To the editor:
According to Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board Report No. 2008-10 of May 1, 2008, the annual lease payment for rental space in the Whalen Buiding for this agency was $461,410 per annum which was payable to the City of Thunder Bay.
Once the office space is vacated by the Board to their new $13.5 million facility on Brodie and Arthur Streets, these annual rental monies are lost to the City of Thunder Bay.
Once the office space is vacated by the Board to their new $13.5 million facility on Brodie and Arthur Streets, these annual rental monies are lost to the City of Thunder Bay.
On August 16, 2011, TBT News carried a report that, “Next year, when the DSSAB moves out, there will be a loss of revenue where renewal dollars will be coming from the tax side,” Broere said Monday night, after city council gave the go ahead for a $719,028 contract to complete a portion of $3 million in emergency repairs slated for 2011 and 2012.
Hopefully this lost lease rental revenue to the City of Thunder Bay will be offset by the grant in lieu of taxation that could be realized from the new DSSAB facility. I do not profess to possess the financial wizardy, societial and political insight of Coun. Iain Angus, but in my opinion this entire project exemplifes his desire to spend public funds needlessly and frivolously.
For every year that the rental area previously occupied by DSSAB in the Whalen Buidling, add $461,410 it to the $13,500,000 for the new facility, plus any associated costs as new furnishings and equipment, plus the demolition of the Uptowner Inn and construction of a new parking lot.
It is heart warming to know that DSSAB bureaucrats will have patio space atop to look down upon the socially disadvantaged. But the blame for this example of government disrespect for the taxpayer should not rest solely on the shoulders on Iain Angus, but also as Liberal MPP Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan) and his govenment's bureaucrats in the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Their approval was required to proceed with this new construction.
The $13.5-million-plus question is how will this facility improve the needs, programmes and services of those disadvantaged? Could of not channelling these funds to building affordable housing or improving programmes and services for these individuals?
Consider such an approach, the Whalen Building retains a tenant, no loss of lease revenue to the City, more social housing and programmes, which to would result in additional grant in lieu of taxation for the city.
That in my opinion would be a win win situation for this community
Emil Pohler,
Thunder Bay
