Brian Masse's Gift

It is quite amazing when one looks at an issue from the perspective of another person. New vistas all of a sudden appear! I think I may have an answer to the question I posed yesterday on my BLOG on the Brighton Beach deal, "Shafting Federal And City Taxpayers At Brighton Beach:"

• "There just has to be more!"

Read on to find out what "more" may mean.

Perhaps we should call Brian Masse the "Brave Little Tailor." You remember the story of the tailor who killed 7 flies with one blow but people though he meant giants.

Well Brian, along with his buddy Joe Comartin, have the chance to knock off three politicians: a Mayor, a Federal Minister and an MP with one blow over Brighton Beach. Three with one blow is not too shabby considering our Mayor might want to run for the Conservatives against Brian. All Brian and Joe have to do is read on.

Chris Schnurr's BLOG was a real eye-opener.
http://chrisschnurr.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/stimulating-brighton-beach-and-phantom-emails/

It helped explain the reasons behind the shafting of federal and Windsor taxpayers in the Brighton Beach deal that I Blogged about the other day and now requires our Federal NDP MPs to demand action.

Brian and Joe Comartin had already written to Transport Minister Baird in May complaining about the infrastructure funding process in Windsor.

Brian said as well in the Star:

• "[Masse] cited controversy around Windsor’s canal proposal touted by Mayor Eddie Francis as an example.
  
  “This process leads to a potential for corruption or projects that are not the best value for public interest,” Masse said.
  
  “It also creates debacles like the city just went through.
  
  “There has to be some public vetting and proper process for all projects..."

However, they did not go far enough.

Schnurr's BLOG makes it clear:

• "Thank goodness for the sale of the Brighton Beach land to the Federal Government.
  
  Otherwise, the city may not have been able to afford its $44-million contribution towards the $424.2-million spending spree which both the Province and the Federal Government contributed a total of $89-million."

It is worse than I imagined. Never mind the obscene overpayment of taxpayer money to Windsor, it is what the money is to be used for that is of concern. The Mayor lets us know what it includes:

• "council has directed $13 million to pay the outstanding costs of the properties. Those funds will be directed internally to a handful of capital reserve funds that were used to finance the Brighton Beach acquisitions...
  
  The remaining $15 million is being directed for use toward the city’s five-year capital plan which includes about $646 million in municipal projects."

As Schurr points out, the City's Capital Stimulus Plan shows a deficiency of $10.6M this year.

How remarkable. We just received $15M Brighton Beach money FROM the Feds that would go to the amount that the City has to pay as part of its contribution to get Infrastructure money FROM the Feds and Province. In other words, without the federal overpayment, Windsor might not have been able to obtain all of the Senior Level Infrastructure money.

So it was NOT what Eddie said in the London Free Press:

• "In Windsor, though, Francis says his council was prudent and wise, too.
  
  While his city plans to spend about one-third more on public works over two years than will be done in larger London, Francis says not a penny will be borrowed.
  
  To do anything less wouldn't be right in a city where jobless rates have led the nation for several years, Francis said.
  
  "We've been knocked down to the ground," he said.
  
  So how can Windsor afford to do much more than London without borrowing a dime?
  
  Francis says his city in the past five years has accomplished what seems an insurmountable task: Eliminate borrowing for public works while doubling what's spent on those works, all while keeping tax increases among the lowest in Ontario.
  
  "That's unheard of among municipalities," he said.

Now we know why it is "unheard of."

Consider this if you like conspiracy theories. Take a look at my BLOG March 12, 2009, "Giddy But Engaged" when I mentioned that the Star had NOT reported about a Francis/Baird meeting and where I quoted:

• "Never too shy in the past to publicly criticize senior governments over perceived slights when it came to funding, Francis is almost giddy over the prospect of Windsor getting a fair share of the multibillion-dollar municipal stimulus package the federal Tories announced in their latest budget..."

And this

• "Francis praised the involvement of Baird and Essex MP Jeff Watson in focusing attention on the plight of Windsor, struggling with the implosion of the automotive sector and decimation of its manufacturing base.
  
  “They’re engaged down here and there’s a desire to see things get done down here,” said Francis.”

Remember also in the "Your arrogance has no bounds" Star story on May 3 that

• "Coun. Alan Halberstadt flew into a rage after discovering the project, twice rejected for inclusion on the list by council majorities at earlier meetings this week, was back on the agenda, this time with a team of outside consultants invited by the mayor to present the business and feasibility plans. The Ward 3 councillor was incensed to learn Essex MP Jeff Watson, also at the meeting, and federal bureaucrats in Ottawa, received copies six weeks ago of a feasibility report that city council is still waiting to see.
  
  “Your arrogance knows no bounds,” Halberstadt shouted at Francis, his fist repeatedly slamming the table. “This is no way to run a city — I’m tired of this crap,” he added."

Hmmm 6 weeks before....wasn't that around the time when Barid was in Amherstburg and it was said in the last paragraph naturally of the Star story

• "February 28, 2009
  'Green' arena project gets $15.7M
  
  Essex MP Jeff Watson, who donned a white construction hat, said he was ready to put a shovel in the ground and get working.
  
  Federal Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities John Baird said the project was moving ahead because the community put together a great 700-page proposal...
  
  Baird also said he planned to meet Friday with Mayor Eddie Francis to discuss Windsor's needs."

"Windsor's needs." What an interesting choice of language don't you think.

Was the Baird/Francis/Watson deal made months ago? Did the Feds know the City's fimancial position well in advance at the earlier time-period? Was the canal project merely a front to get Federal money and then when that blew up, the over-payment for Brighton Beach took its place under the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund? That's where

• "At least $400 million from this fund will be devoted to the construction of an access road for the new Windsor-Detroit crossing—the busiest border point for Canada-United States trade."

No mention made initially about funding a plaza!

As I Blogged on July 21, 2009 Why Eddie Really Wants A Canal:

• "There is no doubt that the Senior Level Leaders would try to appease him. They would use the canal funding as the perfect reason for him to trust their bona fides. No matter that it appears that the canal has no hope of falling under the program, the Feds are bending over backwards to make it fit. Moreover, the Province has to support it as well.
  
  Of course, Eddie does not want a canal. Who does? But it sure is a good place to park $50M until Eddie decides how to squander it."

Brian, along with Joe, have no alternative but to raise this mattter in Question Period when Parliament resumes its sitting. There are legitimate questions that need answers. More importantly, they have no choice but to write to the Auditor General and ask that the Infrastructure Funding Issue in Windsor be examined along with the payment of Windsor of $34M to ensure compliance with all Government rules and procedures.

If the Report is negative, then Brian especially, and Joe win! Baird, Watson and Francis have blackeyes. Even if nothing improper is found, they both win too. They are at least being vigilant, keeping their eyes open to protect Windsor and Canadian taxpayers.

That should be good for their re-elections next time! Now that's a nice present.