Mayor Henry D'Angela says he doesn't want his family to feel they cannot participate in city initiatives since the results of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council's Canada Day colouring contest were made public.

After his daughter won the contest, D'Angela said his family feels they are going to be scrutinized whenever they participate in city functions.

"Is my family going to be penalized every time something happens? My family doesn't want to participate in anything because of this," he said.

The mayor's daughter was chosen as the winner of a city colouring contest organized by the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council last week. He said that he had no part in choosing the winner and his daughter won fairly.

His son was among the other children whose artwork was chosen to adorn an invitation to the mayor's Canada Day picnic being sent out to neighbouring municipalities.

Calls to Erika Baker, the chair of the MYAC, were not returned by deadline.

D'Angela said the MYAC was not aware it was his daughter who won the contest until he told them it was her entry that they chose as first place.

D'Angela's daughter was also the winner of a folding bicycle at an event hosted by the Welland Canal Parkway Thorold Task Group last fall. The contest involved children answering questions about historical and natural features along the trail based on clues they were given. More than 50 residents participated in that event.

The mayor said he doesn't think the city needs a rule against city workers and their family members to win city contests or to participate in city initiatives.

"I think it just takes common sense," he said.

He used the upcoming best decorated bike contest during the Mayor's Canada Day Picnic as an example.

D'Angela said since he is judging the contest, he knows his children won't be participating.

A couple of city council members, however, think the city needs to have rules in place. Coun. Nancy Rogers said there should be a policy that restricts city employees and their family members from winning contests.

"With any sort of contest when you are putting a ballot through as an employee or family member, I cannot participate," she said.

Rogers was referring to her job at the Bank of Montreal, where workers and their family members are not allowed to participate in company contests.

"As a councillor we act as paid employees for the city and we should not be allowed to win contests nor should our family members," she said. "The optics are not good at all."

Coun. Mike Charron agreed with Rogers.

"I think, like every other company, there should be a disclaimer saying any councillor or family members cannot win," he said.

Charron pointed out the Tim Hortons roll-up-the-rim contest as an example.

"If you work at Tim Hortons, you cannot win and your family cannot win," he said.

D'Angela, however, is not without his supporters.

Several Thorold residents who spoke with Niagara This Week agree that his daughter's talent is worthy of the win.

"She deserves to win," said Cindy Mercier, a Thorold resident. "Good for her for having talent. As long as the mayor's not judging it's fine."

Misty Jack, a former Thorold resident who recently moved to Niagara Falls, agreed.

"She's a good artist. She won fairly," said Jack.

"I don't see the big deal, it's just a silly colouring contest," said another Thorold resident, Mat Reid. "I don't think it really matters as long as the mayor isn't judging the contest."

Rob Smith, a Thorold resident, said he felt differently.

He said that it's not right for the mayor's daughter to win a city contest.

"If it's public money going toward the contest then the results should have been different," said Smith.

All of the entries from the colouring contest will be on display at the Mayor's Canada Day Picnic, Tuesday, July 1, in the Battle of Beaverdam's Park.

There will be a "Support Our Troops" banner for the public to sign as well. The next day, the banner as well as all of the entries will be boxed up and shipped to Canadian troops stationed in Afghanistan.