By Mark Squibb
Witless Bay council last week cleared councillor Ralph Cary of both a conflict-of-interest complaint and a code of conduct allegation.
Town CAO Jennifer Aspell said the first complaint alleged that Carey was in a conflict of interest when he discussed and voted on the Ragged Beach Crown Land Reserve earlier this year.
“The complaint was brought forward at a privileged meeting of council on April 25, 2024,” explained Aspell. “At that meeting, councillor Carey was given an opportunity to make a presentation to council. And when his presentation concluded, he left the meeting.”
Council, said Aspell, determined Carey had not acted in a conflict of interest, and during that same privileged meeting voted unanimously to dismiss the complaint.
A second complaint, this one alleging that Carey had violated the Municipal Code of Conduct Act, was also brought forward at that same privileged meeting. Carey again, according to Aspell, presented his case and then left the room. Council voted and again found him not guilty.
The complaint stemmed from Carey’s alleged involvement with activist groups protesting any and all development in and around Ragged Beach over the last decade.
Council concluded Carey was not a member of council during much of the time period refenced in the complaint and there was no substantive evidence he was a director or member of either the Save Ragged Beach or Friends of Ragged Beach groups.
Both motions to clear Carey were ratified during last week’s public meeting.
Both complaints were filed by the same individual, who was not identified.
