LETTER: Vaughan deputy mayor Di Biase controversy no surprise

Yorkregion.com
May 7, 2015

Re: Deputy mayor docked 90 days pay, April 23.

As a long time resident of the city, I was not surprised to see Deputy Mayor Michael Di Biase on the front page of The Vaughan Citizen.

Mr. Di Biase has consistently maintained a high profile, yet as far back as his career beginnings there’s been controversy.

Surprisingly, the residents always re-elect him, and not just as a regional councillor. He has even served as Vaughan’s mayor.

I do not understand what power this gentleman maintains, to the extent that some staff members feared for the loss of their employment, according to the integrity commissioner’s report.

How does a councillor have the right to terminate city staff? Is there not an employment procedure in place, or are the members of the governing body allowed to hire and fire at will?

It is great to see that council voted unanimously on the maximum penalty. Maybe they should have used Mr. Di Biase’s “apparent” powers of staffing and terminated “his” employment.

Howard Kramer
Maple