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56 Pages The Voice of North and West Vancouver since 1969 Wwww.nsnews.com

Conflict of

NV City mayoral candidate targeted

Jonathon Narvey
Contributing Writer

COUN. Barbara Sharp may have won the battle,

but the war is far from over.
A majority of North Vancouver City councillors voted Monday to issue a
press release stating that they had cleared Sharp of a charge of conflict of inte
est. The motion to inform the public followed a 3-2 vote the previous week
supporting Sharp regarding an allegation thar she was in conflict of interest
for voting on matters involving, the fire department. Sharp's husband is a cap-
tain in the fire department.
The controversy has been taken to the next level, however, by her accuser.
Coun. Bob Fearnley made the original motion in council to disqualify Sharp
from holding office, which was defeated after council received Jegal advice
exonerating the councillor of conflict of interest.
Fearnley gave council notice during debate Monday thar he has filed a
B.C. Supreme Court petition, asking for a ruling on whether to disqualify
Sharp from holding public office, for vicluting sections 213 and 231 of the
Municipal Act. The petition alleges that Sharp “participated in the discussion
of and voted upon matters in which «he had a direct or indirect pecuniary
interest contrary to the provisions of che Municipal Act s.23] (5).” Fearnley
is not alone on the petition. Among the petitioners listed on the document:
Fearntey’s wite Virie Mandy Fearnicy, and North Vancouver residents Terry
Rov Grimwood, Liane Scott, Elizabeth Guelph and Jason Mark Breiddal.
‘Meanwhile on Monday Fearntey and Coun. Stella Dean voted against
issuing the press release. The one-sentence statement reads, “The council of
the City of North Vancouver has decided, based on a legal opinion provided
by legal counsel, that Councillor Barbara Sharp is clear of wrongdoing con-
cerning the allegations of conflict of interest.”
Sharp said she had nothing to hide. “As far as I’m concerned, that should
have ended this.” Fearnley’s legal move comes as Sharp enters the final weeks
of a mayoral campaign in North Vancouver City. Voters go to the polls on
Nov. 20.
Fearnley denied the timing was political. “It was the timing of the events.
They've taken place over the past couple of months, but Pd only become
aware of jtin the last month or so,” he said, referring to his opinion that Sharp
was in conflict of interest. A B.C. Supreme Court hearing may take place
before election night, Fearnley said. “I'd like it to be held before the election.
They've got six days to respond, and then they've just got to set the hearing
date.” Fearnicy said he was motivated by conscience and his principles to act
when he did. p ;
Sharp has a different theory on the timing of Fearnley’s petition. “It’s cer- of é : 5
tainly about the election as far as I’m concerned,” she said. ; “eS : at AV
Said Coun. Stella Jo Dean, “That Councillor Sharp’s husband is in the fire
department might be a pecuniary interest which is not so remote from meet- by 2
ing the standard of a contlict,” she said. “Ic’s been tough to vote the way I'm iG ra m a
vating,” she added, seeming to choke back tears. But Mayor Jack Loucks said
he was disappointed in the new legal actiou being taken, “We have a respect- YES, firefighters still rescue treed cats. That’s what Tanna and its owners Jeff Neufeld and Shona
ed iawyer who gave his opinion that Sharp was clear of the accusation.” Sieven (inset) learned on Sunday. North Vancouver District firefighter Forrest Roberts climbed a
ladder to retrieve ths feline, which was chased up a Mouniain Highway tree by a dog.

SHV Ve
NEWS photo Julle herson

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