Shades of grey

Published: March 31, 2009 7:00 PM Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

Conflict of interest is a term that’s frequently tossed around but rarely is it as easy as black and white. In particular, is the case of Jack Gilroy, the Vernon councillor. Recently, Gilroy has been accused of being in a conflict of interest over restructuring of fire protection services because he is a former deputy fire chief and his son and nephew are paid firefighters. “It’s not enough to be above board. You must also be seen as being above board,” said Tony Stamboulieh, with the Vernon Taxpayers Association. There is also the fact that Gilroy received a $500 donation from the Vernon Professional Firefighters Association for his November election campaign. Generally able to joke most things off, Gilroy has tackled the accusations head-on. “I’m only in a conflict if I vote on a contract that gives wages to my son,” he said, adding that integrating the Landing and Vernon fire halls provides no financial gain to his family. He also points out that as a former firefighter and deputy chief, he has knowledge that benefits council discussions.

According to provincial legislation, a council member should consider not participating in a discussion or voting if there is “a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the matter.” On the surface, Gilroy doesn’t appear to be in a conflict of interest. Yes his son and nephew are city employees, but if he doesn’t vote on their wages, he is not breaking the rules. And as for his former career, there should be no surprises. Gilroy has always worn his allegiances on his sleeve and that was evident any time he ran for office. But while the law is the law, perception also comes into play, and there are people convinced that a politician can’t separate their activities from financial contributions or personal acquaintances.

Not long ago, Coun. Shawn Lee excused himself from a funding request from a non-profit group because an employee with that organization is a patient at his dental clinic. Coun. Patrick Nicol has frequently walked out when a neighbour or a tenant in his office building is before council. Obviously Gilroy leaving the room would have circumvented any doubt, and he has bungled the matter from a PR perspective. He must understand that it’s not simply a case of doing what’s right, you must be seen as doing what’s right. But where does a politician draw the line?

Should Mayor Wayne Lippert remove himself from the fire services issue because he got $500 from the union? Is Lippert beholden to developers because some of them gave him campaign money? Is Coun. Bob Spiers influenced by Barry Beardsell because the former councillor gave him $100? And it should be pointed out that Stamboulieh received $200 from a development company when he ran for mayor. Ideally, no politicians would accept contributions but campaigns are expensive and most of them don’t have the personal financial resources to do it on their own (Patrick Nicol and his self-funded $11,259 is a rarity). However, taking money doesn’t automatically mean they are guilty of anything. Ultimately, Gilroy may have done nothing officially wrong and he will remain at the council table, but that means some residents will keep scrutinizing his actions.