Colwood council is scheduling a Censure Hearing with Coun. Cynthia Day after recent actions taken by her have raised concerns that she may have violated the CityB次元官网网址檚 code of ethics.
A Censure Hearing is a formal council resolution to reprimand one of its members for a violation of law or city policy. It could result in sanctions that limit the memberB次元官网网址檚 appointments to committees and other opportunities to represent the municipality, according to a City of Colwood spokesperson.
Censure does not carry a fine or dismissal.
B次元官网网址淭he balance of council was compelled to respond to concerns expressed about Coun. DayB次元官网网址檚 recent conduct,B次元官网网址� said Colwood Mayor Rob Martin. B次元官网网址淲e are committed to going into this process with an open mind and moving forward as a united council with a clear understanding of the line between what is and is not acceptable behaviour for council members.B次元官网网址�
The City said it is to work with Day to find a mutually agreeable hearing date.
B次元官网网址淲e have a strong council that brings together a wide range of perspectives and has a proven ability to listen and come to a consensus,B次元官网网址� said Martin.
In early December 2018, Day was arrested in an ongoing dispute with the City over the boulevard in front of her house.
DayB次元官网网址檚 husband, Tim, built rock walls on the boulevard in front of their home on Charnley Place in 1995. After conducting an engineerB次元官网网址檚 report, the City says the walls were a safety and liability issue, but Day and her husband disputed the claim.
The City says it was advised that trees planted near the rock wall had fallen on a nearby home in 2017.
on the issue created by the City says the City spent B次元官网网址渕any hours working with the Days to come to a mutually agreeable solution, including providing an encroachment agreement that would allow the works to stay in place with the homeowners assuming responsibility. The Days declined the agreement.B次元官网网址�
In December, the City went to take the rock walls down but Day refused to move from the area so work could not begin.
B次元官网网址淚 told them I wasnB次元官网网址檛 going to go willingly. I had a right to protest,B次元官网网址� Day explained after the incident.
Day was arrested for mischief but released without charges, based on her giving her word that she wouldnB次元官网网址檛 obstruct work any further.
According to the CityB次元官网网址檚 background report, the censure hearing will consider two things:B次元官网网址渨hether Coun. DayB次元官网网址檚 obstruction of council-directed work violates the CityB次元官网网址檚 code of ethics related to respecting a decision made by council and the implementation of that decision by staff; and whether public comments made by Coun. Day constitute a public attack on the character and motives of staff, in violation of the CityB次元官网网址檚 code of this with regard to conduct of members.B次元官网网址�
The City said Day will be given ample notice of the hearing date along with all related information.
B次元官网网址淐ouncil members view this hearing as an opportunity to better understand Coun. DayB次元官网网址檚 point of view and feel it is important that she have sufficient time to review the details, prepare her statements and be heard,B次元官网网址� said the City of Colwood spokesperson.
- With files from Keri Coles
