Bridezilla? No marriage for EDC, Innovation Centre

Some people thought they'd make a great couple.

But the idea of hitching the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (SSMEDC) and the Innovation Centre is a non-starter for City Council.

Last night, councillors voted seven to five against asking SSMEDC and the Innovation Centre to get together to talk about a possible merger.

"I'm just suggesting there may be some opportunities for some synergies here," said Ward 2 Councillor Terry Sheehan who brought the motion to City Council last month.

At that time, the motion was tabled to allow councillors time to consider a three-year-old review done by an independent third party.

Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers suggesting the information City Council wanted could be found in that report.

Mayor Debbie Amaroso began last night's discussion with a pointed warning to councillors to stay on topic.

"We're not going to discuss the advantages or disadvantages of either organization," Amaroso said. "We're simply going to discuss council's desire or lack of desire to request a report."

Ward 5 Councillor Frank Fata asked SSMEDC Acting Chief Executive Officer Dave Murphy what impact considering a merger could have on the two organizations.

Murphy said the timing wasn't good, with the distinct possibility of a federal election looming and a provincial election also occurring soon.

Murphy said governments would be looking for places to put money and the perception that either organization is under review would not bode well for funding or program requests.

It would be best to have regularly scheduled reviews done by impartial third parties, Murphy said, adding that specifically investigating the possibility of a merger could get expensive.

"You're going to need some legal advice," he said. "You're going to need to know if your books are going to be stronger after a merger than they were before, and you're going to need advice on human resources."

Ward 4 Councillor Rick Niro agreed that any review should be done by an impartial third party and that another not be undertaken until 2013.

He said that he had supported the idea of a review at the last City Council meeting but changed his position after considering the report that Myers brought to Council.

Ward 3 Councillor Brian Watkins said he believed the people running the two organizations in question are passionate about what they are doing and very capable.

"They would come to us if they thought this was necessary," he said.

Ward 6 Councillor Joe Krmpotich supported the idea of this study.

He said it would probably help identify pitfalls and opportunities for possible savings.

It's City Council's responsibility to be fiscally responsible and to try to get the most value for taxpayer dollars, Krmpotich said.

Councillor Myers said the study conducted three years ago cost the city $40,000.

She said the City should begin at its next budget to set aside funds for another in-depth study in 2013. //