Councillor issues letter of apology regarding e-mail issue

By Ron Giofu

A town councillor is apologizing to residents after learning about where e-mails go when sent to a “Council E-mail Group.”

Councillor Diane Pouget issued a letter of apology late last week, with it being made known at a public planning meeting earlier in the week that e-mails sent to the council e-mail group are also sent to the CAO and clerk. Pouget opposed the practice at the meeting, believing residents were sending the e-mails thinking they were for council only, and sent a letter of apology later in the week.

The letter reads:

“Dear residents of the Town of Amherstburg,

Please be advised, that on Monday, March 27th I became aware that emails, that you sent or might have sent to the elected members of Amherstburg Town Council via Council Email Group were being read and/or monitored by administration. Please know, that I was unaware of this action and I do not condone this practice.

The surprise on the face of Health Foundation and Hospice officials was the payoff for the youngsters as they unveiled this year’s total.

Long-time Hogs for Hospice coordinator Joe Oswald was present for the announcement and was moved to tears.

“Thanks for making me cry,” he said to the Baillargeon kids. “That’s just amazing.”

The $30,039.88 brings the 10-year total to $116,599.88.

“Our goal this year was to break the $100,000 total,” said Lauren. “None of this would be possible without our Kids Curing Cancer family, which includes our sponsors, volunteers, friends and family.”

I sincerely apologize and I give you my word, that I will do everything in my power to change this situation.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Pouget”

A note stating that the CAO and clerk are included on council e-mail group e-mails is now posted to the town’s website.

Both CAO Valerie Critchley and clerk Kevin Fox stated during the meeting that e-mails are not being monitored with the CAO stating if the e-mails have to do with planning matters, they are forwarded to that department. Fox indicated users of the program Outlook can see who is on a specific group, and noted administration is included because some e-mails have an administrative impact. Fox told the RTT last week that the inclusion of the CAO and clerk happened prior to his arrival, adding “I believe the thought behind it was that it would be a convenient way to quickly be able to get resident complaints to the correct department to be addressed and to ensure that all requirements of the Municipal Act regarding Council communications are adhered to.”