Declare that $20K spent on furnishings, renovations for Port Hope mayor’s workplace ‘utterly false,’ say employees and mayor

A web-based declare that $20,000 was spent on new furnishings for the Port Hope mayor’s workplace is “rumour-based” and “utterly false,” attendees heard at council’s newest January assembly.

“There appears to be a whole lot of curiosity within the renovations of the mayor’s workplace right here on the town corridor — and I feel one of the simplest ways to handle the curiosity, questions and issues is to let you know precisely the correct details about what has transpired in my workplace,” mentioned Mayor Olena Hankivsky, who spoke up in regards to the declare in the course of the casual neighborhood updates portion of the assembly forward of delving into agenda enterprise.

Attendees heard it was lower than $1,200 spent, with each Hankivsky and chief administrative officer David Smith chatting with bills. After the assembly, employees instructed Northumberland Information the quantity was really beneath $1,100. 

“Usually, we don’t reply on to misinformation being unfold locally, however I really feel compelled really to handle the inflammatory and really disappointing publish on social media, on Fb,” mentioned Smith. “The creator has claimed that the mayor has spent $20,000 on new workplace furnishings and it’s very disappointing, as a result of that is all rumour-based, and statements made with out no foundation of reality are dangerous to our neighborhood.”

“I can report that the mayor being frugal and her considerate method in controlling prices and (with) reusing furnishings, about $1,200 has been spent changing furnishings in dire and determined want of being changed,” mentioned Smith. “To be particular, 4 chairs have been bought for $129 every — they have been bought on Fb Market.

Two lamps have been bought at $61, one lamp was bought at $87 and paint provides have been bought for beneath $100.”

Smith described lighting within the workplace as “substandard.”

“It doesn’t meet what we’ve got in different areas of our area, however the merchandise to switch the overhead lighting was not in our present finances and the mayor didn’t really feel it was acceptable to go outdoors of our regular finances. So, we are going to finances for that alternative in 2023, however within the meantime, to ensure that ample lighting was in place, the acquisition of the three lamps … have been accepted.”

Smith famous the mayor additionally added some private gadgets to her workplace (offered by her) to complement what would usually be offered — and mentioned he strongly supported alternative of furnishings.

“Should you had ever sat in one of many customer’s chairs, they’re fairly rickety. So, the publish claiming that $20,000 (for) buying furnishings is totally false …”

At this level, Hankivsky spoke up once more, saying to be “completely correct,” it was “beneath $1,200.”

“We do dwell on the earth of social media and all of us interact in social media, and possibly it is a plea to the broader neighborhood (that) you probably have a query about this council, you probably have a query about something that we’re doing, there’s a strategy to attain out to us,” mentioned Hankivsky, including folks can attain out on to council or the municipality. “We might be more than pleased to present you appropriate info, to be 100 per cent clear and accountable for the entire choices and selections which are made right here.

“I converse for this council once I say that these are good people who find themselves making an attempt to do proper by this neighborhood, who’re very a lot dedicated to the betterment of this neighborhood, who’re very conscious of the worth of public cash and make choices accordingly.”

“So, when you count on a whole lot of us as your elected representatives, I’d additionally simply counsel that we’ve got a reciprocal relationship with the neighborhood and we ask that you simply additionally take these duties severely, of not spreading misinformation,” mentioned Hankivsky, whereas sharing hopes of continuous with wholesome discussions and debates in democracy and for the neighborhood.

Smith additionally famous some might remark carpet was changed within the workplace.

This was a deliberate alternative — it was the one carpet within the constructing/administrative areas but to get replaced, he mentioned. The mayor’s workplace was additionally the final space to be repainted and this was additionally deliberate, he added.

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