Complaint against Saint Andrews mayor ‘dismissed’ following third-party investigation

A code-of-conduct complaint filed against Mayor Brad Henderson has been dismissed by council following an investigation by a third party.

During a council meeting, Henderson recused himself as council was presented an investigative report by Jody Carr – the subject of which is not public.

The name of the complainant was not revealed, as that information is subject to closed session under legal and human rights.

Paul Nopper, the town’s senior administrator and clerk, said in an email the review process and determination of the report took several months.

All code-of-conduct complaints are subject to Bylaw No. 22-02, A By-Law to Regulate the Code of Conduct of Council of the Town of Saint Andrews.

Any reported violations of that bylaw are subject to an investigation by council, which means council can retain a third party or panel with relevant experience to investigate.

During his mayoral comments, Henderson addressed the complaint.

“I just want the public to be aware that it was an unfounded complaint that came into the municipality,” he said, saying he couldn’t say much due to the confines of closed session rules. “Taxpayers of Saint Andrews have a right to know that it costs a significant amount of money to this municipality to investigate it.”

Nopper confirmed the investigation cost the town $5,000.