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South Okanagan Photos

Grand Forks Mayor says he is not permitted to do his job

frank

Frank Konrad is the elected Mayor of Grand Forks – he repeated an earlier comment of a witch hunt today on a CBC daybreak radio show. “I am not being permitted to do my job ” said Konrad. I was elected on a platform of transparency.”

The mayor of Grand Forks refuses to explain turmoil at City Hall says CBC.

A recent legal opinion from Young Anderson claims Konrad is in a partial conflict and one councilor is in a total conflict of interest on the subject of water meters being installed in this Boundary country community.

When asked why he refuses to explain the situation Mayor Konrad says he must respect the Charter and all information was discussed in an in-camera meeting. Only two press releases were made public by the City staff.

Here is the one not yet published on ODN:

Grand Forks, BC – In their commitment to the public to be transparent and open Council would like to advise the public that the City of Grand Forks sought a legal opinion, from the organizations lawyers Young Anderson, regarding a conflict of interest that Mayor Konrad and Councillor Julia Butler are perceived to be in.

The opinion received advised that Mayor Konrad has an indirect pecuniary conflict of interest in relation to the Water Meter Work, and Councillor Butler has a direct pecuniary interest in relation to the Water Meter program. Both Mayor Konrad and Councillor Butler have been advised that they should recuse themselves from any further participation in relation to the respective matters in respect of which Young Anderson believes they have a conflict of interest and has advised both parties that they should obtain independent legal advice on the issue.

Young Anderson further advised that the remainder of Council should encourage Mayor Konrad and Councillor Butler to recuse themselves from any further participation in relation to the respective matters.”

Council subsequently launched a supreme court action to have a declaration made that Council Butler is in conflict and should be removed from office.

Mayor Konrad ended his CBC interview today with this “Would you move to Grand Forks?” “Would you really think this is a great community to live in with what is going on with city government?”