A distant cousin does not a hiring conflict of interest make
To the Expositor:
At Tehkummah Township’s council meeting on December 10, 2024, concerns were raised about Councillor Lorie Leeson’s eligibility to participate in the hiring of the township’s road superintendent as she is a distant cousin of one of the applicants, which many felt should exclude her under the township’s hiring policy.
The policy, which was developed in accordance with the Municipal Act, states that council members and staff of the municipality are not permitted to participate in the hiring process if the applicant is a relative. However, while other municipalities usually define this to include spouses, children, parents, siblings and in-laws, Tehkummah’s policy is unclear. Nevertheless, when I spoke with the municipal advisor last week, he stated that Councillor Leeson was well within her right to vote as a distant cousin wouldn’t constitute a conflict.
Regardless of how the township decides to clarify the terms of the policy, there is no excuse for the inappropriate and abusive remarks that were directed at Councillor Leeson at the meeting for her refusal to step down, or for the complete disregard for the municipality’s Code of Conduct by the reeve.
Nepotism is defined as the practice of favouring friends and relatives, especially with regards to employment, by those with power or influence, and in light of who they eventually hired, it’s apparent what their intentions were from the beginning.
Eric Russell
Tehkummah
