officials voted illegally in-camera to refund a donation to a convicted sex offender.

Some citizens who attended Monday night's council meeting were expecting more from Hurst.

'They don't care about any rules. They don't care about any laws.' — Amherstburg resident Jason Lavigne

"The provincial ombudsman has come down and said they're doing things illegally and improper and all we get out of the leader of this town is, 'Oh, we're going to try harder next time,'" said Jason Lavigne, the person who launched the original complaint about the goings on at Amherstburg council. "It's obvious they're not listening. They don't care about any rules. They don't care about any laws."

Lavigne predicted citizens won't forget the issue when they go to the polls three years from now.

"That's pretty much the only power we'll have in town here," Lavigne said.