More questions for the integrity commissioner

RE: INSIDE THE INVESTIGATION: SECRET DOCUMENTS AND ANONYMOUS SOURCES, APRIL 17

I wish to thank Grant LaFleche for his column explaining how a reporter works when doing a serious investigative article for the public.

With the checks and double checks and multiple verifications it shows that the background work followed to complete a story puts it on the safe and narrow road to the truth.

It would then appear the attacks on Mr. LaFleche from local politicians show a distinct pattern of trying to use a bit of bully tactics to silence the press — well, thanks for keeping the story going Mr. LaFleche and the other members of the media who are doing their job of keeping the people in the know. Even though the politicians want to treat the people like mushrooms and keep them in the dark.

One other question arises with this investigation: How come there is a political department in local politics? If the regional chair needs something political done, why are taxpayers paying for a position that is not 100 per cent productive to the people and is only there for the political needs of a politician? Should the chair have been paying the salary of this person?

Maybe this would be a good question to put in front of the Region’s integrity commissioner. Why is there a position in the Region whose job seems to be to protect politicians and carry out their personal political direction when party politics are not supposed to be at the local government level. And prior to last election I never heard the elected ones state anything about party politics.

Another good reason to bring forth some kind of recall legislation for the protection of the people.

John Hunt

Niagara Falls