Ron Schinners writes to Mayor Debbie and Council

SooToday.com has received the following copy of a letter Ron Schinners says he delivered to the City Clerk's office on February 13, 2012.

Schinners is a former Sault Ste. Marie mayoral candidate.

On February 6, 2012, mayor and council endorsed a resolution that would see KPMG complete a market assessment and feasibility study for the development of a deep water harbour.

Council confirmed its $50,000 contribution.

The city allocated $250,000 to save the Huron Central Railway.

Taking the $50,000 for the market assessment and feasibility study for a deep water harbour from funds that were allocated to save the railroad is wrong.

The $250,000 was raised for a special purpose and that was to save the railway and cannot be used for the harbour study.

City council is in clear violation of the Municipal Act Part XIII DEBT AND INVESTMENT Section 424:

(1) Liability of members for diversion of funds - If council applies any money raised for a special purpose (in this case the Huron Central Railroad) or collected for a sinking or retirement fund to pay current or other expenditures otherwise than permitted by this act each member who votes for the application

(a) Is personally liable for the amount so applied which may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction; and

(b) Is disqualified from holding any municipal office for two years.

(2) Action by a ratepayer - If a council, on the request in writing of a ratepayer, refuses or neglects for one month to bring court action under clause (1)(a) the action may be brought by any ratepayer on behalf of all ratepayers.

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