Two weeks ago I criticized mayoral candidate Mike Savage for his continued support for the proposed convention centre, and for what appears to be an unwillingness to challenge provincial crown corporation Trade Centre Limited—an issue that will come front and centre in city politics when auditor general Larry Munroe issues his report on TCL’s improper and unauthorized lifting of the city-owned Metro Box Office.
I then asked other candidates what they thought.
“The growth of our core will depend on a world class facility and an ability to host,” responded Fred Connors, demonstrating no understanding of convention centre financing beyond the mindless bumper sticker sloganeering we’ve come to expect from convention centre proponents. To be fair, I did ask via Twitter, and Connors did go on to at least question the Box Office arrangement: “Box office accounts should be unmingled,” he wrote. “How TCL manages the MC box office is very confusing.”
Other mayoral candidates are either non-committal—”I have not taken a position [on the convention centre] as yet but can say I am skeptical at this point,” wrote Vince Hall—or unresponsive; I can find no stated positions on the convention centre from candidates David Boyd or Matt Worona. But it’s way past time for being “skeptical” about the convention centre—anyone who seriously wants to head our city government long ago should have been intimately aware of the details, and should have taken a position one way or the other.
The exception is candidate Tom Martin, who wrote two thoughtful essays explaining his positions, and posted them on his web site, ask4more.ca. “Ticket Atlantic (Metro Centre Box Office) should be the responsibility of the Metro Centre, and I have not read or heard anything to convince me otherwise,” he writes.
On the convention centre, Martin doesn’t oppose it outright, but concludes that since there are so many uncertainties, and since there has never been any true public consultation regarding the convention centre, the project should not go ahead until there is a “plebiscite or a referendum” showing broad public support for it.
Martin’s right, and the convention centre should be the central issue in the mayoral race, for two reasons. First, there are reports that developer Joe Ramia is about to announce he’s found tenants for the “financial centre” part of the larger project, and so convention centre construction is imminent.
But recall that just a three-month delay in getting a commitment for federal government funding resulted in Ramia’s cost for the convention centre rising $4.4 million, which the feds assumed. Since then, 11 more months have passed; surely, normal inflation in the over-heated construction industry have increased costs for the convention centre something like $10 million more. Ramia’s not in this for charitable reasons—I have little doubt he’ll soon be knocking on government doors, possibly city hall’s doors, asking for still more money. Before we vote for them, our mayoral candidates should tell us how they’d react to that request.
Second, and more to the point, existing financing arrangements for the convention centre, without an increase for Ramia, are a horrible deal for the city. The figures presented as fact by TCL and convention centre *supporters*—the dubious, best-case scenario, which anticipates a wildly successful convention centre, triggering a booming downtown—shows that the city’s portion of the $383.9 million convention centre costs will be $6.65 million a year for 25 years; in return, the city will receive back an increase of just $3 million annually in increased property taxes from throughout the downtown core. And no, I’m not leaving anything out: the very best the city will do financially is lose $90 million. That’s $90 million that could otherwise be spent on parks or buses or garbage collection.
The bigger worry is that despite the mindless boosterism and sloganeering about Halifax being “different” than all the other cities with failed convention centres, we in fact are building a white elephant. If so, the financing arrangement for the new convention centre has the city eating fully half of all the losses, with no limit (the province will assume the other half). This could, quite literally, bankrupt the city.
The convention centre is too big an issue for mayoral candidates not to address head on.
This article appears in Jul 5-11, 2012.
I wish I could say I was surprised by the combination of blind support and political tap-dancing from most of our mayoral candidates on this issue. I’m just glad to see we’ve got at least one candidate giving it the thought it deserves.
This centre is for sure a deal breaker for HRM. It deserves careful fiscal consideration and only Martin seems to be doing that. If there cannot be some demonstrated and verifiable positive cash flow to the city for this project then it comes down to public will to decide. Educate the public and then let them decide.
