Image

November 1, 2017

The land at the centre of an investigation at Petrolia Town Hall has been sold again.
Ontario Land Registry records show 395 Fletcher St. no longer belongs to the town’s chief administrative officer.
Manny Baron’s numbered company owns 395 Fletcher St. which the town rents for $2,500 per month and 4168 Robert Street – home to the town’s new youth and seniors recreation centre.
First, Baron purchased the Robert Street property 11 days before the youth/senior centre concept was approved by council. Baron did not disclose his ownership. He said he didn’t because the town was getting the building “rent free.” Councillor Ross O’Hara later said Baron told him the town was paying $1,800 in utilities in lieu of rent.
The CAO, according to Land Registry documents, purchased 395 Fletcher St. on Sept. 29 from developer Horst Richter. Then during a council meeting Oct. 10, when the ownership of the building was questioned, Baron told councillors it belonged to the developer.
Oct. 20, councillors hired John E. Fleming to investigate and placed Baron on paid leave.
Land registry documents show the CAO sold the property back to Richter, for the original sale price of $290,000, on Oct. 17, two days after the purchase was made public.
Land registry records accessed Monday show Baron still owned 4168 Robert St.
It’s not clear how long the probe will take. The former London administrator has already been conducting interviews with local residents.

Share This

Image
Front Page

In camera rants shock Lambton councillors

May 22, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent There is more than a little tension around the Lambton County council table recently. It stems from an in camera incident which led to shouting loud enough to be heard in the council chambers. It stems, sources tell The Independent, from the investigation by the Integrity Commissioner into the conduct of Sarnia City/County Councillor Bill Dennis. Nov.

Read More

Image
Front Page

Fundraising for Wyoming pool repairs needed

May 22, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent The Wyoming Lions and the local community foundation are gearing up to raise money to fix the Wyoming Pool. The pool in McKay Park was built in 1972 and has been a hub for the community for over 50 years with small children learning how to swim and some eventually returning for summer jobs as lifeguards. But

Read More

Image
Front Page

Petrolia man charged at Forest/London Line crash

May 22, 2025

Another accident at the corner of Forest and London Line. Friday, just before 2 pm, OPP were called to the corner for an accident. One of the drivers was transport to hospital by paramedics with non-life threatening injuries. A 54-year-old of Petrolia was charged under the Highway Traffic Act with Starting from stopped position – not in safety After multiple

Read More

Image
Front Page

LCCVI girls capture LK soccer title

May 22, 2025

John Wright/The Independent The LCCVI Lancers senior girls soccer team beat Great Lakes seven-nil in the LKSSAA AA final on Wednesday afternoon to capture their second title in the last three seasons.  The Lancers took a commanding lead in the first half with Olivia Minten netting two goals. Myla Bell and Noelle Edgar scored to extend the lead to 4-0

Read More