Managing duties

Aldo Ruberto says being a board member trumps his duties as a councillor even if that means the city has to take on the cost of the Royal Edward Arms.

The Thunder Bay District Social Services Board has decided to hand the building back to the city in 2015. The Royal Edward Arms is in rough shape inside and needs millions of dollars in upgrades.

Ruberto, who sits on DSSAB as the vice-chair, said he wears two hats while sitting on a board – one being a board member and the other as a city councillor. He believes the decision the board made was in the best interest of the city.

But at the end of the day, the At-Large Coun. said his duty to the board overrules his duty as a councillor.

“Once administration came back with a very detailed report we realized it would be best if it went back to the city and let the city deal with it and let them spend the money in a sense,” he said. “Once you’re on the board, you have to speak as a board member.

"One we’re councillors but we’re board members so we have a duty to the board. We made the decision in the best interest of the client and that’s the most important thing.”

Ruberto said he wasn’t sure how much renovations would cost but believed the amount would be substantial.

“The best interest for the city is giving the building back to the city and let the city look at an alternative,” he said. “Maybe give it to the private sector and make condos, apartments etc.”

That news that the Royal Edward would be handed over to the city came as a shock to some on council who don’t sit on the board. Fellow At-Large Coun. Rebecca Johnson voiced her concerns over the decision at Monday night’s meeting.

Johnson felt that there wasn’t any notice for councillors not sitting on the board.

There are also concerns about the loss of more than 60 affordable housing units, while more than 1,200 people are currently on a waitlist for social housing.

Ruberto apologized during the meeting but argued that the tenants have two years before moving out. He explained that the plan so far is to move the 64 residents from the Royal Edward to other accommodations when it comes up.

City Manager Tim Commisso says a report on the future of the historic building will come forward in the fall.