LVEC Bidding Process Mired in Slush - I.M. Pertinent

[keoadmin]

Fascinating to see the Whig call for an open and transparent selection of LVEC bidders on the editorial page then proceed to taint the process by slamming one of four potential operating companies in a news article:

“Nustadia was involved in a failed partnership with the City of Guelph to operate that southwestern Ontario city’s new arena and entertainment centre. The deal disintegrated this summer when Nustadia could not make loan payments. The city was left with more than $20 million in debt.”

That may be so, but what about the track record of the other bidders? The Ottawa Senators organization, for example, is certainly no stranger to financial problems, yet that piece of information was noticeably absent from the Whig’s report. And where is the rest of this story? Was it entirely Nustadia’s fault that the deal fell through or did the city play a role in the demise of this arena deal?

Obviously, since they operate other facilities in Canada and the US (according to the Whig) Nustadia isn’t a total failure. Yet who in Kingston is going to give this company a fair hearing when the Whig has suggested publicly that Nustadia took advantage of another municipality?

Worse, the source of this information – also hinted at in The Heritage – appears to be Don Gedge, the city bureaucrat in charge of the selection process. What was Mr. Gedge thinking offering up such information to the media in the middle of what is supposed to be a competitive bid process?

If there was ever an argument against transparency, this is it.

[Lydia]

Recently, I got an e-mail with the following information about March 15, 2006 Kingston's Whig article regarding the LVEC.

This e-mail says exactly WHY THE LVEC SHOULD NOT BE BUILT.

Councillor Smith’s comment in this morning’s Whig Standard is just another sign that there is something terribly wrong with this council. To say that good water and sewers and that type of facilities is important but it is not what makes your town great is proof that he his much more than out of touch with reality. Mr. Smith obviously was not affected by the major sewer backup that cost homeowners thousands of dollars a piece to have cleaned up. Then again, maybe I am looking at this wrong. Maybe we should let the LVEC be built. It would make another excellent overflow tank for backed up sewers lines. The entire LVEC process has smelled like it from the beginning anyway! In any case, your statement offends me and the many others that stand with me. This is our City. The reserve fund is our money, the money to build the LVEC is our money and your salaries are our money. Leave “our: Reserve Fund alone and start making decisions on behalf of the people of Kingston, for the betterment of all the people of Kingston, and not just for the LVEC group in council and the business community behind you who will stop at nothing and stoop as low as needed to see this building constructed.



Mr. Smith, your comment is clearly a statement that you do not care about the infrastructure of Kingston or you would not agree with stealing the funds that have been put aside for that purpose to build the LVEC, which will only add to the problem we have now. I know you and other members of Council are educated individuals, work hard and probably mean well, but sometimes you just do the wrong things. Since our last election…a lot of wrong things! The public has been shut out almost completely. We will however, not be shut out any longer.



Like it or not, this councils blatant disregard for the MAJORITY of Kingston residents is disgusting. Trying to keep the public out of City Hall has made us believe that there is something to hide. Actually we know you do! It is going to be a rocky road from now on. So please tighten your seatbelts and keep your hands inside the car!



The City is looking forward to becoming the home for the TV series Hockeyville. I think it would have a better chance of getting on with Bloops and Blunders! Of course if we were playing the gong show you would be gonged and gone.



Make no mistake, our new organization is growing and is not out to make friends with anyone. We are not a group supporting and other group or organization. We are just disgusted with the politics in our City. You continue to increase the burden on taxpayers without remorse. This fiasco of a project we so lovingly know as the LVEC is now a community revolt. Peacefully, but very loudly, we will be heard from and we too will do everything we can to keep this council from wasting any more money and this obviously troubled facility.



STOP THE INSANITY THAT HAS SURROUNDED THIS ISSUE FROM DAY ONE!

[Exhibitionist]

It truely amazes me when one can flip flop through the LVEC discussion forum - for the project 2 months ago -
to totally against it now.

LOOK AT THE GRAND THEATRE - WHAT A DISASTER!

(IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN RENOVATED TO THE TUNE OF $ 15 MILLION) - WHAT A WAIST OF TAX PAYERS MONIES!!!

I appreciate the concern regarding sewers, water treatment plants etc.

But, please pay attention! - those latter issues are being addressed.

It takes time to undo the mistakes of a throw away society over night!

In fact I think this LVEC "site issue" and change to the North Block site is a big mistake. BIG mistake.

I know the Anglan Bay site was / and is the better site of the two.

The City's (Majors task force ) did get it right.

It was the nieve, to much time on their hand, wealthy condo owners, small taxation groups and frickin
retired traffic copes - who "really screwed this up."

The Anglan Bay site was the best site design for hockey, smaller trade shows, concerts, winter fairs, and events, but more importantly "conferences" for Queens, RMC and outside the city associations. (for downtown)

The North Block cannot accommodate such conferences. (30% smaller) Parking is even more limited and the sight lines are worse!

BUT AT THE SAME FRIKIN COST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT going KCAL and citizens against the site at Anglan bay!

Smart move having us now PAY (the same) for a Toyota rather than the Mercedes!

Ya - these are the people I want to run the city finances! YIKES!!!!!

Fact:

The hotels are bursting here, non profits are struggling to find places to fundraise, outside groups are being turned away form Kingston. You have no idea the loss in tourism and "long term money" in conference space.

You also must keep in mind these are LONG term commitments.

These facilities MUST be built multipurpose.

The public has spoken to what 7 projects they want. (UNFORTUNATELY - KCAL AND OTHERS ARE WRONG)

The few armchair ego maniacs that change their minds as it suits them - they can ALL go jump in the river.

You cannot for a moment convince me - well run facilities - over 30 years have not benefitted a community.

And really - as I have tried to explain 37 million is nothing in terms of over 30 years. Look what KEDCO costs us?

It is really telling that people do not get this. All they focus on is the 1% tax increases over 30 years.

Well; I tell you I appreciate the concern but its a mistake to think this facility is such a black hole.

And that there is a conspiracy. No - there is a process.

The folks that changed the Anglan Bay site to North Block - are MORONS! They are the ones that blew it. $$$$

Great finacial responsibe people eh? They just think in terms of what they want to hear themselves say. They no little about the LVEC nor its correct location. Anglan Bay!


City:


One - problem I see is them raiding the coffers for 3 million - in the City.

That is the only thing in this process is iffy...but I also think the North Block Site was VERY wrong

- and like KCAL, Downes, Lydia etc. Changed the site for very poor reasons. And should be blamed for the failure!

Unless we get some commitment of grants - I would just delay the facility until both Kingston gets nailed again with job losses (which it will) or when some of the water treatment facility bills get paid back.

Its not necessarily the best financial time for citizens to swallow so much (past infastructure projects) especially when you North Americans have had it so good for to long.

But, please please Lydai - stop saying you folks were "always against the LVEC - from day 1."

There is lots of proof to substantiate the opposite.

But, YOU blew it. - from changing the location and spending extra moneys to do so!

Thanks for the great fiscal responsibility. (Please remind me NOT to get my taxes done on your watch.)

Thanks for blowing the best success of a facility (Anglan Bay) too. Your business savy is ridiculous!

You are to blame if OUR taxes rise! NOT THE CITY!