Wasaga Entertainment Corporation.

(Beach was left out by the planners on purpose- it was a choice.)

So many things to talk about, so I guess there will be no shortage of content in the coming months.

For today, I want to start a discussion about our Mayors obnoxious plan to form an Entertainment Corporation. All kinds of people have written to me asking to include certain points in this discussion. It may take a couple of days.

I officially learned today that the Town is monitoring this group at the highest level. (You were all right) So, let the town know how you feel right here. There are so many points that just make this the most brazen abuse of municipal power in years.

So far during this term, it has become clear that many citizens are upset at the fact that our Council has allowed the Town Payroll and General spending to spiral out of control. Our Council knows how we feel.

So, what does our council do to address this? Well they decide to create a corporation, funded by municipal funds ($500,000.00 plus set-up and legal fees from reserves) and THAT corporation will pay four current staff who get seconded to the corporation. Then they will backfill the four positions at Town Hall.

#favoursforfeiends ?

Side note…. They claim these staff are not costing us (tax payers) anything because the corporation is being funded with casino funds. But they are only “casino funds” until they are handed over, then they are called “town funds”. This will eventually be known as the council with the tricky wording.

I wonder if one of our CAO’s will become the President of the corporation? Hey… If the leader of this corporation makes in excess of $100,000.00 will that earn a spot on the Sunshine list, or are municipal entertainment corporations exempt?

I watched the meeting where they passed the motion to create this party planning division. Councilor White couldn’t be bothered to be there. A vacation in Aruba took priority. Councilor Dileo was the only one who spoke against it. She was scolded (indirectly) by the Mayor who repeated his pattern of saying “Im hearing it’s not the right time” (echoing Councilor Dileo’s Objection) then he proceeded to argue why she was wrong. Council members should be allowed to express an opinion and vote their own mind without being debated or demeaned by the mayor who wants everyone to praise him. I’m happy to share, she voted against the motion. Finally someone standing up to do what’s right. It will cost her if she makes a habit of it.

But back to finance. Remember I said they are using our reserves for set-up costs? They never added a limit to this. They never specified what “set-up” means. So, people are wondering… will this mean application fees and legal costs? Or will it include new computers, new desks, some expensive chairs, a new photo copier, maybe a couple of fancy wrapped vehicles??????

We know it will definitely include swag. The last 4 cheque registers show they are good at that. Here is the sad reality though. If there is spending at Town Hall, it shows up on the publicized cheque register. I suspect the spending patterns of the new Party Corporation will be confidential. That’s right… none of your business.

Who will be the governing body over this corporation? How and how often will they report to Council? What office space will they work out of? I think it was the second last Council Meeting where we learned the CAO and Plannning were moving, so maybe the party corporation will lease the second floor of Town Hall? Maybe they will occupy free space somewhere or possibly a leased building from a numbered corporation. Who knows?

What other financial considerations do you all have questions about? Let’s talk about it here.

I’m glad they feel the need to build these power point presentations. They make them so pretty it causes most Councilors to just say “Wow, it looks good to me”. Not one asked serious questions. Perhaps they have discussed it enough outside of council that public questions were not necessary.

Tomorrow, we will look at some of their incredible claims that justified this decision. today, let’s talk money.

Andrew, I would like to see a COMPLETE and accurate summary of the opening week celebration. I do not believe the claim of aprox 100,000 profit is accurate. Feel free to share the accurate report here.