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A City Out of Control
Over 220 Million in interest due to the handling of the leases for the City of Windsor
Well, well, well! The Candarell pigeons have come home to roost in their loft, right there in City Hall. However, the constant stream of half-truths, finger pointing and obfuscation continue unabated. If this was the only instance of a disaster resulting from unmandated activity, it is still sufficient grounds for taxpayers to remove this City Council, with two or three exemptions, from office. It is now perfectly obvious that the word PRIORITY has been removed from our elected representatives’ vocabulary. Millions of tax dollars are being dissipated daily, but, unfortunately, taxpayers derive nothing of value from the mis-use of their funds. It is certain that the figure of 15 million dollars as the cost of the Norwich Block expropriation is just another City Hall pipe dream. It was confirmed at the Council meeting on the 12thAugust, that in an attempt to mitigate the true cost of expropriation, our Councilors agreed to hire a legal firm out of Toronto, to oppose taxpayers who suffered the nightmare of having their lives comprehensively disrupted. The fee charged by that out of town law firm, is $50,000 a week, during the course of any hearings before the OMB. These tax dollars not only leave the City, but also could be part of a homegrown settlement. The question has to be asked. Is this an attempt to intimidate those looking for compensation, after 3years of waiting? The implication being, either settle quietly, or look at the kind of opposition you will be facing at an OMB hearing. This is a continuing pattern of disrespect for taxpayers. If a true spirit of understanding had been in evidence, then certainly, most of the claims for compensation would have been settled long ago, and the true cost of expropriation would be available. The sad truth is, that, despite the unacceptable expropriation cost overruns our elected representatives have not learned any lessons from the Candarell fiasco. They are poised to undertake, not one, but two, multi-million dollar, taxpayer funded, risky, commercial projects. As far as is known, the city has not signed a building contract for either the Arena or the Office Tower. Any tax dollars that are available should be directed to basic services and infrastructure. In an in your face determination to continue with the Arena, our fiscally challenged City Council has suggested that a series of taxpayer’s assets should be sold to cover the cost of their continuing lunacy. The idea is preposterous! What will happen is for several money losers to be replaced by one new entity, which will lose even more tax dollars. Yes, sell those non-producing assets to the private sector. That will insure that they actually contribute to the public purse, by way of regular tax income. Income to be spent on basics. Members of City Council are duty bound to listen to the rising voices of angry taxpayers. Both the Arena and the Office Tower projects must be abandoned immediately. A leadership vacuum coupled with weak individual members of council has thrust this City into a deep financial crisis.
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