Organizers of a celebrity drag-racing event attended by Mayor John Rowswell last month in Elliot Lake have reimbursed the City of Sault Ste. Marie for the mayor's $211 expense tab, originally paid by Sault taxpayers.
Rowswell raced a 2004 Dodge Hemi pickup against Elliot Lake Mayor George Farkouh at the Fifth Annual North Shore Challenge, which attracted a crowd estimated at 12,000.
He submitted a bill to City Council for the unapproved travel.
Council approved the requisition at its July 26 meeting.
But Scot Reinhardt, co-ordinator of the Elliot Lake event, heard about Rowswell's extra costs and recently sent the City of Sault Ste. Marie a cheque for the full $211, along with a letter thanking Rowswell for adding a "celebrity factor" to the event.
The following is the full text of Reinhardt's letter:
***************************** July 28, 2004
To the Mayor and Council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie:
The organizers of the 5th Annual OK Tire North Shore Challenge would like to thank Mayor John Rowswell for attending our drag race event - and especially for taking part in the "Mayors Challenge" with Elliot Lake Mayor George Farkouh.
Not only did your Mayor's attendance help to add a celebrity factor to our event, but he also proved himself to be both an excellent ambassador for the Sault and an overall "good sport."
Mayor Rowswell did a fantastic job racing a 2004 Dodge Hemi Pick-up and he also provided MCTV with an exciting "clip" for the nightly news on MCTV.
We have received a lot of positive feedback about the Mayor's Challenge.
People are anxiously awaiting next year's event and a rematch between Mayor Rowswell and Mayor Farkouh.
As a result of Mayor Rowswell's attendance at this year's Challenge, Mr. Brad Janishewski, the owner of the Rollin' Thunder Jet Car, has expressed an interest in holding a demonstration in Sault Ste. Marie next year.
Brad showed his car at the Station Mall this season (on his way from Edmonton to Elliot Lake) and he said that he would be glad to make arrangements to "light-up" his car next year.
Anyone who has seen Rollin' Thunder in action will attest to its unparalleled ability to draw a crowd.
This is good news for both Elliot Lake and the Sault as many people would be attracted to such a demonstration.
Again, thanks to Mayor Rowswell.
We know that his time is valuable and we appreciate your city's giving spirit and neighbourly attitude.
This is a great example of how communities in the North can work together, and as a token of our appreciation we hope that you will accept this cheque for $211 to cover the extra costs of the Mayor's visit.
Thank-you Scot Reinhardt, Event Coordinator Elliot Lake Retirement Living
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