Dear Editor:
I question the shell game type of explanations as to the finances behind the pier park "Wayne's Wharf" and whether it will be a whole park, twothirds of a park originally planned or the half wharf we are getting. We will likely not find out until after the election. We hope there will be a full investigation into those statements "On time and on budget".
There seems to be an endless attempt, like in the old shell game, to hide the peanut and fool all of the people all of the time about this project. None of us can follow the money presented in various versions of how much from whom, at what final capital cost and at what operating costs. Who can we trust to give taxpayers the answers?
The pyramid of loans and financing is so convoluted with the financing, using OPM (other people's money), touted to "save $400,000," but what are the total financing costs over the life of these outstanding loans?
We are also told to be assuaged by the fact that some of these loans will be paid out by the sale of city properties, including the Gyro Health Building, paid for by OPM and gifted to the city by the Gyro Club Foundation (do they have a say in its sale or a right to any proceeds?). Other property touted to be liquidated such as the animal shelter property in Queensborough, but no alternate site has been identified or purchased to liberate that property.
And then there is the other shell game being played with Queensborough DCC money. At the all-candidates meeting, the mayor denied that Queensborough DCC money had been deployed elsewhere on the mainland. Then Coun. Harper said that they had "borrowed it" but would repay it. Repay it with interest, was the third explanation from Coun. Cote. Let's see if I have it Wright here! The city of New Westminster is paying Queensborough interest from taxpayer funds that it borrowed from itself - really!
Mr. Mayor, we know that you made a living making fudge, but cease fudging the numbers in shell games with the taxpayers, city property and accounts to finance your legacy with OPM (Other Pensioners Money).
I wonder, do we need a wholesale change for mayor and council Nov. 19 so we the people whose pockets are being picked can find out what is really going on?
E. C. "Ted" Eddy, New Westminster
