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Mayor Williams steps down as chair of Orangeville Police Services Board

May 12, 2016   ·   0 Comments

Orangeville Mayor Jeremy Williams has temporarily stepped down as chair of the Orangeville Police Service Board (OPSB).

His move follows confirmation of the fact that his use of a Town of Orangeville credit card is being investigated by Peel Regional Police. To be clear, the Mayor has not been charged with any crime; Peel Police are simply reviewing the evidence to determine whether any charges might be laid. The Peel Police had originally been asked by Orangeville Council to determine whether there was enough information to warrant an investigation. At Monday night’s council meeting, Mayor Williams confirmed that the matter was indeed being formally investigated.

As OPSB chair, the Mayor has been the lead negotiator for the next police contract. Some close to the situation had privately wondered how the in the circumstances the Mayor could continue in that role.

OPSB meeting Minutes dated April 12 show that some board members were also concerned about the optics of having the Mayor serve as chair while being under investigation by the Peel Police. In section 8.5 of the minutes Vice Chair Ken Krakar, an Orangeville insurance broker, advised the Mayor that he had some concerns regarding Orangeville Council’s intention to ask the Police to investigate the Mayor. Specifically, Mr Krakar was alarmed that Council had passed a motion in camera to have Mayor Williams step down from the Police Services Board. The Mayor responded that “sometimes politics factors into these things,” and went on to share that since the Deputy Mayor (Warren Maycock) had chaired that meeting, he and Council had no authority to ask him to step down.  Mr. Krakar went on to remark that “if there is an investigation some may see it as you should step down during the process”. Mayor Williams advised the board that he felt the Council motion to have him step down was “a personal attack and frivolous.”

However, during a May 10 OPSB meeting held in council chambers, Mr. Krakar introduced a motion formally asking Mayor Williams to step down as chair. The Mayor agreed and relinquished his leadership position on the OPSB. Councillor Gail Campbell, Council’s other representative on the board, felt this was appropriate.”

“There should not be “any kind of shadow over the police services board”. She also asked Mayor Williams to relinquish his role on the police contract negotiating committee. The Mayor accepted all of the board’s wishes while he is under investigation.

As a result, Mr. Krakar will be acting OPSB chair and fill the position of lead negotiator for in the police contract negotiations. Mayor Williams will continue to serve as an active member of the police services board and as an adviser for the balance of contract negotiations.

Reaction to the events from the community has been muted. Most feel that due to the sensitivities of the pending criminal investigation they are unsure of what exactly they can or cannot say. William Ford, Corporate Communications Officer for the Peel Police provided the following statement.  “There have been previous articles written concerning the involvement of the Peel Regional Police. We will not be offering any further information concerning this matter at this time.”

Councillor Scott Wilson seemed to sum the situation up best, saying that while he wasn’t at Council when the issue came up, “I think as Councillors we’re not sure what we can and what we can’t say.  We’ve only discussed it during ‘in camera’ sessions. I think it would be inappropriate for Council  to not support the Mayor at this time – after all, he hasn’t been charged with anything, much less convicted.  Innocent until proven guilty will be my guiding principle.”

Police Chief Wayne Kalinski was off from work ill but did return a phone call and share his  thoughts on the matter. First and foremost, the chief is committed to keeping the Orangeville police force out of any negative light. The Chief continues to be extremely proud of his force and the many positive accomplishments achieved during his tenure as lead officer. He said the Police Services Board has been doing the right thing for the community and Mayor Williams has been “nothing but supportive”.

Chief Kalinski also mentioned that the Mayor is innocent until proven guilty, and predicted that none of this will change how the board operates; they would continue to be open and transparent with the community it serves.

On Wednesday, the OPSB issued a news release stating that it had asked the Mayor “to step down from his position as he is currently being investigated by the Peel Regional Police Service in relation to his use of his corporate credit card. On March 21, 2016, Orangeville Council had requested that the Mayor remove himself from the Police Services Board until Peel Regional Police make a determination about criminal charges.

“At the May 10, 2016 Orangeville Police Services Board meeting, Board members moved a motion requesting that Mayor Williams voluntarily resign as Chair of the Board, pending the outcome of the ongoing police investigation.

“The request was made due to the perception in the community as a result of the allegations against Mayor Williams. Mayor Williams complied with the wishes of the Board.

“The Board accepted the resignation of Mayor Williams and appointed Vice Chair Ken Krakar as Acting Chair of the Board.”

The release quoted Mr. Krakar as taking the mayor “for his commitment to the Orangeville Police Services Board, and for graciously complying with our request for him to step down as Chair.

“The Mayor will continue to be a member of the Board. The Orangeville Police Services Board, along with Chief Kalinski and members of the Service are committed to being community-focused.”

The Citizen tried to reach Mayor Williams for comment, but phone calls were not returned.

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