From the Portage Daily Graphic
Local rate payer satisfied with the courts decision to delay the PCU multiplex
What follows is a letter from a local ratepayer who is satisfied with the courts decision to delay the PCU multiplex and is dissatisfied about how the council has handle itself in this case:
“I am a ratepayer in the RM of Portage and pleased with the outcome of the court case. This has been a project (the municipal share) which was on the verge of being pushed through with little or no regard for input, consultation or approval of ratepayers. This is not a rural versus city issue.
It is time to get passed the “closed door” attitude by council and make this an open book to provide transparency to ratepayers. I would say in the rural areas there is a 90 to 95 percent rejection of the project.
Why? Because of the way the RM Council has proceeded with blinders on to dismiss any input from ratepayers and a closed ear to any questions raised, which were mistakenly interpreted by the Reeve to be negative. All ratepayers, residents and non-resident ratepayers of the municipality were looking for was information on the total cost and to be included in the final decision by the way of a municipal wide vote. This is the only way to obtain true measure, whether pro or con, to see if the council should continue or not. Council is not an autocracy.
No one can go to the banks or other lending institutions to try and borrow money for a project that you have no idea of the size, or scope, or future costs to maintain, or ultimately have to replace. So why would one assume you can borrow $8 million dollars from the ratepayers of the RM of Portage. Gentlemen, ratepayers pay the tax bill, we are the bank
In conclusion, the day to day operations of the Municipality are guided by the council with a reasonable standard of competence and fairness. It is difficult to keep everyone happy and it is a thankless job at times. But in the case of the PCU project contribution dealing in millions of dollars and long term debt to the ratepayers, this has been bungled since day one. If you were going to do this at all, do it right and do it right the first time.
This is my opinion.
J.R. McGowan.”
To see the actually story and other local reactions, please check Monday’s edition of The Daily Graphic. If you have any comments you would like to submit for consideration, Please e-mail them to pjames@cpheraldleader.com