Y Not

The Provincial Liberal Government, conveniently, just before this fall's provincial election, have pledged $16 million for the proposed YMCA-Laurier athletic complex. This complex is supposed to be built on the now vacant south side of Colborne St. Now I realize that, as I grow older, my memory isn't what it used to be, but I just don't recall either the Y or Laurier actually obtaining ownership of this land.

And weren't we promised, that when these 40 building were destroyed, there was going to be public input to what would go in their place? I just don't recall this taking place either. And because Laurier doesn't pay civic taxes and the Y board, now run from Hamilton, has already applied for property tax exempt status, not only is the almost $200,000 in taxes that these buildings once generated now lost, it will never be replaced, making the downtown one of the costliest areas with very little in the way of taxes being generated.

Also with both Laurier and the Y being controlled by out of town boards, it leaves the City vulnerable to extortion pressures such as those recently seen from Mohawk College( i.e. gives us lots of money or we will go back home).

Flying Low

The current city council has decided to once again postpone paving the runways at the Brantford Municipal Airport, causing the cancellation of the annual United Way air show, for not just this year, but next year as well and possibly for good. The highlight of the show, the Snowbirds are in great demand and will have no problem filling this open date. The show was not only an excellent kick-off to the United Way but was also enjoyed by a large segment of the population of Brantford and was a great tourist draw.

I'm never in favour of recklessly spending taxpayers' money, but for these benefits and the fact that one either is committed to having an airport and maintaining it, or just abandon it altogether. The cost of this repaving could have been covered by two years worth of the lost taxes from the now destroyed south side of Colborne St. Too bad the airport wasn't located downtown or deemed vital to Laurier. The repaving would have been completed before now.

The Southside Slope

Covered in brown, burnt, expensive sod. So much nicer than the trees and flower gardens that were there previously.