Staying up to 3:11 a.m. is never recommended, especially to watch a Thunder Bay city council meeting to see our city council recklessly spend tax dollars.
The Chamber of Commerce said put on the brakes, Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission said put on the brakes, a youth group located in a marginalized neighborhood of the city debunked council's assertions that it's only the 35+ crowd asking to apply the brakes in one of the most eloquent, well thought out letters to the media. Worst of all, even the people that they put on the sunshine list that work in city administration said put on the brakes.
But Mayor Bill Mauro flexed his muscle and his political will, supported by his "party whip" councillor Oliver, and committed a minimum of 42.3 million into the Chapples swamp of Northwood.
All this during a Pandemic that has yet to fully reveal its financial impacts and social impacts going forward.
All this despite a three hour budget discussion where administration warned we are looking at a potential six per cent tax increase and as city manager Norm Gale said, we are at a breaking point.
Reckless, irresponsible management. Lack of due diligence. Lack of community consultation outside of the echo chamber.
And you know what the worst thing is? In 2022, the voting public will be mad at the councillors but they'll have their favourite pet and enough will have a different favourite pet that 11 of 13 will get re-elected.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
The apathy and lack of engagement is the Thunder Bay tax payers' worst enemy.
Lex MacArthur,
Thunder Bay
