Vaudry tries to clip Rowswell's wings

In a strongly worded letter to Mayor John Rowswell, Ward 6 Councillor Peter Vaudry says he's opposed to any further transpolar initiatives until a solid business plan is in place.

Vaundry accuses the Mayor of angling this week for an invitation to Taiwan, but argues that no further travel should be undertaken until a final report is received from the City's transpolar consultant and the scheme's viability is proven.

"In your present non-planned approach I see dollars flying away," the councillor says.

Here's the full text of Councillor Vaudry's letter:

*************************************************************************** Peter Vaudry Councillor Ward 6 283 Laurier Avenue Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6C 5J3 Phone: (705)254-4638 Fax: (705)254-2479 E-mail: [email protected]

2002 08 13

Mayor John Rowswell:

RE: Director Tso-Chen Chen Visit

In your memo to Council you write:

"His visit starts very preliminary discussions as to what and who we would like to meet with if we had a Sault Ste. Marie/North Bay delegation visit Taiwan. It would be our intention to ask Director Chen's assistance in facilitating these meetings."

I have a very real concern about this statement.

As Councillor Manzo often says you have the cart before the horse.

We have not had the final report from the Consultant and you are already planning a trip to Taiwan.

I have no doubt you will come up with an invitation to go to Taiwan to discuss this further.

As has been the case in the past you will approach Council with this and ask for support since as Mayor you have been invited to attend and this will undoubtedly be the best opportunity for Sault Ste Marie and we can't afford to miss this etc.

I want to go on record opposing this or any other travel until we have a solid business case with both Provincial and Federal Members of Parliament and Governments supporting it as well as having The Airport Development Corporation as a part of the team that will implement the Business Plan.

In your present non-planned approach I see dollars flying away again with no thought/focus on accountability/cost versus results.

We need a well thought out plan at a price we can afford and with measurable outcomes before we put any further resources into Transpolar.

First the feasibility has to be confirmed and then a Business Plan has to be developed that is supported by all the parties necessary to make it happen.

The $90,000.00 remaining in the Transpolar Account should remain intact until the feasibility is determined and the Business Plan is in place.

Thank You Councillor Peter Vaudry

CC: Council, CAO Joe Fratesi, Joe Sniezek, Media

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