An independent investigation has determined that Rocky Mountain House mayor Debbie Baich has breached council’s Code of Conduct Bylaw.
Rocky Mountain House town council made a formal Code of Conduct Complaint on August 31, 2022, in regards to a complaint letter received from a third-party organization against Mayor Baich.
Town officials say the letter was received and first brought to council’s attention on July 5, 2022. The letter points to a social media post showing Baich endorsing a local business.
Town officials say council engaged a third-party firm, Veritas Solutions, to investigate the complaint, in accordance with the Formal Complaint Process outlined in section 14 of the Code of Conduct Bylaw.
Council reviewed the investigation report at their meeting on Nov. 1, 2022.
“Council has provided the opportunity to Mayor Baich to respond in writing and orally to those complaints,” explains councillor Dave Auld.
“After advising the mayor of its conclusion in relation to the above, council considered sanctions and provided the opportunity for the mayor to provide written and oral submissions, having considered those submissions,” adds Auld.
Council reviewed the Investigation Report at its October 3 and October 19 meetings.
On Nov. 1, council made the following motion:
• Council finds that Mayor Baich breached the Town of Rocky Mountain House, Code of Conduct 4.1 C and 8.2.
• Council issue a letter of reprimand to Mayor Baich.
• The letter of reprimand be published on the Town’s website for a total of four weeks from Nov. 4, 2022, then be removed.
• Mayor Baich provides an oral apology to the complainant, if the complainant wished to have an oral apology. If the complainant does not wish to have an oral apology, the Mayor issues a written apology which is vetted by the Town’s lawyer. The apology whether oral or written must be provided no later than Dec. 1, 2022.
• For a period of four months the mayor will be relieved of her function as spokesperson for the Town, for events within the town. The mayor will remain able to remain spokesperson for the Town and events with senior levels of governments.
• Due to council’s concern about naming the complainant publicly, council will not release the name of the complainant or the investigation report.
The motion was carried with only Mayor Debbie Baich voting against it.
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