By Mark Squibb
Four Petty Harbour councillors accused of potentially being in a conflict of interest have been cleared to vote on what Mayor Ron Doyle has called perhaps one of the hardest decisions this council has had to make.
Over 100 residents signed a petition against a proposed microbrewery at 11 Cribbies Road, the site of the former Catholic Church in Petty Harbour, citing concerns about increased traffic and a lack of adequate parking, amongst other concerns.
Council hired JW Consulting to investigate as four members of council had been named as being possibly in conflict on the matter by a member of the public opposed to the application. Mayor Doyle, when speaking with the Irish Loop Post earlier this month, did not disclose the names of the councillors accused of potentially being in conflict.
The consultant did find that councillor Ed Dyke was in conflict when discussing and voting on issues related to Chafe’s Landing, Tinker’s Ice Cream Shop, and other properties owned by Todd and Angela Chafe, the proponents behind the brewery application, while his daughter worked at Tinker’s.
Any motions that Dyke voted on while his daughter was working at Tinker’s were then vacated and voted on again by council.
JW Consultants noted that there was no malicious intent or intent to deceive on Dyke's
part.
Council hopes to vote on whether to approve or reject the microbrewery application this November.
