Last week was an interesting time for journalism and politics in Hamilton.

A leaked tape of a private conversation between Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Hamilton Spectator columnist Andrew Dreschel was released to Hamilton Community News.

During this conversation, Mayor Eisenberger agrees to go "off the record" when asked by Mr. Dreschel to discuss background information regarding a personnel matter involving former city planning and development manager Lee Anne Coveyduck.

Last week, the mayor's office found out that Hamilton Community News reporter Kevin Werner was looking into this matter and may be writing a story.

In order to stem the potential fallout from clearly violating the code of conduct for councillors, Mr. Eisenberger held a proactive press conference where he admitted and apologized for his error and threw himself at the mercy of his fellow councillors.

At the same time, he initiated a police investigation into how this conversation was leaked to the media, claiming it had been stolen.

One day after the mayor's press conference, Stoney Creek councillor Brad Clark admitted he sent the MP3 file of the conversation to our newspapers.

I have known Mr. Clark for almost a decade, and I have grown to respect his long-standing pursuit of integrity in politics. Whether it was when he was fighting the Taro landfill in Stoney Creek or when he served as MPP and cabinet minister, Mr. Clark has been consistent when it comes to the issue of integrity and transparency.

Some are claiming he may have had more nefarious motives for leaking the file to our newspapers. Those who are attacking him are simply drawing attention away from the real issue in this whole sad soap opera - the ill-advised "off the record" conversation with the Hamilton Spectator columnist.

Since becoming mayor in a surprise election result two years ago, Mr. Eisenberger has attempted to champion bringing ethics and integrity back to Hamilton council. His establishment of an integrity commissioner position for Hamilton is a huge step in the right direction.

This is a major task. Council past and present has been filled with self-centred ego maniacs who constantly pander to media for attention, and routinely leak information that is supposed to stay "in camera."

Whether we like it or not, some council business must be held "in camera" and kept secret. Often it may involve personnel or legal matters, where frank discussion must take place. Many argue any city business is public domain. However, regardless of your opinion on this matter, the Municipal Act permits "in camera" meetings provided they are held for appropriate and legislated reasons.

The mayor clearly broke this rule in having a discussion about Ms. Coveyduck with the columnist.

A reporter's job is to gather information for public dissemination. I have never been a fan of "off the record" conversations. When I have been asked, I refuse to engage in that type of conversation. Often, by denying someone the protection of "off the record" conversations, they will spill the beans anyway. And if they don't give it up, it's probably better left untold.

My philosophy on this matter is simple - we only have one brain. Our brain stores information into compartments. The last time I checked, there was no specific part of the brain reserved for "off the record" conversations. So it is my belief that eventually, "off the record" info eventually melds with "on the record" to become one.

Was the mayor trying to curry favour with the Spectator columnist by allowing a discussion to go "off the record"?

This is the same mayor who admonished his own council for leaking info to the media. Why would the mayor tape the conversation? Was he trying to make sure that if the media ever quoted him wrong, he could haul out his tape recorder? Did the mayor tell the Spectator columnist he was taping their discussion? I've always made it a policy to let someone know if I am taping a conversation.

During his tenure, the mayor has allowed many of his councillors to walk away unscathed from clear violations of the city's code of conduct.

I specifically refer to councillor Bernie Morelli, who threatened a city employee over a taxi inspection and walked away without a scratch on his body.

Was Mr. Clark's supposed transgression worse?

I don't think so, yet it has been played out that way by members of the media, which is ironic considering many of these same media members and politicians thrive on "off the record" information.

The only person holding the bag in this incident of the leaked conversation is Mayor Fred Eisenberger. Leadership is about setting examples. For two years, the mayor has failed to provide the type of leadership this community so desperately needs.

Maybe he is fighting a battle no politician can ever win. He has two more years to change my mind. But when the media and politicians jump in bed together, we will never move forward.