Richard Butts, the top bureaucrat at Halifax City Hall, previously worked for the city of Toronto. When Halifax council hired him in March, it was widely hoped that his outsider perspective and big city professionalism would help cut through the traditional old boy network that so corrupts local politics, but just six months later Butts has proven that he’s more than willing to play by the old rules.
At issue the proposed stadium for Halifax. Earlier this year, council paid a consultant $93,000 to produce “Phase 1” stadium study, which basically interviewed a bunch of people who had already said they wanted a stadium and concluded that, yep, they still want a stadium. In August, council decided to follow up that study by putting out a tender for a consultant to conduct a “Phase 2” study, estimated to cost $275,000, which would find a location for a stadium and suggest how it would be paid for.
The August 9 council vote was premised on the idea that the province would provide significant funding for a new stadium. but the very next day, August 10, premier Darrell Dexter said there was no chance that the province would provide funding. So at the next council meeting, August 16, councillor Reg Rankin gave notice that we would put forward a “motion of rescission” at the next meeting, that is, after council’s three-week vacation, or this past Tuesday, September 13. If passed, Rankin’s motion would overturn the vote of August 9, meaning the Phase 2 study would not move forward.
But even though Rankin’s motion has been public knowledge for three weeks, and a vote was scheduled Tuesday, on Monday Butts awarded the contract on Monday, effectively pulling the rug out from under Rankin’s motion. Butts only had the power to award the contract because council was on vacation; normally, council itself would have to approve the contract. As of press time, city staff doesn’t know which firm was awarded the contract.
Clearly, there were behind-the-scenes politicking going on, recalling the city’s old boy network we’ve all grown to hate. Councillor Tim Outhit called it an “absolute farce,” and when other councillors questioned Butts directly, mayor Peter Kelly intervened, denying them the right to question staff.
This article appears in Sep 8-14, 2011.
And you’re surprised how? Commmmmon election! The only reason he was hired was because he’ll toe the line. It’s sickening how common this is in municipalities of all sizes.
It is only money, Tim, and if we keep repeating that our blood pressure should subside and we can unclench our fists and uncurl our toes and wait for the next political scandal to take place, which should be in about 8 seconds.
Another slanderous article by Tim Bousquet.
The vote to proceed with the phase 2 study was 16-6 in favour and was not “premised on the idea that the province would provide significant funding”. Even in this short article you managed to contradict yourself. This following statement that you made is more truthful – “Phase 2” study, estimated to cost $275,000, which would find a location for a stadium and suggest how it would be paid for.”
The tender went about 2 weeks ago. The fact that it was awarded on September 12th just indicates that CAO Richard Butts was doing his job in an expeditious period of time. This is what most people should hope for from the CAO of the municipality.
The motion put forward by Reg Rankin to rescind the August 9th motion for the phase 2 study was defeated by a vote of 16-3. A few weeks ago, the Council also voted overwhelmingly to support the bid as host city for the 2015 FIFA Women’s Cup. The only Councillors outraged by CAO Richards Butts expeditious performance of his duty were the 3 Councillors voting against.
Even this statement that you made is false – “but the very next day, August 10, premier Darrell Dexter said there was no chance that the province would provide funding.” Premier Dexter was later recorded on a CTV video clip as saying that he supports a stadium but would have to see the business case (you have to keep up to date, Tim). Federal Minister Peter MacKay has also stated his support and in fact, the federal government has provided millions of dollars of funding towards the Moncton Stadium.
Whatever actually happened, Tim is right, this is how it appears to many folks.
The appearance of conflict of interest and corruption is bad because it undermines belief, respect and trust in the offices and the officeholders.
Looks good on all ya all..I have been telling and yelling about how corrupt HRM is since meeting with Peter Kelly in 2003…..that fool-aid y’all be sipping on must be delish
Everything I’ve read about Butts, tells me all he is a Political Bully…..it’s his way or the highway….and those that take his side are just to week to stand on their own two feet
Well you people can thank Dick Butts for the continuation of the bus strike. Why? Well its like this; Its all about the money. The longer the transit system is not running, the more the city can put towards it’s deficit. He did the same thing in TO with the sanitation and other outside workers. Every day the transit workers are on the picket line, the city is saving lots of money.
They knew the strike was going to happen, they counted on it. The city made no attempt to avert it. Why else would the city hire a conciliator after one day of negotiations? That is a highly unusual move. Yesterday morning the GM of transit was about to sign off on a deal on a agreement but Butts put a stop to it..