Petrolia’s Integrity Commissioner says broke the town’s Code of Conduct for councillors after suggesting there should be a forensic audit of the town books.
And Nigel Bellchamber is suggesting council “formally reprimand” Purdy, but not dock his pay.

Bellchamber was called into investigate Purdy’s conduct Nov. 14 – the same day the town accepted the resignation of the CAO. Manny Baron had been renting the town buildings through a numbered company without disclosing it to council.

Purdy had been critical of the move before council accepted the resignation.

Bellchamber was added to the council agenda Monday night as the meeting began so he could give his final report.
Purdy says he was not aware Bellchamber’s investigation was complete nor did he see the report before hand.

The complaints included Purdy made comments to The Independent and on social media about the need for a forensic audit of the town books in the wake of Baron’s resignation.

Of greater concern to Bellchamber was what he believed most reasonable people would see as attacks on town staff in the media and suggestions by Purdy of wrong doing to a private contractor working for the town.

Bellchamber recommended Purdy be formally reprimanded.

Purdy alleges Bellchamber was biased toward him before he even interviewed him. He pointed to an article in The Timmins Press where Bellchamber gave an example which appeared to be about Purdy – something he didn’t deny, although Bellchamber questioned the accuracy of the report. The report appeared in print Jan. 17, before Bellchamber spoke to Purdy.

You can read the full story in The Independent – on newstands today.