A downtown merchant's group has offered a rebuttal to what it calls "potentially defamatory" statements made by some of its members in a petition circulated in December.
The London Downtown Business Association (LDBA) board of directors, in a letter penned by the agency's lawyer Susan Toth, state that allegations of mismanagement of funds by the association are "serious" and have "no foundation nor merit."
"We view these allegations as potentially defamatory against LDBA staff and ask that you refrain from continuing to make these serious assertions, given that they are unfounded and lacking in any particulars," Toth wrote.
The letter goes on to state that the employment contract of the group's CEO Janette MacDonald is a private personnel matter that will not be disclosed to the membership, adding the board has no concerns with her competence, management, and work.
It also asks that the merchants being represented by lawyer Michael Lerner in the fight for a comprehensive review of the association and MacDonald identify themselves.
"The anonymity is creating confusion and making open communication impossible. In order to continue to work with your clients, we ask that they be identified clearly," Toth said.
Lerner has previously noted that he represents over 100 members of the business group.
The rift between the LDBA and its members came to light last month when a petition launched by Lerner's clients began making the rounds. The petition suggests the LDBA has not represented the preferred interests of the businesses and has exhibited a "blatant unwillingness to properly consult member views." It outlines a number of issues in which there has been little or no consultation on, including B.R.T., food trucks, safe injections sites, the elimination of street parking, and the hiring and cost of Toronto-based consulting firm Live Work Learn Play.
The divide widened at the group's annual general meeting last Wednesday, where members voiced frustration and rejected the proposed 2019 budget. The two sides did agree to form an ad hoc committee to review the association's processes, including bylaws.
Toth states the board, wanting to include non-levy paying members, has determined the committee will consist of seven members plus a facilitator of the board’s choosing. Committee meetings will be advertised and open to the public.
"When it comes to London’s downtown, all Londoners have skin in the game. The LDBA recognizes it has work to do to address the concerns of the membership. The LDBA is committed to listening to its members and the public and undergoing a transparent and inclusive process to address and respond to these concerns," Toth concludes.
