What Was The Deal?

That was quite the flurry of comments about the  hydro building lease.  Councillor Ballard's involvement with  Queen's York Rangers  was unexpected.

The understanding the building had been sitting empty and idle for four years was also a surprise. Especially since it certainly was not.

The building has been in use ever  since Powerstream left.

There was reference to all the revenue coming in.

Rent  started in February. Council was informed about the lease out of the blue, in September/October.

Town money has been spent on the building since.  No authorisation was sought from Council .How could that happen? Where did the money come from? How much has been spent? What secret stash exists that doesn't need Council approval?

Why do you  want to see the lease,someone asks. So that you can skew the facts, she answers.

That's an interesting observation. If the deal is as  fantastic as the former Mayor proclaimed it to be,  how could it be twisted to reflect something else?

If  it is a public document, and I contend it is, how can it be misrepresented?

Why do I need to be a real estate lawyer or a forensic auditor to understand a landlord/ tenant lease? What can be so complicated?  What it is that needs to be kept secret?

Yes indeed. An interesting reaction.  One might even say  panic in some quarters.

Why would our erstwhile open and transparent administration consider it appropriate  to sign away a lease on a property of considerable value either as a sale, or for  town use, to another government  institution which  requires details of the deal to be kept secret from the  public owners of a public  property?

Does anybody else notice a powerful aroma?