Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens makes a point as Essex County Warden Gary McNamara and area representatives in labour and business look on at City Hall, May 17, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens makes a point as Essex County Warden Gary McNamara and area representatives in labour and business look on at City Hall, May 17, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

UPDATE: Integrity Commissioner has not dismissed a complaint against Windsor's mayor

The city's integrity commissioner is still investigating a complaint against Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.

Dee Sweet filed the complaint last week, which is related to a news conference Dilkens held on May 17. Surrounded by other public officials, Dilkens suggested the BIAs that donated money to the Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process could lose their funding. Two BIAs, VIA Italia and the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association had donated money. A third, the Wyandotte Town Centre BIA withheld their donation pending the outcome of a city council discussion on budgets for the associations.

Dilkens alleged the BIAs were in contravention of the Ontario Municipal Act because the donations were not within their scope of responsibility.

“This could mean the dissolution of the boards by city council, that is the ultimate option, or council to opt to reduce each BIA’s budget,” said Dilkens.

Ultimately, the BIAs opted to use cash from their reserves for their donations, and city council approved their budgets.

Sweet said the mayor misrepresented CAMPP's battle.

"It isn't about the hospital," she said. "It's about the Sandwich South property and the development of a new neighbourhood. I don't believe an election can ever accuse the general public at large without evidence."

Sweet misunderstood on Thursday that the complaint was dismissed, and said her criticism is legitimate.

"I stand by my feelings that that behaviour was bullying," said Sweet. "You can't convince me a man of his education that he did not know the BIAs were not in contravention."

The rezoning of the land on County Road 42 and Concession Road 9 is before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal now.

BlackburnNewsWindsor.com asked the mayor on Friday morning for his reaction to the complaint. He declined to comment, saying he is waiting to hear from the integrity commissioner himself.

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