The Road To Perdition

The new draft  agreement with the Culture Centre Board was received by Council last night.  Work has  proceeded  since February when a motion to give notice of termination was sabotaged by Mayor Dawe and Councillors Thompson and Humphryes.
The agreement will be back on the table on January 13th for approval. 
Councillors will  presumably consult with constituents and  by an affirmative vote  in January  will  signify community support  for the cockamamie scheme once and for all. 
I think that's the plan.
It's not  a done deal yet
I  raised a new factor   last night. I asked how much programmable space there is in Church Street School.
Above ground ,there's 11,680 square feet of building on two floors  A wide centre staircase with  landings  back and front and balcony on both sides takes probably thirty per cent out of useable space. 
About 8,000 square feet of  space  is available for programs. for programs. 
Three million dollars of capital were invested  to provide the space. 
Fiscal efficiency requires  recovery of  capital  to support  the principle of self-sufficiency.
Cost of the money I am told , would  have been  between $90 and $133,000 a year depending upon  how the money was  borrowed.
Rent therefore should be  calculated on that basis.
The lease  calls for rent of $1,00  a year. 
The town pays for all maintenence.  $150,000. worth of free service.  
Culture is purchased from the board. for   $347,000  a year. 
Do the math. The town is handing over almist $600,000  
Total cost to  taxpayers is in the area of  $600,000 a year.
The  Seniors Centre is 14,000 square feet of programmable space.Three times as much as the school.
There are two staff  members. Plus maintenance.
Cost to the taxpayers is $270,000 a year. 
Three times as much program space for less than  half the cost.
The  draft agreement is full of sound and furysignifying greater control over Church Street School by the town'd Director of Lisure Services.
No such thing.
Constitution of the board as an arm's length, autonomous,
independent entity from the town, has not changed.
Two Councillors appointed to an  autonomous, independent Board l does not limit  board authority. 
The board will be strengthened by having  two Councillors on their team. 
Council will be reduced commensurately with  two less  votes on board related matters. 
Pecuniary interest will  compel  Council/board members  to declare a conflict.
The new  proposed agreement is only  slightly changed from  the last. The board is required to submit a budget to Council  for  annual approval for  purchase of culture.
Improvement is minimal and meaningless.
The community is not one  whit better served by the proposed agreement.
So when  you meet a Councillor, over the holidays,  and the subject is raised, ask  why  spending twice as much  money,for half as much  programming  at Church Street School   as  happens  at the Seniors Centre, makes any sense. 
Councillor Ballard is horrified by cost  to taxpayers of the Senior's Centre. At the same time, he is in wholehearted  support  of  handing over twice as much  for half as much to the Culture Centre Board . 
Ask for  an explanation of  why they think that makes sense.
Then you tell me. 
Then we can all wallow in  foolishness together. 
Ask how long it's supposed to take to stop a  gravy train from hurtling to perdition.  
BTW The Seniors Club has 1371 members.