Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann said in a statement to media this morning that the conflict of interest allegations levelled against her are not only disturbing and unfounded, but offend "any principles of decency and fair play."
The city councillor is referring to accusations levelled against her by a man named André Dumais, who is part of a group of downtown supporters trying to stop the $100-million event centre development on The Kingsway.
In court documents filed in Sudbury in early December, Dumais accused Landry-Altmann of having a conflict because she was a member of the board of directors of the Sudbury District Motorsports Association.
While not part of the June vote, motorsports officials are interested in land near the Kingsway site for a future motorsports park. The land is owned by the Crown and First Nations, and agreements with them, as well as financing, must happen before the park moves ahead.
Landry-Altmann, however, said she resigned from the board in March, something Dumais would have discovered if he had talked with her before filing the complaint.
Last week, she accused Dumais of using the media to publicize a false complaint against her.
In a statement this morning, Landry-Altmann called on Dumais to sit down with her "to clear up this matter," while renewing her demand he apologize and withdraw his court application.
Read the full statement below:
It is important that the public be aware that the conflict created by Mr. Dumais against me is serious and without merit.
What is really going on here? The media is caught in an unfortunate dilemma that requires them to report on allegations made by Mr. Dumais that cannot be substantiated by the facts and which are based on internet and community articles that are not accurate or verified by objective sources.
This very situation is disturbing and offends any principles of decency and fair play especially when the consequences of such actions by Mr. Dumais have the effect of tarnishing my good name and reputation.
I am being personally attacked and discredited by Mr. Dumais through the media when I have never been served with any court documents by him. I understand that we all have a right to free speech, but this right should never be used by anyone as a means of tarnishing the good name and reputation of any person or any elected official for political gain.
If Mr. Dumais is disheartened by the decision of Municipal Council regarding the location of the arena/event center attacking me personally and professionally is not a proper way to undermine the decision made by the City and its elected officials.
In my earlier statement at our last Council meeting, I stated that Mr. Dumais needs to withdraw his court application and publicly apologize to me.
I expect Mr. Dumais to do this and to at least have the courtesy of meeting with me to clear up this matter so that the truth be known for the public good, regardless of anyone’s position on the location of the arena/event center.
