History Revisited

Tuesday's  agenda included a  previous report to the last council recommending a lease of property to Queen's York  Rangers.

It was  requested by Councillor Abel but  called for discussion  by Councillor Gallo. 

The Councillor drew attention to a table of figures which tallied, over the period of the lease, to revenue of several million dollars.

His comments were accepted  by the Chair.

I noted the same  page  described the  property as "a liability"

" It wasn't true "  I said. 

Mayor Dawe object to the "criticism"

Councillor Gaertner noted the building had been empty when it was leased to the federal government.

 The Councillor  is fond of challenging  this council's  integrity. Lack of transparency is often 

suggested. 

The hydro  property was occupied by the parks department . They were evicted to make way for Queen's York Rangers. 

Office space was used  for archive storage.

The yard was used to store architectural salvage.

The building was occupied. . A space consultant retained  by the town recommended it be  kept for municipal   use. 

It was not too small for parks purpose. 

The Councillor's statements on Tuesday were mis- informing...dis-informing..mis-representing, mis -leading, lacking in integrity,without transparency and a big fat lie. 

Further to that , municipal  purchasing regulations were ignored.

Contracts must be advertised . Bids invited.

The lease to Queen's York Rangers failed to observe due process  that assures the community of fairness ,equity and transparency. 

No other party had  opportunity to compete .

The Rangers received preferential treatment. 

Best interest of the municipality was not seen to be accomplished. 

Public works  needed more space. 

Development charges  included a fraction of  current estimate of $26.9 million .

4.5 acres was more than adequate for parks function .

Behind the scenes , without transparency ,the property  was finagled into the hands of Queen's York Rangers  in exactly the fashion Church Street School was spirited  away from the  rightful purpose of  a Town museum.

For purely political advantage. 

In 2010, these issues, among others,  were high on the public's list of concerns. 

In  April  2014, witness Aurora's Own Operation Brazen attempt  to re-write history a-la Gaertner and Gallo, assisted by Mayor Dawe in his anxiety to curry favor in the same quarters.