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Mayoral candidate demands answers on Pinewood Drive, Memorial Gardens

Greg Gray says he wants answers to questions about the costs involved in the Pinewood Park sewer extension and Memorial Gardens renovations. And he claims, under the Elections Act, the city has to cough them up.

Greg Gray says he wants answers to questions about the costs involved in the Pinewood Park sewer extension and Memorial Gardens renovations.

And he claims, under the Elections Act, the city has to cough them up.

"It's not a well-known fact, but as a candidate for mayor, I'm entitled to information on how the city runs---the financials, the books, how things operate and how projects have gone.

"I've made a request to Jerry Knox (Chief Administrative Officer) at City Hall to get information on MX Constructors (Pinewood Park project), and specifically the cheques to the company.

"I'm here to find out how much it cost, and stop telling us 'We don't know'".

Gray says the city has agreed to give him the information "in a timely manner", which Gray takes to mean in about a week.

He says he made the verbal request first, but was asked to put everything in writing.

But he may be disappointed.

Knox tells BayToday that it's public information that any candidate is entitled to.

"It's information that is already public. Anything in-camera (closed door) is still confidential.

Knox says candidates won't get the same information as current councillors, because incumbents are still acting as councillors.

"We're not withholding anything. Only what, in our opinion,is confidential, he explained"

Gray also wants access to the financial statements concerning the renovations to Memorial Gardens which is now 4 1/2 million dollars over its original $12m budget.

"The gentleman who owns the Battalion (Scott Abbott) is a very nice man and very well-off. Why didn't we sell him the Gardens for a buck and let him put his money into it?

"Maybe we'd have a seven thousand seat arena now."

And Gray told BayToday that as mayor, he would have a plan for any projects over two million dollars.

"I'm going to talk with the people about it and get their opinion. Is this how you want us to do it?

"Did we want five million dollars in extra paving,and find out there is no extra money for Cassellholme?"

 


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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