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March 12, 2004 Say It Isn't So There can be no doubt that under the leadership of Mayor Francis that our representation in city hall has undergone a full 180-degree turnaround. With the inclusion of all councilors in every facet of taxpayers business, it has been refreshing to listen to thoughtful discussion of items brought before council. However, the new situation does not mean that the need for public vigilance has been eliminated. An old saying clearly sums up some of the latest decisions by city council. “The more things change the more they stay the same”. This covers $65,000 to fund the Buskers, the continued funding of a failing Art Gallery and murmurings in connection with funds for both the University of Windsor and a fiscally destroyed International Freedom Festival. It is clearly understood that a plank of Mayor Francis’s campaign was to bring resolution to the perennial question of a new downtown arena. However, the announcement that the mayor and council have decided to borrow $15 million as an additional contribution to the yet to be designed, so-called, “multi-use” complex downtown is troubling. To rub salt in the wound the decision was taken at a meeting that was not open to the public. How clearly this decision highlights the lack of business acumen of those misguided members of council who supported this foolishness. Even if the decision was correct in substance, to tip off one’s hand in advance of negotiations is a perfect example of “How not to do business 101”. In addition, the return to behind closed-door meetings is, to say the least, reprehensible. Where is the public debate? This action begs the question as to whether a deal has already been consummated in the back rooms? Have those infamous closed doors been refurbished? The talk of a “multi-use” facility is an exercise in pure sophistry. This decision to go ahead with this project under the guise of multi-use is another example of the power of the special interest groups. In this case the designation as multi-use is just a cover up for the real purpose behind this scheme. A NEW ARENA! This project caters to a vociferous minority and gives an unwise priority to downtown over the rest of the city. Before another tax dollar is spent on this project, it must be subjected to a vigorous public debate. The real cost is being glossed over and, in fact, carefully hidden from the taxpayers who have paid and will continue paying the bills. Consider the following: Cost of original expropriated land $10,000,000 Total $37,500,000 (The costs of necessary future infrastructure changes are not included) The real need for downtown is a synergistic adjunct to the casino. This can best be served with the construction of a state of the art convention center, which would bring thousands of out of town conventioneers, both Canadian and American into this city. The area of expropriated property is obviously not large enough to do justice to both an arena and a convention center. Without public input, the decision to increase our present debt level by $15 million is a betrayal of the taxpayers who placed their trust in this new council. Councillors Brister and Zuk are to be commended for opposing the proposal. It is difficult to comprehend that the Mayor and supporting councilors do not appear to recognize the enormity of the debt load facing the taxpayers of this city. The bottom line is that we do not have one discretionary tax dollar to spend on non-essentials. An arena is certainly not essential. As elected representatives, your most important task is to ensure that taxpayers receive basic services efficiently and economically. You are also required to reduce debt and taxes. We waited far too long to insist on change before the last election, so this piece of advice is respectfully offered. Resist special interest groups and only give priority to your basic mandate. Time and money are not on our side. Al Nelman
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