Hansma Cleared of Conflict Again

Glen Morrison Thursday, 24 June 2010 10:13 107.5 KISSFM

Spallumcheen mayor Will Hansma has won again in the effort to prove he's not in conflict of interest. A group of 39 residents had challenged that, beginning with a BC Supreme Court action in 2008 alledging the conflict over he and his sons having property involved in a rezoning. They lost last July, then went to BC Court of Appeal. Today the appeal was dismissed. Madam Justice Saunders says in the ruling there was no evidence of Hansma having a direct or indirect pecuniary (financial) interest in the bylaw, and there was no basis at all to remove him from his elected office. Hansma, a five term mayor, says he's very happy it's finally over. "Very relieved. It's something I can put behind me and carry on.

He says the panel of three justices ordered his legal costs be covered by the appellants (residents). "it was covered by the municipality so it will be recovering those costs." He says its likely in the $30,000 to 40,000 thousand dollar range. Michael Fairbrass, one of the residents involved, declined comment on the ruling when contacted by KISS FM, referring inquiries to the group's lawyer who has so far not returned a call to KISS FM News.

Click HERE to read the BC Court of Appeal judgement.

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Kate Bouey - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM: Spall Mayor Wins Appeal

The BC Court of Appeal says there is ``no basis at all to remove'' Spallumcheen Mayor Will Hansma from office. The court has dismissed a lawsuit launched by 39 Spall residents who had accused Hansma of a conflict of interest for voting in 2008 on a bylaw amendment that affected property owned by his sons. The mayor says he is relieved it is over. ``It's been a long process,'' said Hansma. ``It's just a real relief to have that final ruling from the (Court of Appeal) that I am innocent and that I was doing absolutely nothing wrong.'' The decision upholds an earlier BC Supreme Court ruling in favour of the mayor. Hansma says the Township of Spallumcheen paid his legal costs, which he believes have mounted up to around 40-thousand dollars, and much of that should now be reimbursed by the plaintiffs. And Hansma says the lawsuit has not put him off politics. When asked if he would run for mayor again, he said ``probably.'' The residents involved in the suit and their lawyers have so far refused to comment.