LAURIE WEIR
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom has announced he is stepping back from some of his mayoral duties at the Township of Rideau Lakes, citing ongoing conflicts with members of council and concerns for his well-being.
“This decision was not made lightly and comes at the urging of my doctor, family, and friends,” Hoogenboom stated.
The move comes amid a deepening divide within township council, which has been the subject of multiple Integrity Commissioner investigations in recent years. Hoogenboom directly blamed “the continuous unacceptable behaviour” of five council members who, he says, have worked to undermine his leadership.
Coun. Joan Delaney – who has severed as the Ward 3 councillor for the past six-plus years, resigned on March 4.
The fractures within council have been well-documented, with past Integrity Commissioner reports outlining conflicts. Allegations of conduct violations, personal disputes, and accusations of dysfunction have surfaced repeatedly, painting a picture of a council at odds.
In previous reports, Integrity Commissioners (there have been three in the past year) found instances where council members acted in ways that strained governance, including public disputes and concerns over transparency.
In the most recent reports, Hoogenboom was scrutinized for his lack of leadership, which was called out by several councillors who sought, and won, a non-confidence vote at the last council meeting of March 3.
Paula Banks to serve as Acting Mayor
With Hoogenboom stepping back, Deputy Mayor Paula Banks will assume the role of acting mayor – until June. In this township, the role of the DM changes every six months with each councillor serving a rotation.
It remains unclear how long Hoogenboom’s pause will last, or whether he intends to return to full mayoral duties.
In the meantime, Hoogenboom says he will shift his focus to his role with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, where he says his leadership is respected. He also expressed hope that remaining council members will take steps toward “greater accountability, transparency, and civility.”
Despite the challenges, Hoogenboom thanked township staff for their continued professionalism and support during what he called “challenging political times.”
Banks said she doesn’t know how long the mayor will be away from the municipal table, but they have “complete faith” in their Chief Administrative Officer Shellee Fournier and Clerk Mary Ellen Truelove.
“If anything, there will be a lot less tension at the meetings,” she said.
Hope Rideau Lakers will play very close attention to the decisions made in the next 3 months and which ward(s) will benefit. It will look mostly the same as the last 1 1/2 years in terms of which ward has received the Township’s resources. The difference will be that it will be even more obvious as there will be fewer people at the table acting as a brake.
Not surprising!
I totally respect Arie’s decision to step away, his health comes first!
It scares me with the budget coming up, I have serious doubts that this can be managed in a sensible fashion!
I am fully supportive of our Mayor in making this choice. Again, he shows leadership in putting his health first and the township first. I am extremely worried for Councilors Pollard and Maxwell and how they will be treated – as well as staff. Equally worried about where the 2025 budget take the township and fairness in spending to ensure the entire township is taken into account.
I beg to differ Paula. The reason for the tension is still there at the council meetings. You 5 should all be ashamed at the total lack of respect for our Mayor. I have watched meetings and it is totally unacceptable how he is treated. You are bullies and show no respect for anyone. I rarely ever speak out on issues but you people should all be let go. I do not claim to know a lot about some matters but I know and see unfair and selfish behaviour from this group. How can anything ever be decided when opinions from other council members are cut off and ignored. You councilors are to be working for us, as you have our tax dollars and instead you oppose any or most ideas as you feel yours are the only right ones. You say Arie is the tension. Unbelievable. As I said in an earlier text. I do not want my tax dollars going to the United States. And I am sure I am not alone .We have also lost Joan off council . Two very important council members. Some people when they find themselves in a position of power, loose their sense of right and wrong. It happens ,but it is very sad for Rideau Lakes Township.