Mayor Taso Christopher has been in the spotlight since taking office — as a central figure in several major stories including executing the city’s largest infrastructure investment to date, the departure of the Belleville Bulls, replacing the Ontario Hockey League club with a professional league a step down from the National Hockey League and a conflict of interest case where he was found by a Kingston judge to clearly have pecuniary interest when he voted in favour of a road project which required the purchase of property he owned.

Justice Timothy Ray did, however, agree with Christopher’s defence that he erred in judgement and did not act in bad faith when he failed to recuse himself from a vote to increase the Maitland Drive project budget by $1,750,000 in order to facilitate the building of a roundabout in the vicinity of the property where Farnham and Maitland intersect.

Ray ruled Christopher should have declared the interest, left his chair and withdrawn from the meeting.

In an interview with The Intelligencer, Monday, Christopher addressed a string of issues including why he didn’t deem it necessary to apologize to constituents after the courts found him culpable of breaching municipal conflict of interest rules and what the financial and national exposure the city stands to gain from the close to $29 million investment ($20.5 to expand Yardmen Arena and the $8 million loan given to the Ottawa Senators organization to acquire and relocate its farm team from Binghamton) the city will chalk up to retain top level hockey.

Q: Some may contend the city paid out too much in comparison to investment in the arts and other sectors. The city rolled out the red carpet and, out of desperation, gave up too much.

A: For one, we didn’t say you (Ottawa) can have what you want and we didn’t roll out the red carpet. Even with the performing arts, where we were and where we are now has gone a millennium.

Yardmen Arena was on the radar for infrastructure upgrades (partial facelifts proposed years ago) at a ticket price of approximately $7-9 million, but what came to fruition is full renovation to turn it into a facility for a professional hockey team. When you look at the economic return and the multiple stimulus (payroll of $3 million USD) of bringing that firm into Belleville… it was looked at (by council) as an economic development project. It’s great for the Bay of Quinte sector.

Q: Talk to me about how your emotions went from anxiety over acquiring the team to excitement over the unveiling.

A: You go through that time when you just can’t believe. You need someone to pinch you. We’re days away from the opening season. The city rebounded and brought an economic firm from the United States. You start looking at the hospitality and accommodation bookings… My understanding is a hotel is already pre-booked for 16 professional teams coming into Belleville.

Q: Why did you not issue an apology to the public after the court ruled that you had made a mistake? You made a comment that you were cleared which isn’t accurate. You were found to be in conflict though not committed in bad faith.

A: Because, that case is over and the judge ruled on it. I’m glad it’s over. Council can move forward on projects.

I have received some e-mails and phone calls from constituents. I’ve reached out to them and I’ve gone as far as visiting them at their residence and had good discussions on the process. There is clear understanding when you get both sides of the story.

Q: You don’t feel an apology is warranted, based on the public perception of how this looked?

A: The public perception is as a result of reading media reports or hearing radio coverage. The judge felt there was no hint of any bad faith. There was an err and in judgement and that was the ruling. That would say there is a ruling in favour of my case.

Q: But an err in judgement could also be defined as a mistake.

A: That’s your definition. I would hope it’s behind us now and I wouldn’t wish it on any municipal official. It’s a chapter closed and we’re moving forward. The conflict of interest laws have changed and it just has to get proclaimed by the province.

jamiller@postmedia.com