I’m getting sick of Savage’s mindless “sloganeering” as Tim calls it. He hasn’t given any serious thought to any city issues whatsoever. He says whats easy to say, and he’s hoping to ride his name recognition into the Mayor’s office. I hope Tom Martin or another candidate can step forward and win, because if Savage gets in, I’m moving away.
I couldnt of said it better Tim. This is exactly what ive been saying all along. If you dont have the confidence in your ability to address things that are affecting our city and the citizens of HRM right NOW just months before the election. How exactly are we supposed to have confidence in your ability to be the mayor of Halifax in a few months. Tom Martin is once again the only candidate confident enough to step up to any and all questions….as the mayor of this city should..
As a tax payer I can’t believe that we are on the hook for so much money for so long, especially with our crazy economy! Whatever happened to win/win for both sides? This is an opportunity for the Mayoral candidates to really impress us with their stance on this very important issue! Tom Martin expresses his idea’s for workable and sustainable solutions that will benefit us all. Residents and developers must work together and Tom’s leadership abilities make him perfect for the job!
I am in full support of having a plebiscite or a referendum. Honestly, with the looming reality of that much deficit as a result, I don’t see any other way to continue without the public’s input (no matter what the outcome). First and foremost, Mr. Martin is correct, we need to educate the public!
It will be interesting to see if any of the candidates, other than Tom Martin, have anything of substance to say on the matter.
I’d love to see development on the two vacant blocks but not the costly convention centre–a contractors’ dream, a citizen’s nightmare.
If I was mayor of this simcity, I would make the upper (former Midtown Tavern) block mid-rise mixed commercial/residential (ground floor retail, underground parking etc.) and turn the lower (former Herald site) block into a park to increase foot traffic and draw people back downtown again, benefiting all in the area, including tax revenues.
so who do we vote for no matter what we have no say, we just have to flip the bill
Vote for the right guy and you will have your say.
I say Tom Martin will be the one. Just read the replies he gives on his web site. Ask4more.ca
Yeah, great ideas from Tom Martin….except, they aren’t really Martin’s ideas, are they? At least Fred and Mike speak ideas true to themselves (however backwards they may be), not Martin though. He won’t write a comment to the public without consulting those with more experience and expertise then he has (which is zero, btw. The man knows nothing about politics…remember Fougere’s campaign in 2008? it failed miserably because Martin didn’t understand the politics of this city or how to lead a team of willing supporters) and then takes those ideas as his own. I worry, what happens if he is elected (not that I hold much hope for that), where will his cronies be then? No doubt on to their next advisory roles and that leaves HRM with a man who is in over his head and unable to make decisions. Sure, deciding when to take a shot or not during a hostage negotiation is cool and all…but, that’s it really. Go back to the force if you’re that good, politics is a different game.
I sincerely hope another candidate joins the foray, cause with the goof troop we have running for office right now it appears to be a sad state of affairs for the next 4 years in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
In case you did not know, the best leaders in history surrounded themselves with smart people, and then had the ability to analyze their recommendations to find the best solution.
That my friend is the sign of a true leader.
Yep, aware of that. Yet also aware that a true leader can stand on his own two feet and produce sound ideas and evidenced research without relying on a bigger brain. All I’m saying is if these are the only candidates we have to choose from, it’s a sorry state of affairs for our municipality.
HRM is a $700 million a year operation, and will likely be a billion dollar one in 10 years time. $3 of $4 million a year is chump change, an accounting error, and to my mind a worthwhile cost to have that bombed-out crater in the heart of downtown developed into something that will attract visitors. Tim is, as usual, congenitially opposed to anything being developed in this town that will benefit the economy, so his blatherings on this subject can be dismissed. As for the idea of a park, surely to god you jest. Two blocks away you have the Citadel, and less than a block away you have the Grand Parade.
I do agree, however, that none of the current crop of mayoral candidates is anything to get excited about.
You heard it here first, from Luke H: it’s better for community leaders to make uninformed and foolish decisions all by themselves than to listen to any advisers whatsoever. Learning is a sign of political weakness. Good to know.
