City councillors in conflict?

Jeremy Deutsch - Kamloops This Week Published: July 02, 2009 12:00 PM

A rookie city councillor says he’s going to be more careful when it comes to voting on property issues in the downtown. Denis Walsh said it didn’t even cross his mind that he could be in a conflict when he voted on an amendment to the city centre revitalization tax-exemption bylaw at the June 25 council meeting. KTW has learned the city is consulting with its lawyers to determine if either Walsh or Tina Lange were in conflict of interest when the councillors voted on the tax exemption. Walsh is co-owner of the Crossroads Inn on Seymour Street, property which is located within the tax-exemption zone. Lange is co-owner of the Plaza Heritage Hotel on Victoria Street, which is also in the zone. “Basically, it would be an oversight and I guess I would have to be more careful next time,” Walsh said. He voted against the amendment, while Lange voted in favour.

The tax-exemption bylaw was introduced in 2006 to encourage new development or the renovation of old buildings in the downtown area. Eligible developments can get a 100 per cent exemption from municipal taxes for up to 10 years. According to the Community Charter, a council member is required to declare a conflict of interest if he or she has a direct or indirect financial interest in a matter of discussion. But one of the longest-serving councillors is defending his colleagues. John O’Fee doesn’t see a problem with Lange or Walsh sitting in on the vote, arguing for a councillor to be in conflict, the issue should be based on something more specific. For example, he said, if the tax exemption was for a particular block in which a councillor owned property, O’Fee could see that being a conflict. In this case, he noted the revitalization bylaw is for the entire downtown area. Lange could not be reached for comment as of KTW press deadline.