Councillors have just received a table of taxes paid, since 2006 to the Region and the Board of Education by the town for the soccer dome situated on town property.
In total, $431,595.21 .
I have submitted a notice of motion for the agenda for Tuesday night. I am requesting Council direct the town's legal department review the circumstances and advise on the merits of a challenge .
The Soccer Dome was erected in a public/private partnership on public property. The town has shared access to the dome and complete use of the facility for at least a third of the year.
A contract was signed that the Dome operator would not be responsible for taxes on the understanding there would be no realty taxes. Considering the property is public.
Public agencies do not pay taxes to public agencies.
Go transit acquired prime real estate and built a parking structure
and do not pay taxes.
The Aurora Men's Soccer Club at the south end of town built a club house facility on property owned by the town and leased to them for one dollar a year.
They have a liquor licence. They cater receptions,business men's lunches, and political victory parties.
The property is exempt from taxes.
Recreation facilities in town accommodate snack bars and skate sharpening facilities , all commercial operations
The buildings are exempt from taxation.
The library has a snack bar operating commercially in the building. The building is exempt from taxation.
I believe a challenge is warranted.
I believe it was warranted six years ago.
We won't get back the half million already paid out.
At the very least,an internal argument going on for six years will be settled.
And at best, we will stop forking over taxes to the Region and the Board of Education they are not entitled to have.
The amount flowing unimpeded from our town treasury over the last six years , for no obvious advantage, frankly makes me shiver.
A new figure of $340,000 was mentioned in the news last night for provincial cancellation of the gas- fired hydro generation plants, complete with pictures of abandoned construction sites.
My God, add that to the waste and diversion going on in regions and municipalities around the province, and ask yourself;
Who is minding the shop?
Rob Ford is trying. And they're crucifying him .
While your attentions have been focused elsewhere, this boondoggle has been draining the Town coffers. While all the bitching and moaning was going on about the Cultural Centre, I was wondering why no one was looking at the bubble's operations.
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