No consulting? Lack of Leadership? Hmmmm, on the contrary, Tom Martin has lengthy articles on his web site regarding some major issues, including a VERY reasonable and logical approach to the issue of the Convention Centre. Other articles contain great detail and contain statistics. He meets regularly with people in various organizations who have their fingers on the pulse of HRM issues – always gathering information, ideas and opinions. As far as good leadership, I agree with Colin. A good leader surrounds himself with the right people. A good leader is always moving forward by learning and stretching him/herself. How can you put yourself out in front of the pack if you don’t know where you’re going or how to get there? Learning/growing is a given for anyone who plans on doing a great job at it – and that’s Tom!
At this point I’m fully expecting Tim to start hunger-striking in the Argyle pit.
@thezete, of course YOU are going to say that….being Martin’s campaign director and all. Mr Fox, in the political realm, a little transparency goes a long way. Maybe you could find someone to consult on how to do your job.
look folks, before the rest of martin’s team jumps in on the defense, all I am saying is this, with the state HRM is in right now, we need an overhaul at city hall and we need a more than just a strong leader. We need someone who understands the fiscal responsibilities of the city who can go in there and not waste time LEARNING what he/she doesn’t know yet about such a position. I don’t think anyone currently running in the election is fit for the job but I am inclined to say Savage has a clue going in and thus an edge and maybe, just maybe he could turn HRM around for the better. But truth be told, I don’t think he can, considering his political track rec hasn’t been the greatest. Hairdresser Fred can’t do it, the kid can’t do it, and a chicken raising cop can’t do it, no more than I could. This election is a joke.
@Luke H.
A well thought out reply. I presume that we will see you enter the race soon?
I’m in the military, if i threw my hat in too all would be left to do is have the candidates lip sync to village people. I”m not about to add further embarrassment to our city, I couldn’t do any better as mayor then the candidates currently running. Our city doesn’t need ego maniacs who don’t know what they are doing, that won’t fix anything.
By the way, Mr. Fox….why hasn’t Mr. Martin been talking to us military folks anyway? you know how big a population us and our families make up in HRM? I don’t want to tell you how to do your job or nothing but…..I see he’s down to the HFX Club on the regular, can’t be as many of them as there are of us. OH WAIT, they have deeper pockets, nm, i get it.
I prefer to sit back and heckle anyway.
OK Luke. Tell me where and when you would like to have him come and speak and I’ll have him there. Ball is on your court.
Heckeling is an accepted form of monologue as long as it is constructive and not insulting.
You have questions? Go ahead and ask them.
It’s getting all soap-opera-ish in here now – I’m just waiting for Luke to reveal dramatically that he is actually Peter Kelly’s long-lost son.
…except Luke isn’t Peter Kelly’s long-lost son any more than he’s a guy named “Luke” or actually in the military. He/she’s a troll who created his/her account just the other day solely to attack one particular candidate in this article. I’m just curious how far he/she is willing to take it.
I’ll have the popcorn ready over here, if anyone wants any.
I couldn’t agree more with having this decided by plebiscite or referendum. In fact, there could be a lot more of that happening at all levels… Perhaps people are politically moribund “these days” because people have been so disconnected from what passes for democracy in these parts…
mouthy – good post. We should vote on the pay and benefits for council members. The Mayor of Toronto makes $168,000, in HRM the Mayor makes $145,000
Hello, hello hello Luke are you there. I would like to kindly invite you to one of our meetings so you could meet the fine group of intelligent people that Tom Martin has surround himself with. As the saying goes “birds of feathers flock together”. That being said, should say it all. From what I have read from your notes, I think you would be a great asset to our group. After all a group of great minds make great decisions. GB
The dream of convention visitors emptying their wallets on meals, lodging, and entertainment, helping to rejuvenate our ailing downtown doesn’t stand up to the scrutiny of the 2012 economy. So we get an arms race in convention centres funded by the public dollar. Mr. Ramia get’s his aim — increased heights for his hotel and office towers in downtown Halifax. Another example of Dexter’s socialism for the rich.