Town of Gibbons Council Imposes Sanctions on Mayor Horner Page 1 of 4

Media Release

For Immediate Release

July 29, 2014

STATEMENT:
Protecting the Community & the People, Gibbons Town Council Votes
Unanimously to Impose Sanctions on Mayor Doug Horner for Six Months
The Town of Gibbons has been undergoing great stress over the past 9 months since the
election and have been trying our best to deal with our matters internally however; it has taken a
significant toll on the people within our organization and our community. In recent months, our
internal matters have begun to affect our reputation and image with our close neighbours and
our regional partners, which if not dealt with in an effective manner, may hurt the Sturgeon
Region.
Therefore, the Town of Gibbons Council at its July 23
rd
, 2014 meeting, took a huge step forward
in protecting the citizens of Gibbons and its employees by voting unanimously to pass a series
of motions (detailed in the Background Information) that will significantly limit the roles and
responsibilities of Mayor Doug Horner for a minimum period of six (6) months. In accordance
with the Alberta Municipal Government Act (MGA), Mayor Horner will remain as a voting
member of Council and will retain the ceremonial title of Mayor.

Council members adopted the motions only after seeking legal opinions and guidance from its
lawyers at Brownlee LLP and providing Mayor Horner time to prepare himself and several
opportunities (June 25
th
& July 23
rd
) to respond to specific allegations involving his conduct
during an In Camera session. Mayor Horner did meet with Council during an In Camera
session on July 23
rd
during which time he made it abundantly clear that he was not prepared to
accept responsibility for his actions nor is capable of realigning his behaviours with what is
expected of an elected official or serve as a true leader of a municipal organization.

Actions that include but are in no way limited to the following:
Attending meetings, ostensibly on behalf of Council, without the prior knowledge of
Council (and absent of any Council direction) and then failing to report back to Council
on the outcome of these discussions. Such as meeting with the Minister of Municipal
Affairs regarding Library Services.
On several occasions demonstrating that you have a quick temper; issuing ultimatums,
making accusations, and in engaging in unprofessional conduct and demonstrating bully
and/or threatening behaviour toward Town Council members and some Town
employees. Such as verbally abusing the CAO in the parking lot of Sturgeon Countys
Office;
Engaging in personal conduct that reflects poorly on the Office of the Mayor, Town
Council and the municipal corporation by being involved in both physical and verbal
altercations at a local pub;

Town of Gibbons Council Imposes Sanctions on Mayor Horner Page 2 of 4
Acting independent of Council by developing the Mayors Task Forces with little Council
consultation and with no terms of reference, resources or administrative assistance;
unilaterally establishing a Committee of the Whole component for Council meetings; and
Improperly granting an exemption to obtain a business license to an individual to allow
the individual to test out the market first without the prior knowledge and consent of
Council.
It is Councils goal to foster a municipal organization that provides great services but does so by
creating an environment that is positive, safe, respectful and equitable and one that holds
everyone to a high standard and in compliance with the MGA.
This Sanction process represents the first major step in making this goal possible allowing
business operation to take place on a day-to-day basis. The second step is that Council and
Administration strongly desire to work towards a common vision that reflects the desires of the
community in order to move our town forward. For that reason, council, in conjunction with town
administration, is engaging in a formal mediation process that is scheduled to commence in late
August.



For council contact information, please contact our town office or visit our town website.
Town Office: 780-923-3331 Website: http://www.gibbons.ca

Please see over for Background information

Councillor Jean Woodger Councillor Amber Harris Deputy Mayor Louise Bauder
Councillor Darren McCann Councillor Jonathan Derouin Councillor Ed Parsons
Town of Gibbons Council Imposes Sanctions on Mayor Horner Page 3 of 4
Background Information
Motions already in Place
Special Meeting held on Thursday, February 6, 2014,
Councillor Parsons moved to have the Deputy Mayor be the liaison between council and
the CAO until further notice. 14/022
April 9, 2014 Regular Meeting of Council
Councillor Harris moved that council agree that in their effort to improve their
communication and transparency as an organization and a team that council commit to
providing full disclosure in regards to council related business meetings, projects,
appointments, etc. Furthermore, that council commit to make each individual schedule
for all council related appointments available on a Council shared Google calendar and
that it be updated a minimum of once per week. 14/085
Motions Adopted on July 23
rd
, 2014
Councillor Harris moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons amend Bylaw MOG
2/06 to appoint the Deputy Mayor as the Chair of Council meetings effective
immediately. 14/182
Councillor Woodger moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons hereby continue the
appointment of the Deputy Mayor as the liaison between the Chief Administrative Officer
and Council. 14/183
Councillor McCann moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons hereby revoke Mayor
Doug Horners authority to call a special council meeting as per Section 194(1)(3) of the
Municipal Government Act and delegate the authority to the Deputy Mayor. 14/184
Councillor Parsons moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons hereby revoke Mayor
Doug Horners authority to sign bylaws and other legal documents on behalf of the Town
of Gibbons and delegate such authority to the Deputy Mayor. 14/185
Councillor Derouin moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons hereby rescind
Motion 14/029 to establish the Mayors Task Forces. 14/186
Councillor Harris moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons hereby revoke Mayor
Doug Horners authority to act as the Councils spokesperson and that notification is
provided to all Provincial Ministries, Alberta Municipalities, media outlets, and other
bodies that the Town of Gibbons regularly conducts business with and that the
responsibilities be delegated to the Deputy Mayor. 14/187
Councillor Woodger moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons restrict Mayor Doug
Horner from setting up or attending meetings with any Federal, Provincial, Municipal
representatives or representatives from organizations or businesses without receiving
prior approval from Council. 14/188
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Councillor McCann moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons that should
annexation with Sturgeon County Council proceed and require a negotiating committee
to be established, that Mayor Doug Horner not be appointed to represent the Town of
Gibbons. 14/189
Councillor Parsons moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons hereby revoke Mayor
Doug Horners authority to act as an Ex-officio member on all internal committees,
boards or associations that are governed by the Town of Gibbons effective immediately.
14/190
Councillor Derouin moved that the Council of the Town of Gibbons hereby limit Mayor
Doug Horners access to the Town of Gibbons Municipal Offices to pick up his mail and
Council packages and not to engage the staff in any manner other than a general
enquiry that any member of Council is entitled. 14/191
Councillor McCann moved that motions 14/182, 14/183, 14/184, 14/185, 14/187, 14/188,
14/189, 14/190 and 14/191 be set in place for a period of six months or until the
completion of the mediation process however the time frame can be adjusted at the
discretion of Council. 14/192
General Notes:
Councils action will not affect the day-to-day workings of the community, which is
managed by a Chief Administrative Officer and more than 17 employees.

During this time, Council and Administration will undertake a mediation process in an
effort to establish a solid foundation that is based upon effective leadership, trust, mutual
respect, and a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities that will allow the Town
to move forward in a positive, cohesive and productive manner.

A Deputy Mayor appointed by Council will fulfill the official obligations and have all the
administrative responsibilities of the Mayor. The Deputy Mayor will also chair Council
meetings or appoint a Council member to do so.

Council will decide at a future meeting who will take on the internal board, association or
organization memberships (if any) formerly held by the Mayor.