The Town of Saugeen Shores recently used social media to respond to some local complaints regarding the Port Elgin Main Beach.
Groups of citizens, including the Port Elgin Beach Preservers group, accused council of not being transparent and criticizing policy in relation to the Cedar Crescent Village proposal for the beach front. Saugeen Shores Deputy Mayor Don Matheson says he felt he needed to clarify council's position online.
"It's because of the innuendos and all the stuff that was going back and forth on Facebook, the he said, she said, that council's corrupt. You usually take that with a grain of salt, but people just didn't understand the legalities and the procedures that we have to follow as councilors."
Patricia Corrigan-Frank of the Port Elgin Beach Preservers says they're frustrated that council seems unwilling to answer their questions.
"We have made several presentations to town council, and every time we make a presentation, the response is they look at us, say thank you very much, and next item on the agenda. We haven't had any of our questions answered."
Matheson noted that because the beach front development is still being negotiated, they can't discuss it as councilors in open council because of a law in the Municipal Act.
In his Facebook post addressed to the public, Matheson wrote "The topic of the Beach project was being discussed – again (at this week's council meeting). You must understand that this project is still being negotiated. Accordingly, law does not allow us, to discuss legal issues. The Municipal Act guides us on this."
Matheson continued in his post by writing "For example, if a municipality is being sued or if council is considering purchasing a piece of land or if council must deal with a labour relations issue then it is appropriate that it be able to do so at a closed meeting. The purpose of such a closed meeting is to receive information or give directions. Local government in Ontario must be transparent and accountable. To this end, the Province has set the rules for a council, local board or a committee to go into a closed meeting."