The decision is pending

Tuesday was  rough.As the day wore on  anxiety grew. Iknew the   only argument against the  intent to commit $11 million of the Hydro Reserve Fund as  a gift to York University would be mine.

I did not anticipate success but it had  to be done.

I am frankly appalled.

First  there was  Heritage Fantasy Park, as brazen a real estate scam  as ever seen in Aurora or anywhere else I know .

Millions to be siphoned straight from the Hydro Reserve  into the pockets of  private property owners using the Office of Mayor to give the scheme credibility. 

Next came  zooming out of  nowhere a proposal to compete in a bidding war  with the building industry for   designated land  with sevice allocation providing desperately needed tax -earning capacity even as taxes  have increased each and every year of this term. 

The  proposal was  the land to be used  instead for a community park......the distaff side of  public corporation business. 

Between these two proposals came litigation to compel a developer to sell 6 acres to the municipality at a fraction of value to prevent its development. 

Even more  tax  earning capacity set aside  for no other  purpose than political consideration. 

If litigation is successful, it means an expenditure of millions for property  not required for any municipal purpose plus the cost of  litigation.

The area is properly  serviced with parks. The developer has provided  as required by law. and  paid  development charges for their development .

All  of this  in an election year , plus the latest bid to divest ourselves of  $11 million  from a fund created by sale of an asset in a previous term. 

The municipality owns seventy-five percent of a   mid-town block .

A fine modern library occupies a corner. Church Street School represents millions of dollar of investment intended to honor  the solid  practical values of the people who settled this place.
and provided a tradition for us to build upon. 

Old , inadequate buildings  in the square have awaited a municipal decision on disposition
for ten years and more.

Study after study has been completed. Engineering reports submitted. 

The buildings have no future.  

The land is under-utilized. 

Opportunity lies with the Hydro  reserve, for a vibrant core to be exactly where it  needs to  be and has always been 

To  do what a hundred miles of patterned concrete, fancy benches  and  blanket heritage designation on tired old properties will not.  It  would  draw people from every part of the town to a hive of activity in the centre. 

In the last Provincial Dalton McGuinty  recklessly mis-spent   $1,1 billion dollars   on the eve to save two  Liberal seats .

The Honorable Kathleen Wynn  is likely to be required to endure the penalty.

A price  is always paid for under-estimating public understanding 

Over- reaching the power of elected office is never sound strategy. 

Managing a public corporation like a private enterprise is definitely no-no.