28 -— Wednesday, January 24, 1996 - No

Shore News

atchdo

West Vancou

erites cail for

a conflict of interest bylaw

WO WEST Vancouver resi-
dents are urging council to take
a leadership role in establish-
ing better rules regarding con-
flict of interes

WEST VANCOUVER
DISTRICT COUNCIL

By Maureen Curtis

Wrean and — Rolf
West) Vancouver
fier this month

Lloyd
Johannson told
District Council
that it should move quickly to estab-
lish local laws, rather than wait for
provincial legislation.

Conflict. of interest, wherein
politicians and staff appear to be
using influence gained from their
offices or positions for personal
gain, is an issue at all levels of gov-
emment.

The Municipal Act only stipu-
lates that a councillor cannot vote on
an issue before council if he or she
has a financial interest in it.

But West Vancouver municipal
manager Doug Allan said that while
the current principles are clear.
interpretation of them can be a com-
plex matter.

Wrean and Johannson, who are
members of West Vancouver
Citizens for Good Government,
have worked with Allan and Mayor
Mark Sager since 1992 on the topic
of conflict of interest.

Wrean and Johannson said that
conflict of interest guidelines are
particularly thin when it comes to
municipal staff.

Elected representatives must reg-
ularly report their financial holdings

d are prohibited from being
involved in conflicts of interest.

h each municipality may
have its own guidelines for employ-
ees, there is no provision for public

scrutiny, said Johannson,

He and Wrean want a West
Vancouver bylaw that includes the
following principles:
clear definition of terns:

-@ prohibitions spelled out cle

B coverage of elected representa-
tives and staff employed by the dis-
trict
@ measures to prevent individuals
from lobbying for 24 months after
leaving office:
@ reporting of holdings.

Itis not appropriate for peeple
who have heen close to the gavern-
ment to use that involvement (in pri-
vite business) imme 5
leaving government.” Wrean said.

Phere should’ be a) reasonable
period a former employee or politi-
cian should wait before working ina
related private position, Wrean
add

After receiving Wrean and
Johannson’s suggestions regarding
conflict of interest in 1994. Sager
Pparently recommended waiting
for anticipated province wide legis-
lation,

When this didn’t occur, Sager
and Allan saton a Union of British

Fantasy Finish Night
Paint A Great Impression with
Jane Lockhart

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY Ist at 7:00 pm
COACH HOUSE INN
700 OLD LILLOOET
SALON C & D

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Tickets must be purchased at
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1420 Lonsdale Ave.
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Sosthone

UF WHEELER OE

ules urg

Columbia Municipalities commitiee
which drew up and had ratified an
appropriate document. .
nee then, lawyer Doug
Lidstone has been fine tuning the
document as a consultant,

Allan argued the most prudent
appreach would be to wait for legis-
lation that could be applied province
wide.

But Wrean felt that it is going to
be difficult and tie consuming to

In just 50 years
to become the largest credit union
in Canada. We realize that a big part
of our success has been due to the

come up with luws appropriate to all
tnunicipalities,

In Some small communiti

fficult to avoid “conflicts of inter-
est’ when elected officials may be
the only people in town providing a
service that the muni lity might
require.

“There are real problems for a set
of comprehensive set of standards...
The pressures are to establish a low-
est common denominator

‘anCity has grown

unique and miutually-supportive la

relationships we have with our

members and loca! communi

Come te our 50th Anniv
Community Cefebration
Friday, January 26th and meet 50
of our community partners. The
eclebration starts at 11 a.m.
© Participate in and learn through
community group presentations,
demonstrations and intersctive
displays. Topics range fron cam.

posting to bike tune ups: frum
business and social responsibility
to youth at risk.

¢ Take part in proactive solutions
for a stronger community.
Free filn festival. See some of

A Commiinty
coess Stary,

Canada’s best films and meet the

approach,” said Johannson.

He said’ that West Vancouver
already has the right to establish the
necessary bylaws and suggested that
the public be allowed to participate
in the process of drawing up the
laws,

“.. there is a need for reform of
our practices if we are to protect
elected and staff persons who work
on our behalf, while at the same
time, raise the stature and trust of
our institutions,” said Johannson.

Coun, Allan Williams agreed that
action would be imperative in West

ouver if nothing comes through
on the provincial level in 1996,

film makers who made them.

Fiction and Other Truths - the

Genie award winning film about

author and activist Jane Rule,
vesa Wa - Strength of the

er, The Mind of a Child, Live

My Sweet Peony and anore.
Live entertainment by Public
Dreams Society, AYA, Cooking
Purple, AWOL Love- Vibe, bhangra
dancing, strect entertainment,
book readings by Sheila Baxter,
Karlene Faith and stide show by
Barbara Woodley

© Open to the public

For more information call 877-7000.

tno charge.

sii