Ward 11 candidate John Lindsay says the large project initiatives in Greater Sudbury — the Kingsway Entertainment District and the downtown Arts Junction — have divided the community and poisoned relationships at Tom Davies Square.
In a release this week, Lindsay said there was “considerable public concern” about the projects, but city council “for whatever reason” put special interests ahead of all other concerns. The projects have a life of their own, he wrote, and all valid objections were ignored.
“The bad taste of this whole exercise will linger for some time, and it all was unnecessary,” Lindsay wrote.
The full text of Lindsay’s release is below.
Large project initiatives have divided community and poisoned relationships at TD square.
Who is to blame for the divisiveness and conflict that has resulted from the decision of city council to endorse what are now referred to as the Large Projects, which include the Kingsway Entertainment District (Arena) on The Kingsway and the downtown Arts Junction (library, art gallery and convention/auditorium).
It would seem that despite considerable public concern with respect to these endeavours, council for whatever reasons listened to special interests, public and private, and decided that these projects represented needs and not wants, regardless of more economical alternatives, and not considering the quite substantial expense involved when our community is not growing and taxes are already at more than twice the rate of inflation.
It would appear little attention was given to practical reality and the rational for proceeding developed a life of its own, ignoring the valid objections of some on council and many ordinary citizens, including some such as myself who have taken considerable time and expense to formally question through the LPAT (Local Planning Appeals Tribunal) the KED specifically.
Regardless of the outcome of these appeals and whoever gets to serve on the new council, the bad taste of this whole exercise will linger for some time and it all was unnecessary, if only council had been truly responsible with respect to what we truly need versus wishful wants, and how we could more economically utilize our present resources.
We hope the lessons learned will help the new council be more prudent and responsible, considering all aspects and resisting the lobbying efforts of those who put their own interest before those of the general public.
Learn more about Linsday’s candidacy by visiting his election page on Sudbury.com.
