Spall residents question mayor

By Jackie Pearase - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 20

Spallumcheen residents had numerous questions for their mayor after it was revealed that council authorized payment of his legal fees at a Nov. 3 in-camera meeting. Mayor Will Hansma is being sued by a number of local residents who charge that he was in conflict of interest in regard to the process involved with a proposed official community plan amendment to change the zoning of property in the township. The OCP amendment was defeated by council after a public meeting where the majority of people expressed opposition to the changes. After the legal action was filed, council met in-camera Nov. 3 to discuss the issue and agreed to pay Hansma’s legal fees to a maximum of $5,000 from the contingency account. Hansma will sign a promissory note for repayment of the funds regardless of the outcome of the suit.

Residents were anxious to know details of the vote and if Hansma was present for the discussion but administrator Lynda Shykora said legislation governing in-camera proceedings prevent that information from being disclosed to the public unless directed to do so as a result of a successful Freedom of Information Act request. Shykora noted that the legal action came about as a result of Hansma’s role as mayor and paying the fees was a decision of council. “The funding of legal fees relates to the fact that Will Hansma is the mayor and a member of council,” she said. Chief financial officer Brian Freeman-Marsh said the standard interest rate for municipal lending is currently 7.75 per cent, with the rate set every Jan. 1. He added that Hansma would be required to repay the loan within 30 days of the due date. Hansma defended his unwillingness to borrow from the bank prior to a court decision on the legal action. “I didn’t borrow the money (from the bank) because I think every member of council should be supported if faced with legal action,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with them supporting me or anyone else on council should they be faced by legal action brought forward by a member of the community.” If found not-guilty, Hansma said his legal fees would be paid by the plaintiffs and if found guilty, he will repay the funds himself.