Ward 9 candidate Paul Stopciati says he's not swayed by the Downtown BIA's response to his criticism of Ribfest, calling it “a crock of stale rib sauce.”
Stopciati said he still wants to know why locals aren't allowed to be ribbers, whether they pay property tax or business taxes.
“I also do not believe Ribfest is the tourism draw it’s claimed to be,” Stopciati said. “I called some of the hotels – there was very limited activity throughout the weekend. There certainly weren't the guests from out of town that the BIA claims.
“If this Ribfest was so great, then I call on the BIA to show citizens full and complete financials for the past 10 years. We must know the cost of taxpayers’ contributions to this event!”
Full text of Stopciati's letter:
Ward 9 candidate unimpressed by BIA Ribfest response
The response provided by the Downtown Sudbury BIA regarding Ribfest is a crock of stale rib sauce. The letter was very vague and misleading in nature.
Just a few questions Ward 9 residents and business’s have that they want answers to.
1) Why are local restaurant owners not allowed to be ribbers?
2) How much property taxes did the ribbers pay last year?
3) How much business tax did these out of town ribbers pay?
4) Why is the Sudbury BIA defending the indefendable?
5) Are the ribs purchased locally?
6) How much did the Ribfest Franchise make?
7) How much money got taken out of our community by rib teams?
There was a 45 foot trailer parked in the back full of products that were acquired from outside Sudbury area WHY??????
I also do not believe Ribfest is the tourism draw it’s claimed to be. I called some of the hotels – there was very limited activity throughout the weekend. There certainly weren’t the guests from out of town that the BIA claims. Ribfests happen all over the country, and we are not the only one in Northern Ontario.
If this Ribfest was so great, then I call on the BIA to show citizens full and complete financials for the past ten years. We must know the cost of taxpayers’ contributions to this event!
Ward 9 residents and business’s deserve to know.
Paul Stopciati
Ward 9 Candidate
