There's a financial compliance committee meeting set for next month, when the Elliot Lake Compliance Audit Committee will review financial statements filed by some of the 17 candidates for municipal council who ran in the vote held Oct. 22, 2018.
One of those candidates, Luc Morrissette, who did not get elected, contacted ElliotLakeToday to advise he has been informed about the committee meeting by Elliot Lake City Clerk Natalie Bray. He said several several successful candidates including Councillors Norman Mann, Sandy Finamore and Chris Patrie got the same email from.Clerk Bray.
In a verbal response to ElliotLakeToday's query, Ms. Bray said, "It has nothing to do with (Elliot Lake) Council, but at the meeting candidate's financial statements will be examined and the committee is expected to deliberate on them."
Bray said the meeting agenda has yet to be completed and will be released as soon at it is. She said the meeting will be open to the public.
According to Morrissette, the email he received from Elliot Lake City Hall stated, "Please be advised that a Request for Compliance Audit and Review of Financial Statements & Contributions has been filed with respect to your Financial Statements for the 2018 Municipal Election. As per the Election Act, the Compliance Audit Committee has thirty (30) days to meet and review the application."
Morrissette said the Clerk's email continued, "This email is to advise that a meeting date has been set for Wednesday August 7, 2019 at 1:00 PM in Elliot Lake (meeting room to be determined). This meeting is open to the public and you have the opportunity to respond to the request in person at the meeting, by agent or in writing."
Morrissette said the email concluded, "A complete agenda package will be distributed next week. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me." It was sent by Clerk Natalie Bray.
Morrissette concluded, "From what I have been told, the meeting held in Aug., is being conducted by a panel of clerks from the North Shore."
He went on, "They will determined (sic) if the allegations are justified and need a full and costly Audit or all applications will be dismissed."
Morrissette, a long time successful Elliot Lake business person, said neither Mayor Dan Marchisella nor Councillors Luc Cyr, Ed Pearce and Tom Turner have been contacted by the Clerk.
In his words, "Is this a witch hunt? I think this is a story the people of Elliot Lake should should follow."