The mayor of Chatham-Kent is being asked to resign by environmental activist group Water Wells First (WWF).
WWF spokesperson Kevin Jakubec wonders if there's a cover up underway because Mayor Randy Hope didn't disclose a May 18 letter from former Environment Minister Glen Murray.
The letter states that loose sediments in water wells, potentially caused by wind turbine vibration, could have heavy metals that are naturally occurring, however, they do not dissolve with vibration.
Jakubec says disclosing that information could have saved the group more than $230,000 in well testing.
"I would strongly suggest that Mayor Hope follow the former Minister of the Environment Glen Murray in resigning," says Jakubec.
Jakubec wants the mayor to attend the next Water Wells First meeting August 15 and explain why he didn't disclose the letter.
Mayor Hope says he disclosed the letter to council as he's mandated to do and doesn't appreciate the group's criticism and call for his resignation. He says he was advocating on behalf of Water Wells First when he wrote the minister a letter in April requesting a meeting.
Jakubec says the ombudsman will be getting a complaint if Mayor Hope doesn't soon provide a reasonable explanation.
"If the mayor cannot provide an adequate reason that's acceptable by our community, then Water Wells First will file a complaint with the ombudsman for a conflict of interest," Jakubec says.
Jakubec says he's talking to his lawyers to determine if a lawsuit should be filed.
"We are looking at options legally and one of the options on the table is litigation. One of the concerns is going to get to the ears of the environmental commissioner of Ontario if Mayor Hope doesn't come to our meeting August 15 and explain why he didn't share this with the community," says Jakubec.