Updated - Councillors conflicted on GCC deal grows to three

Posted October 15, 2012

When the confidential terms of the tentative deal New Tecumseth council has agreed to pursue in buying the Gibson Cultural Centre property moves into public session, three of the 10 members of council will declare conflicts of interest, one more than had been the case when negotiations started last spring.

Ward 5 councillor Donna Jebb is in conflict because she is immediately related to members of the Gibson family who hold the mortgage on the Tupper Street property. Ward 2 councillor Jamie Smith declares because his wife belongs to an organization that rents space in the facility.

When council met last week in special session to deal with the proposal, Ward 6 councillor Richard Norcross declared a conflict of interest. Mr. Norcross said "my conflict on GCC is that we have a catering licence with our business."

Previously, Mr. Norcross had been one of the more vocal councillors opposed to increased public dollars to keep the GCC afloat, insisting in the past to see "a viable business plan for the ongoing operation of the centre."

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