Part 2: Why Rowswell abandoned plans to sign agreement in front of PM

Behind-the-scenes maneuvering by City councillors and staff persuaded Mayor Rowswell to abandon his plan to sign a Russian agreement in front of Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Premier Mike Harris, SooToday News has learned.

The following is Part 2 of our selection of full-text records related to the Russian agreement:

**************************** FROM: [Mayor] JOHN ROWSWELL SENT: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2002 10:37 AM TO: [Councillor] PETER VAUDRY SUBJECT: RE: BEYOND YOUR AUTHORITY

Peter:

The intent of sending the agreement to all of council is exactly to give you input. The MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] was written by our consultant with North Bay. Because I was so rushed before I left, the MOU looked great to me. [City Solicitor] Lorie Bottos has made suggestions to add clauses subject to council approval. His input was welcomed. Because of your concerns I am no longer pursuing trying to sign the agreement in front of the prime ministers, however, the modified agreement will be signed I think. Council does have the final say in this agreement. You may get modified agreements from [Mayor's assistant] Renee and please talk with Joe Sniezek amd or Mike Tretheway. It is my understanding that the wording is a cooperation agreement to get attention of our federal government.

It is very difficult to modify the agreement. Renee has provided the modified agreements but so far in a new version of word which I have not figured out how to print. I will try later on today.

I am having much problems with internet. It is not reliable here. I will travelling for about 6 days so I am not aware if internet possible in Yakutsk and Krasnoyarsk.

The 1500 USD just came today, the mother is picking it up for me.

I heard a good sum was put aside for doctor recruitment. Good.

I you get this before you go to bed, I will be around to receive an email with all that is going on. But if I read in the morning, it is too late because I have to fly to Moscow to Mayor o Yakutsk. You have to go west before I can go east. This is Russia and nothing is easy.

John

**************************** FROM: [Mayor] JOHN ROWSWELL SENT: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 4:22 AM TO: [Mayor's assistant] RENEE WYSYNSKI CC: [Councillor] PETER VAUDRY SUBJECT: MORE CHANGES TO AGREEMENT TO SUIT COUNCIL

Renee:

Attached are more changes to the basis for negotiations with Bratsk, Yakutsk and Krasnoyarsk. Please make exact same changes to the Krasnoyarsk agreement and forward by Email and fax to them.

Also, forward to me.

Please release the Bratsk basis for negotiation of a letter of intent to Sault Star.

As far as I know all of council's concerns have now been addressed.

Please forward new document to council with this email.

Thanks

John

**************************** FROM: [Councillor] PETER VAUDRY SENT: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2002 6:37 am TO: [Mayor] JOHN ROWSWELL CC: [Councillor] TONY RYMA SUBJECT: MORE CHANGES TO AGREEMENT TO SUIT COUNCIL

John: you do not have the authority to sign any agreements without approval from Council. As Lorie has advised.

Why are you not waiting for the Consultants report?

What is the rush? An agreement with a resolution and a By-law would be the best and the only way for this to happen.

We require a private sector partner for Transpolar to even think of getting off the ground. They would be the one to decide which airport and routes to fly, not yourself. Where is the Airport Development Corporation in this?

Once again i ask that you not sign anything that binds the City as you do not have the authority and the result of the negative media on this issue when you return is not something we should subject the City to again.

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