Here We Go Again - September 2, 2005

Council has reached the halfway mark of its mandate, but those of us expecting to enjoy a new era of responsible municipal governance are suffering from arena shock, Schwartz shock, higher tax shock, coupled with Councilor squabbling shock.

Taxpayers are over a quarter of a billion dollars in debt. Am I making an error in the amount of debt? No. Municipal debt is now close to $180 million but no one on council is willing to break the sad news to taxpayers that they are on the hook for at least another $100 million accumulated by Enwin utilities. ( Financial accounts for the separate units in Enwin have not been published Those of Maxess in particular are of paramount importance) This situation emphasizes an escalating lack of transparency when dealing with important decisions that affect all the citizens of Windsor. Information is being deliberately withheld. A return behind those newly oiled closed doors.

The Candarel scandal continues without a real solution in sight. Who permitted the folly on Ouellette to shrink from the agreed twenty-three to fourteen storeys without a significant price reduction? The answer to this question is being held behind closed doors.

The new but unnecessary Social Services Building is still not completed and the final cost has yet to be revealed. What is known is that there will be a $3 million over-run and yet no report is forthcoming. Again, all details are jealously guarded behind closed doors.

As long as there is one second class road or non-performing sewer left in this city there cannot be any justification to announce upfront that $15 million is available for a money-losing arena, just to appease a vociferous minority. The Raceway has declared that it won’t be investing any cash and Jebb has not yet disclosed its financial status. Gretzky dollars will not be forthcoming. The Spitfires owner will substantially increase the value of his franchise, yet his name and voice are notable for their absence. Are we facing yet another Candarel type fiasco? I believe we are, because the initial exclusivity arrangement with the Raceway and Jebb was a decision taken behind closed doors.

The continuing support of a totally unnecessary bus station close to the Art Gallery and a proposed upscale development is ridiculous. Yet another unnecessary investment of $6 million tax dollars, in a mainly commercial project. It is a folly that highlights a politically based opposition to fiscal responsibility. It also flies in the face of the council backed Schwartz Report calling for an integrated transport center at the airport. It is time to re-open public discussion before yet another bad decision is made behind closed doors.

Certain council members have served taxpayers well, as the unsavoury inheritance from the previous administration continues to plague us. Mayor Francis, Councillors Cassivy, Brister, Gignac, Halberstadt and Valentinis deserve our thanks. Those members of council who have made a decision to practice party politics and further their personal political ambitions should review their priorities.

Taxpayers pay for transparent and representative governance. One sure thing is that they are being comprehensively short changed.

Al Nelman