Peel Plaza – Police HQ Going Ahead – Priorities Left Behind
After much public outrage over the costs of Peel Plaza, last week Council voted to go forward with the Police HQ component of Peel Plaza:
In one of the most contentious decisions of its mandate, common council voted Wednesday night to build a $20.6-million police station in the city centre.
After a two-hour debate in the council chamber, eight of the 11 politicians approved what will become a legacy project for the group of civic leaders.
Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase, Coun. Bill Farren and Coun. Patty Higgins were the only dissenters around the council table who argued the city could not afford the project, the most controversial component of Peel Plaza.
The threat of a property tax rate increase now looms over the municipality as city staff’s funding projections call for council to rein in spending or hike the rate.
Not that I am surprised that it was pushed through, given the quality of council; but, I am proud of the following three Councillors for standing up for taxpayers and voting against this deal:
| Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase
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Councillor Bill Farren
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Councillor Patti Higgins
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You have earned my support (along with many others) for your stand!
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