In a recent comment piece in Northern Life, Michael Atkins has once again attempted to reach Greater Sudbury taxpayers with his well-articulated message regarding the fallacy of locating the new “arena” outside the downtown core on property owned by Dario Zulich and his cronies at True North.
Based on the replies to Atkins’ piece on Sudbury.com and social media, it is evident that many residents of Sudbury are turning a blind eye to what Atkins referred to as the “fiscal madness” of this decision. Clearly many of the supporters of this project are residents of Sudbury but not property owners nor taxpayers in the region and thus are impervious to the consequences for regional taxpayers.
Many see this project as an enlightened decision by council to move the city out of the dark ages and into a fresh new “entertainment complex” complete with a gambling casino etc.
Sounds enticing, doesn’t it?
They are ignoring the fact that the region is a declining economy and population and that tax rates have already reached the breaking point due to a crumbling infrastructure and municipal overspending.
Critics of this decision, including Atkins, correctly blame certain members of council and the mayor.
However, it is clear from the naïve and ill-informed comments by some citizens that local politicians are only doing what politicians do and simply placating to their base regardless of the consequences. The real blame lies with the citizens of the region with stars in their eyes; many of whom will never pay a penny toward this charade.
As Atkins observed, numerous groups and individuals have provided well-researched reasons why this decision is flawed, but our local citizens and council clearly think they are smarter than those we have paid to provide professional advice.
They are being hoodwinked by a slick promoter who understands what he has to gain for so little investment. Zulich has done nothing to dispel the mistaken and naïve belief by many citizens that True North will bear the cost of this new complex while in fact it is the responsibility and burden of the taxpayers of this region. True North is risking very little. In Atkins’ words, “It has been a masterpiece of theatre and marketing over fact and due diligence.”
Jim Curry
Sudbury