After conflicting accounts, a Toronto audio forensic laboratory has confirmed there was indeed a death threat levelled against The Current’s publisher Roger Paul by Councillor Ernie Peplinski in a public council meeting on February 7, contradicting claims made by Mayor Kim Love who said there was no evidence of a …
OPINION On August 9th, The Current reported on Council’s discussion of the alleged death threat made by Councillor Ernie Peplinski during a public meeting. Since the story broke, we have attempted to ask Peplinski as well as Mayor Love and CAO Suzanne Klatt questions relating to the recording. We also …
At the August 6 Council in Committee meeting, CAO Sue Klatt reported on an agenda item entitled “OPP occurrence filed.” This related to an episode that occurred at the Council in Committee meeting of February 7 2019. During that meeting Councillor Ernest Peplinski was alleged to have used “unparliamentary language” …
OPINION As announced at the June 4 Council in Committee meeting, in an effort to reduce the high cost of investigations conducted by controversial Integrity Commissioner, Guy Giorno, Madawaska Valley Township has hired Sudbury consulting firm, Expertise for Municipalities (E4M), to oversee the validity of complaints made by citizens against …
OPINION I feel that instead of investigating the actual complaint, Giorno decided to focus on a trivial irrelevant query of a not-for-profit volunteer-based community service. — Christine Darbyson After charging taxpayers $4,350 and taking a full year to investigate what was a very brief altercation, Integrity Commissioner Guy Giorno …
OPINION I’ve been an obscure writer for a pretty long time. With some modest success I’ve managed to consistently get published writing about things that infuriate me, especially political and social issues. Part of the deal obscure writers make with themselves is the willingness to take day jobs that can …
The routine use of non-disclosure agreements without any consideration of the public’s best interests has become a legal epidemic that undermines the very idea of an open and accountable society. Andrew Nikiforuk, How Non-Disclosure Agreements have become a cancer on democracy, published on October 18, 2018 in The Tyee. OPINION …
OPINION Editor’s note: This is the first of occasional articles The Current will publish relating to the 2019 federal election. It is election year and Canada is about to get ugly. Our traditionally polite dispositions will soon be replaced by venom, pointed at those we have deemed our enemies — our …
ANALYSIS Editor’s note: This analysis is based on the contents of Township records, and a review of evidence and documents contained in the Superior Court claim Rosien brought against the Township of Madawaska Valley for breach of contract. Much of it has been previously reported exclusively by The Current. …
Councillor Shelley Maika (above) has found herself in hot water after a formal complaint was lodged by a local resident who claimed Maika verbally assaulted her on May 2 at the Township office. According to Christine Darbyson, Maika burst into a private meeting between Darbyson and Acting Interim Treasurer Ross Jeffrey, …
James Di Fiore is a freelance journalist focusing on politics and media. He is also a radio host at chcr.org in Killaloe. The opinions expressed in this op-ed are solely those of the author. Just when you thought the long shadow of controversy and unexpected plot twists had left …
Madawaska Valley Township’s first Integrity Commissioner, Jack Rosien, has commenced legal proceedings against the Township for breach of contract, The Current has learned. According to documents filed recently in the Superior Court of Justice at Pembroke, Rosien is claiming his contract with the Township was wrongfully terminated because the Township …
In this Op-Ed piece, James di Fiore updates us on the Patrick Brown story (see CTV confirms broadcast of false accusation against Patrick Brown – the Current Feb.14) The opinions expressed in this op-ed are solely those of the author. Here’s the breakdown as to why you should be …
By now, everyone knows about the sexual misconduct allegations made against former provincial PC leader, Patrick Brown, which resulted in his resignation just 5 months before the provincial election. The allegations were first revealed by CTV. Now, however, new statements from one of the two women who accused Brown of …
