Proof of Hampstead Council’s Unethical Behaviour

In my article, Hampstead Council’s Outrageous Use of Your Tax Dollars”, I outlined serious concerns regarding the spending practices and unethical conduct of Mayor Jeremy Levi and the current Hampstead Council. Those concerns were based on extensive documentation obtained through official records and public disclosures.
 

This article presents that proof. It establishes, through verifiable records, that taxpayer funds were misused for personal benefit and that council failed in its duty to provide oversight and act in the public interest. Due to the nature of some documents that aren’t digitized I could not share ALL my evidence. If you are interested in digging deeper please contact me.

Proof of Council Misconduct

A 40.5% Salary Increase – Eight Times Inflation

The documents, linked below, include the 2022 by-law passed by the current council setting councillors’ salaries at $22,833 effective January 1, 2022. The previous by-law from 2019 set the salary at $16,250That is an increase of $6,583or 40.5% in just three years.

During that same period, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by only 5%, meaning council raised its own pay eight times faster than inflation. The cost of this increase alone amounts to nearly a quarter of a million dollars in additional taxpayer spending over the current term – just for the raise, not the base salaries.

 

Our Commitment to You: Bill and his team will restore salaries to 2019 levels, adjusted only for inflation.

$900 Per Night on a Dallas Hotel

The cheque, linked below, shows that Mayor Jeremy Levi was reimbursed $3,583.98 for a four-night stay at the Omni Hotel in Dallas – $900 per night.

This single trip cost taxpayers over $3,500 in accommodations for the mayor alone, not including two senior staff who accompanied him, conference fees, their accommodation and airfare for all of them. In total the one trip cost us $18,713.46.

Under Bill Steinberg’s 16-year administration, council policy permitted one conference per year, within Canada, with typical hotel costs ranging from $150 to $250 per night.

 
Our Commitment to You: Bill and his team will reinstate reasonable travel and lodging policies, ensuring taxpayer money is used responsibly, never lavishly. 

Council-Approved Trips Outside Canada

Official council resolutions, available publicly on the Town of Hampstead website under Council Meetings → Minutes Columnconfirm that not one of the conferences authorized by the current council took place in Canada. For convenience, I have linked each date below to the corresponding minutes.

DateConferenceLocationAttendees
June 8, 2022APWA ConferenceCharlotte, NCMayor Levi + Staff
Sept. 6, 2022Smart City ExpoBarcelona, SpainCouncillor Goldwax + Staff
Oct. 6, 2022Muni ExpoTel Aviv, IsraelCouncillor Elfassy
Mar. 8, 2023GFOA ConferencePortland, ORCouncillor Jack Edery
June 5, 2023Smart City ExpoBarcelona, SpainCouncillor Goldwax + Staff
July 5, 2023Smart Mobility SummitTel Aviv, IsraelCouncillors Elfassy & Farber
July 5, 2023NRPA ConferenceDallas, TXMayor Levi + Staff

Not one resolution authorized attendance at a Canadian conference.

 

Our Commitment to You: Bill and his team will bring back strict travel limits of one conference per year, within Canada only, and only when it directly benefits the town.

Internet Reimbursements During Personal Cruises

Expense records show that Councillor Michael Goldwax received reimbursement for internet use on two European vacation cruises:

  • $1,033.08 for internet access on one cruise

  • $644.39 for internet on another
    Total: $1,677.47

Both expenses were approved and reimbursed by the Town of Hampstead. Every resolution related to conferences and expense reimbursements was passed unanimously by the current council.

Our Commitment to You: Bill and his team will enforce strict expense policies to ensure public funds are used solely for legitimate municipal purposes and never for personal benefit.

A Commitment to Ethical Oversight

The unchecked spending at your expense must end. This election gives residents the opportunity to restore the ethical standards that once made Hampstead a model of good governance.

Bill Steinberg and his team, Imagine Hampstead, will implement clear, enforceable guidelines governing all council expenses: travel, meals, lodging, and reimbursements. They will ensure every dollar spent by Town Council is justified, transparent, and in the public interest. 

Together, we can return to an administration that takes Action with Integrity.

Vote for Bill Steinberg, and his team, on November 2nd to bring
honesty, responsibility, and integrity back to Hampstead.