Did Caicco & Fratesi usurp the mayor's authority? (updated)

Who's in charge at Sault Ste. Marie's Civic Centre?

Mayor Rowswell?

Chief Administrative Officer Fratesi?

Mayoral wannabe Jamie Caicco?

That's the question behind the latest big City Council political dustup.

Mayor Rowswell is accusing Fratesi and Caicco of pulling a fast one on him, subverting the mayor's authority to get contracts signed and work started on the Fort Creek leg of the City's Hub Trail. The mayor, whose private engineering firm designs pedestrian bridges, has been deeply concerned in recent weeks about the design and foundations of two bridges to be built as part of the trail extension.

Rowswell wants the new pedestrian bridges built with hard piles, not the helical piles proposed by Sanchez Engineering, the consulting engineer retained for the project.

The mayor is so set against Sanchez's helical piles that he's refusing to sign contracts allowing the work to proceed, threatening to request a third-party review though Professional Engineers Ontario if the project is approved with helical piles.

Last week, when the frequently-ill Rowswell's duties were assumed by Acting Mayor James Caicco, Fratesi sent someone into the mayor's office to collect the contracts and had them signed by Caicco so work could be completed in compliance with the funding deadline.

Rowswell is livid over this action, accusing Fratesi of conducting City business behind his back.

Rowswell has served notice that on Monday, he will ask City Council to "suspend acting mayor status until such time staff respect and understand that the intention is not to have a backdoor around the mayor and his elected responsibility."

The latest raging controversy is outlined in the following exchange of documents between Rowswell, Fratesi and the City's engineering department. You might have to click directly on each image to see it full-sized in your browser.

Mayor's letter to City Council, claiming his authority was subverted Second Rowswell letter to City Council Joe Fratesi's response letter, Pg. 1 Joe Fratesi's response letter, Pg. 2 Joe Fratesi's response letter, Pg. 3 Response from City engineering staff, Pg. 1 Response from City engineering staff, Pg. 2 Response from City engineering staff, Pg. 3

************************* Tell 'em what you think

To e-mail your feelings on this issue to Mayor Rowswell and every member of City Council except Ward 6 Councillor Frank Manzo, please click here.

Councillor Manzo cannot be reached by e-mail, but you can phone or fax him at 945-9971.