8/11/2019 Complaint Re Joe Swan
1/2
August, 30th, 2014
Attn: Cathy Saunders, City Clerk
Ref: Joe Swan
I would like to register a complaint about the actions of
councillor Joe Swan. My complaint centers on his conduct following
a
committee meeting held at London City Hall Tuesday August
26th
. On Tuesday the President of Fanshawe made a request to
committee, in a public forum, to present to council on Tuesday,
September 2nd
a revised request for $9,000,000 to facilitate the
repurposing of Kingsmills. President Devlin was granted his
request in a three to two vote. Joe Swan and Bud Polhill voted
against
the motion.
Thursday, August 28thJoe Swan presided at a press conference
held in Market Lane at 10:30 AM advertised by him through a
press
release. It was at this time, standing in front of a Swan for
Mayor billboard attended by Stephen Orser, he said he was going
to
meet with Fanshawe President Peter Devlin to ask him to
temporarily withdraw his request.
Section 21 of Chapter Five of the City of London Book of
Procedures relates to committee conduct. Under the sub-heading
Specific
Conduct it states that committee members are to fulfill the
mandate of the committee. I fail to see how attempting to
persuade
President Devlin to withdraw his request is respectful to due
process. The political process is supposed to be an open and
transparent one. Councillor Swans approach to President Devlin
was to encourage him to withdraw his petition. This is in dir
ec
opposition to the vote by committee which gave President Devlin
the okay to pursue his request to council.
Councillor Swan has on numerous occasions and in particular at
his press conference referred to property owner Shmuel Farhi s
properties as a viable alternative. His actions appear to
provide special consideration to the landowner Shmuel Farhi. It
must be
noted that Schmuel Farhi is also the landlord of the building at
409 Wellington St where Orchestra London has its offices. He
wasalso a contributor to Swans 2010 campaign.Joe Swan is executive
director of Orchestra London. Mr. Swan has also been an active
lobbyist for Orchestra London. The repeated references to Mr.
Farhi seem to indicate the possibility of pressure by Mr. Farhi
for
Councillor Swan to promote the interests of Farhi Holdings.
During the press conference Mr. Swan also stated categorically
that he knew Kingsmills had received an offer from out of town.
This
information was provided in a manner to suggest that he had
insider information regarding a possible purchase.
My complaint is specific to the fact that Councillor Swan has
actively in a public forum, his press conference, shown a
blatant
disrespect for due process by attempting to subvert the
committee decision to allow President Devlin to pursue his request
to city
council. I think it is fair to say that councillor Swan has
violated both the spirit and the intent of the guidelines referring
to specific
conduct.
Councillor Swan has not respected due process. Councillor Swan
has shown a flagrant disrespect for all fellow committee membersby
failing to respect the committee decision of the petitioner. In
addition he has blatantly attempted to sway public opinion
while
exerting undue influence and intimidation on the petitioner,
President Devlin of Fanshawe College by presenting himself as
potentially Londons next mayor.
I believe by his actions Councillor Swan has acted
inappropriately and has dishonoured his role as councillor and
should be held
publically accountable for his actions.
Jonathon Bancroft-Snell
[email protected]
