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North Bay businessman says Costco should have been in North Bay six years ago

'Guess where it was intended to be? The intended positioning for Costco was going to be in the West Ferris area. Wouldn’t that be a touchdown?' said North Bay businessman John Cutsey

North Bay businessman John Cutsey, told the media that a local entrepreneur is prepared to pursue bringing a Costco to North Bay after his efforts were allegedly “quashed” by the mayor’s office six years ago.

“He said to me ‘John, if Gary Gardiner is voted in as the mayor of the City of North Bay, the very next day, I am going to Toronto to arrange a meeting with Costco,’” said Cutsey.

“A local businessman had a contract signed, which we can provide at a later time, six years ago. In this person’s excitement, he brought the contract to the existing mayor’s office and it was quashed,” said Cutsey.

“He said the reason that was given, was that we want to protect the local businesses or retailers in our community. Well, I want to tell you something. That is counter growth. That is counterproductive. It makes no sense. Guess where it was intended to be? The intended positioning for Costco was going to be in the West Ferris area. Wouldn’t that be a touchdown?”

Cutsey, who has publicly come out in favour of supporting mayoral candidate Gary Gardiner, told the media at his offices on Airport Road, that the businessman he was quoting, wishes to remain anonymous.

“I haven’t received direction from this person when I can divulge his name.”

The mystery man who was invited to speak at the news conference Thursday morning, informed Cutsey the night before, that he would not be attending.

“Why he didn’t want to come, why he had second thoughts, he has a business in North Bay. He didn’t want to expose himself to potential negative activity in his existing business.”

He agrees that even if Gardiner were to become mayor, there is no guarantee that Costco would come to North Bay.

“You’re absolutely right. I cannot say that.”

He was asked why the businessman didn’t approach council, or someone else at city hall over the past six years to pursue his project.

“He didn’t say afterwards that ‘I going to go to city council then’ which maybe he should have, however, he should have been advised to do that. This is such a hot topic that maybe it should be brought to the council meeting for a vote. But that was an omission, and that is why it was never brought to council.”

As is policy, any business can come to North Bay. They do not need the mayor, council or staff’s support, as long as the property is zoned property.

If rezoning is required, the business must go before council to make a rezoning application which is a public process.