DUBEAU NEWComments made by a few city councillors have sparked confusion with Ward 5 representative Rick Dubeau.

Those comments, from fellow Ward 5 Councillors Noella Rinaldo and Andrew Marks, as well as Ward 1 Councillor Andre Grzela were made to KiSS News in response to a story published in The Daily Press regarding emails sent out by Dubeau.

The report painted a picture that Dubeau had ulterior motives for going to last week’s AMO Conference in Niagara Falls, motives that involved him possibly talking with Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle about the business FireLine.

Dubeau is FireLine’s Chief Operating Officer.

As learned Wednesday at a press conference, Dubeau wanted Black to set up a meeting between Dubeau, the businessman and Gravelle. That didn’t pan out.

He says all the councillors, Timmins Mayor Steve Black and CAO Joe Torlone received all emails on the subject by August 16th, but only Councillor Joe Campbell, Rinaldo, Black and Torlone responded to them.

“I was very clear in my emails to Mr. Dubeau how I felt,” Rinaldo told KiSS News Wednesday morning about the report, “I felt it was pecuniary in it’s truest form, and I was hoping he’d take a second look at his request.  I don’t think he understood the meaning behind that, and it’s unfortunate it’s come to this.  It is a very clear case of having to declare pecuniary interest.  I don’t know where it goes from here. I’m waiting, like most councillors on what happens next.”

Campbell showed support for Dubeau, saying in an email that “if sitting in on a meeting allows FireLine Corp. to build a relationship that may assist it, why not?”

Black was supportive of the product, but according to email correspondence, didn’t make up his mind on a request made to arrange the face-to-face meeting with Gravelle.

Torlone suggested the face-to-face between Dubeau, the businessman and Gravelle as it would be a lot cleaner. Dubeau says he was open to that.

Dubeau says he found it interesting that the comments made to KiSS by Grzela and Marks was the first he’s heard from them on the subject.

“Through anything, they didn’t express concern once,” he said.

“Both of those councillors did not express one bit of concern in any way, shape or form until these emails came out.”

“You’re elected to do your job at city council, to move the businesses of the city forward,” said Grezla. “Sometimes it’s unclear what the interests are, and I believe that’s what happened.  He’ll definitely take heat for this but I hope we can forward and get on with city business.”

Marks added he was “very disappointed in (Dubeau’s) true intents.”

“I was angry and felt a little taken,” he said Wednesday, “I’m going to have a hard time placing trust in the future on any motions put forward by Mr. Dubeau.  This is a clear conflict of interest, we’ve all taken the same training when we were elected a year ago, and for a Councillor to want to benefit his own business is clearly against the rules.  As a sitting Councilllor, you have to represent the residence who elected you, not your business interest.”

Wednesday morning, Councillor Mike Doody declined to comment on the record, while Councillors Walter Wawrzaszek and Pat Bamford couldn’t be reached.

Dubeau feels there’s been multiple attacks at his character, and writes that it’s been an eventful couple of weeks.

In a letter submitted to our newsroom, he says “On August 15th the editor of the Timmins Daily Press wrote an Editorial attacking me. Then, (former city councillor) Mr. (Gary) Scripnick writes a letter to the editor on August 19th.”

“The request for emails is submitted under the Freedom of Information Act on August 19th and the emails are released on August 25th, which resulted in the story that night. That is very quick for a Freedom of Information request.”

He goes on to mention a letter that was submitted by David Witzel, and added into the council agenda for this past Monday night’s meeting on August 24th.

“The letter was very critical of me and very favourable to Mayor Black. I don’t recall any letter critical of any member of council being given this type of recognition.”

The letter by Scripnick was unacknowledged by Dubeau when asked about it. Dubeau writes that “in light of recent concerted efforts to discredit me, I better deal with it now because who knows what’s coming next.”

“Mr. Scripnick states that he was shocked to read and watch the rude and disrespectful behavior and sand box politics that Rick Dubeau has demonstrated over the last while. I have been nothing but respectful in debating the issues, most notably at the council meeting on August 10th, when the Mayor laughed at me during a debate.”

He says it was noted in local media that the Mayor appeared to grin at him when he was trying to make a point, and “laughed out loud” when Dubeau raised a point of order.

“I stated in a calm voice ‘Mayor Black that is the second time you just laughed in my face, that is totally out of order…you laughing in my face like that, and you have done it with many other members of council, that is terribly disrespectful, so let’s just move forward and have a nice respectful debate of the issues and wipe that smile off your face.'”

“The mayor did not deny laughing nor did he apologize. Anyone who questions this should watch the webcast of the meeting. I continued debating the issue in a calm voice. Thereafter the Mayor raised his voice noticeably demanding respect.”

Dubeau says going forward, he will “continue to ask questions of Administration, the Mayor, Councillors, Department Heads and anyone who comes to council. I will do it in a respectful manner dealing with the issues and not personalities.”