Hamilton councilors accept apology from veterans committee member after code of conduct violation – Hamilton | The Canadian News

The Hamilton City Council has taken the path of forgiveness.

Councilors have voted not to revoke the appointment of a volunteer member of the Hamilton Veterans Committee, following the integrity commissioner investigation into a code of conduct violation.

A complaint was received in July when the member participated in a virtual meeting while driving.

Video of the meeting broadcast live showed the designated citizen with his hands on the wheel and voting, as he looked between the meeting and the road.

Most councilors voted Wednesday to accept the advisory committee member’s written apology and assurance that the violation will not be repeated.

“This is something unique, it will not happen again,” predicted Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr.

“It was a lack of judgment,” Ward 8 Coun said. John Paul Danko, “Member acknowledged, apologized, end of story for me.”

Brad Clark of Stoney Creek was in the minority, voting to revoke the member’s appointment, saying he can’t look the other way over the violation.

“It sends a pretty confusing message,” Clark said, “about whether or not this council supports distracted driving laws, and encourages our residents and employees not to use their phones while driving.”

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