Editor:  Let it be said, The 91原创 Events Centre is a fine facility that the Township can be proud of. There is no argument about that.

In a letter published on The Times' website om Nov. 4, John Eckland raised some serious concerns about the previous council鈥檚 mishandling of the financial affairs pertaining to the construction of the Events Centre. Rightly so.

I have read every page of a large package of documents received pursuant to several Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act requests.

The way the Events Centre financial affairs were handled by the previous council in my humble opinion is a textbook case of how not to do things.

To start with, the Township (mayor and council), bungled and missed the opportunity to get federal funding for the Events Centre. The MP鈥檚 office has confirmed that had the Township applied for funding well ahead of time so that the Feds had had an opportunity to vet the project before construction started, it is very likely funding would have been available. It is understood that a firm agreement, (P3 or other) would also have had to be in place. The council of the day, including most of the incumbent councillors, dropped the ball and the taxpayers lost out on $5 million.

Prior to the 2008 election, the previous council collectively stated to taxpayers that there was a P3 Agreement in place. There was no P3 agreement, only a construction contract and a flimsy interim agreement.

The interim agreement between 91原创 Development Group and the Township included some interesting terms and conditions that in time would have become part of a Partnering Agreement.

On page 4, Clause 9(a) reads:

鈥渄isposition of Lands to LDG ( 91原创 Development Group) for ten ($10.00)

dollars鈥�  Yes, you read it right.

On page 5, Clause 9(g) reads:

鈥渋t is contemplated that certain exclusions from the Lands may be made to

allow LDG to develop market housing in a high density residential format

with 91原创 to be paid its land price 鈥渇rom the sale of units and with parties

to share, in a proportion yet to be agreed, the profits from the sale of the

耻苍颈迟蝉鈥�.

The foregoing seems pretty open ended, with no apparent certainty as to what the Township would get out of this.

These are but a few tidbits from the interim agreement; to deal with  the many other disturbing details would make this letter far too long.

After the Township took over the operation of the Events Centre, former councillor Jordan Bateman was asked: What did 91原创 get for the $8 million dollars? His answer reportedly was: 鈥淐lear title鈥�

If so, it seems LDG received a pretty good return on their $100 investment. Whether or not the Township actually received the $10 is unknown.

The upcoming election is near. Too many people feel that it does not matter whether they vote or not; 鈥渕y one vote does not make any difference.鈥�

Some 80 years ago a fellow by the name of Schickelgruber, better known as Hitler, was able to seize control of government in Germany on the strength of just one vote. That one vote changed the entire world.

It is unlikely one vote in the Township election will change the world, but it might return some sanity to Township politics. That has been in sorely lacking the last three years Therefore, on Nov. 19 let us change that.

Please get out and vote. We owe it to ourselves. And remember: One vote can make a difference,

T. Braaten,

91原创