City balks at revealing ward fight war chest

Tue, January 31, 2006

By JONATHAN SHER, FREE PRESS CITY HALL REPORTER



City officials won't say how much they've set aside to pay a Toronto lawyer who's being paid $545 an hour to challenge a 14-ward map and defend a development freeze debated behind doors.

Requests by The Free Press have been turned aside by the city solicitor, prompting a city councillor to formally request what the tab on the ward appeal will be.

"I believe that it may be warranted and reasonable to release this information as it is in the public's interest," Coun. Bill Armstrong wrote to the city's board of control.

Armstrong opposes the appeal to the new ward map, but even a supporter says the public should know how many tax dollars are at stake.

"The public needs to know," Controller Bud Polhill said.

London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco agrees, saying, "It's all public dollars."

Armstrong believes those who back the appeal want to justify their support, most recently by saying new wards could each require two councillors for a total of 28.

The 14 wards were ordered Dec. 30 by Ontario Municipal Board member Douglas Gates after council voted to keep seven two-councillor wards he found poorly represented citizens and neighbourhoods. His order came after ballot initiatives and a petition called for change.

The order was appealed by council and later, some warned the new map could mean 28 ward councillors, a claim disputed by those who support 14 single-councillor wards.

"I think (talk of 28 councillors) is fear-mongering," said Armstrong.

"This is an attempt to sway public opinion and justify spending, at $545 an hour, who knows how much money."

Armstrong said he won't seek a seat on council if he finishes second and he wasn't alone. Eight other candidates said there would be only one winner in each ward and they they wouldn't seek a seat if they finish second.

"I'm pretty darn sure that's the expectation of all Londoners," Ward 4 candidate David Empey said.

Whether a court will hear the city appeal will be considered at a hearing Feb. 13.

The city has budgeted a specific amount to pay Toronto lawyer George Rust D'Eye, but city solicitor Jim Barber won't say how much.

The Ontario Court of Appeal last year ordered the attorney general to disclose how much the ministry paid lawyers to defend Paul Bernardo. While communication between lawyers and Bernardo are held in confidence, legal fees paid reveal nothing of that communication, the court found.

Barber wrote the London circumstance was different because most of the money set aside hasn't been paid.