Mayor Cleared of Conflict

Written by Peter McIntyre Thursday, 02 July 2009 13:21

Will Hansma says it's a big weight off his shoulders.

The mayor of Spallumcheen has been cleared of conflict of interest allegations, made by a group of 39 residents.

The residents argued Hansma should have stepped aside during council's discussion of a 2008 bylaw to amend the Official Community Plan because he and his sons had property affected by it.

BC Supreme Court Justice Peter Rogers ruled Hansma was not in a direct or indirect conflict.

Hansma says he's relieved at the ruling.

"You always worry, "Did I do everything right?' You always second guess yourself, but I feel I did everything right and obviously the court thinks so too."

The five term mayor says he decided to remain in the council discussion after getting two legal opinions that he was not in a conflict.

"All the steps I followed were the proper procedure as we as politicians are guided by the Municipal Act so I feel I did everything the way we are supposed to do it."

Hansma could have been removed from office had he been found guilty.

The petioners have been ordered to pay Hansma's legal costs which he estimates are more than $5,000.

Calls to the petitoner's lawyer were not returned to KISS FM.

Click HERE to read the judgement.