At the Old Town Hall last night I had resolutions on the table to direct legal services to review tax status of two publicly owned properties. One tax exempt. The other not.
The town is paying regional and educational taxes on the Soccer Dome.
No taxes are payable on the soccer field at the south end of town though there is a club house on the property with a liquor license that caters to receptions and business lunches and welcomes the public.
Both resolutions failed.
It seemed Councillors were apprehensive of offending the men's soccer club by drawing attention to their affairs. Councillor Gallo revealed himself to be a member of the club. I assume paid up, and said he did not know of any of the activities mentioned in the resolution.
I daresay I could find the ad in the Auroran ago advertised business men's lunches at the club.
I'm sure could track down the lighted sign on the road allowance at the time of the South African World Soccer Tournament . The public were invited to come in and enjoy the brew and amazing television..
I could probably dig up a witness to the election victory party of the former Mayor.
I could remind people of the fleet of school buses parked on the property for years, in contravention of the lease.
None of these things were done in secret.
But none of it is the issue.
Two publicly- owned properties similarly used, one tax exempt .the other not is.the contradiction.
The former Mayor was in the Council chamber last night.With a tape recorder. It's thought, to listen to debate on the Code of Conduct.
That's another story.
The confluence of events served to remind me of another night in the past.
I had brought attention to the sign on the road allowance inviting the public into the men's soccer club house to enjoy the amenities.
Six or eight soccer club members came to the Council Chambers.
and ranged themselves in the top row of spectator seats directly opposite myself.
With folded arms and grim countenances they glared at me in unison as if daring me to speak.
In my mind's eye I see great.hulking bruisers, in black and dark green striped jerseys, bare knees streaked with dirt, jammed together at the shoulders determined to look fearsome.
The former Mayor always managed to find people willing to do the dirty work of her bidding
Naturally I crawled into my shell.
Meek and mild , I told them. I said:
"It's not right for you to take business away from people who are paying taxes and mortgages or rent and creating jobs and struggling to stay afloat and sponsoring your junior teams while you pay no rent or mortgage or taxes or meet a payroll and compete with them for town business.
It's not fair. I should not have to tell you that "
Nothing terrible happened.
They went away, some telling others. "She's right, you know"
Of course I was right.
Somebody had to speak up for people in the food business.
They can't do it themselves.
Business depends on good will.
.
Who voted with you in support of the resolutions?
ReplyDeleteMorris was in attendance at Newmarket's council meeting the night before, too.
ReplyDelete3:21 PM
ReplyDeleteShe was going to write or have a detective agency. The Banner appears to have some new writers. Perhaps management heard Aurorans grousing about the lack of local coverage? There is no way they can compete with the Auroran but it will be interesting to see what they have planned. That was a large contract to have lost through sheer stupidity and laziness.
Be careful out there. Some of the recent comments appear to be less than friendly.
ReplyDeleteOh yes that is true as physical contact against bloggers has begun.They do it to seek a reaction and then cry out.Kind of like the player in hockey who retaliates and gets the two minutes of shame in the box.Bullying at its finest.
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