In a continuation of the tension thatB次元官网网址檚 plagued Langford council for months, councillors voted to try and resolve concerns of transparency over Coun. Lillian SzpakB次元官网网址檚 resignation as chair of the protective services committee in a future in-camera meeting.

Coun. Matt Sahlstrom made a motion calling on Szpak to explain her resignation as chair of the protective services committee B次元官网网址渋n the spirit of transparency,B次元官网网址� during June 6B次元官网网址檚 council meeting, which Szpak wasnB次元官网网址檛 present for.

Szpak resigned her position because she said city staff told her there was an ombudsperson and an Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner file open involving her, relating to a dispute with a neighbour. In a letter addressed to council that was included in the meeting package, Langford resident Ed Court alleged Szpak used her position as a councillor to try and influence a parking dispute near CourtB次元官网网址檚 residence.

The package for the June 20 meeting also includes a letter written by Superintendent Todd Preston, officer in charge of West Shore RCMP, addressed to Langford Mayor Stew Young, chief administrative officer Darren Kiedyk and executive assistant to mayor and council Julie Coneybeer discussing that interaction with Szpak. He said when Szpak asked if sending a police officer would help resolve the matter, Preston replied he didnB次元官网网址檛 consider it a police matter.

B次元官网网址淩egarding my perception of appropriateness, I felt uncomfortable knowing her position as chair of protective services. IB次元官网网址檓 always cognizant of conflict of interest,B次元官网网址� Preston wrote.

During the June 20 meeting, which at times descended into a shouting match, Szpak denied wrongdoing, disputed aspects of PrestonB次元官网网址檚 account and called the process shameful while pointing fingers at Young and Sahlstrom, saying they were out to discredit her.

B次元官网网址淭his is a monkey court and you think youB次元官网网址檙e Perry Mason and so does Coun. Sahlstrom. ItB次元官网网址檚 ridiculous,B次元官网网址� said Szpak.

B次元官网网址淚 think because itB次元官网网址檚 an election year, maybe thatB次元官网网址檚 why this is happening now,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an urge to discredit me. IB次元官网网址檓 not perfect. I did everything with good intentions in my role as councillor.B次元官网网址�

Young defended discussing the matter in front of council, noting it involved a complaint from a resident and council takes those seriously.

He added it was unfortunate tensions between councillors have increased in recent months. B次元官网网址淭his is the worst couple of years weB次元官网网址檝e had with problems between councillors.B次元官网网址�

Coun. Denise Blackwell said she thought the issue should have been discussed in-camera from the beginning.

Young motioned to move SahlstromB次元官网网址檚 motion in-camera and said Preston would be invited to attend the meeting to clear up any disputes.

READ MORE: Langford councilor wants transparency on committee chair resignation