Richmond County critic wants Municipal Affairs to step into spending mess

Some people in Richmond County continue to call on the Department ofMunicipal Affairs to step in and protect taxpayers, buttheprovince says it doesn't have the power.

An ombudsman's investigation found irregularities in spending by some councillors, wardens and senior staff. The RCMP has opened an investigation.

County councillorsreceived copies Thursdayof aforensic audit ofpublic officials'credit card spendingand expense claims, but voted to delay its release to the public, likely until after Saturday's municipal election.

Feelings of betrayal

Bob Martel, a doctor inWest Arichat,thinks it's time the province got involved.

"I feel really betrayed by this council and by Municipal Affairs as a taxpayer," he said.

Martelsaidhe can't understand why the same people whose behaviour has been questioned are deciding what information will be released to the public.

"What does that say for the rest of Nova Scotia? What is the role of the Department of Municipal Affairs in protectingour backs as taxpayers?" Martel said.

Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill said the province is extremely limited in its ability to interfere with local government decisions.

"Usually,it involves cases of immediate financial crisis or public safety, and this is an issue of ethics and expenses," he said.

Changes could be coming

Churchill, however,saidhe's not happy with the events unfolding in Richmond County.

"We've got a serious issue around expenses and abuse of expensesthat have warranted an RCMP investigation, so that's obviously of significant concern to our department, to our government,and we want to make sure that the situationis properlydealtwith."

Churchill saiddepartment staff were inthe closed council meeting regardingthe forensic audit to offer advice.

Once a review of the Municipal Government Act is finished, he said there could be some changes to the rules regulating municipal expense spending "to ensure that all municipal units are operating at the highest standards when it comestotransparency and accountability."