Posted from the Daily Graphic July 2 2008

Re: The lease agreement between the Portage Industrial Exhibition Association and the City and Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie.

I have been asking the city office for a copy of the above-noted lease agreement.

As a result of my request, I have a letter from the city, dated May 7, stating the lease agreement “is still in negotiations at this time and is not available.” As a result of my follow-up letter, I received a letter from the city, dated June 24, stating the lease agreement “is not complete and is currently being drafted.”

I would like to know how the multiplex committee (including the city and RM) are able to “tender” for the construction of a multi-million dollar building on land not secured by an EXECUTED, BINDING lease agreement. Should not the site of the building be secured by a signed, sealed and binding document before any steps towards construction are taken?

N.V. Kerman

Portage la Prairie