Mayoral candidates square off over city: ‘There is waste’

The gloves are coming off in the race for mayor as challengers attack John Rodriguez’s record of office.

Challenger Ward 8 Coun. Ted Callaghan said Rodriguez has wasted money on two major projects that he failed to deliver: the performing arts centre (PAC) and the multi use sports complex (MURC). Both projects were defeated by city council.

Callaghan faxed Northern Life an e-mail from Greater Sudbury senior city management to council outlining how the city paid a total of $430,710 for consulting services for both projects.

Monteith-Brown Planning Consultants received $51,120 for a feasibility study for the MURC. MacLennan Jaunkains Miller Associates $120,420 were paid for architectural services. The total paid by city taxpayers was $209,070.

Regarding the PAC, Novita Interpares Limited received $34,890 for development plans for the 1,800 seat theatre and another $112,140 for a business plan, conceptual design and site selection. The total was $184,040. In additional, Gingras and Associates was engaged for $22,400 to prepare a capital planning and feasibility study to locate potential funders.

Callaghan said, with money expected to be tight at senior levels of government, now is the time for voters to back someone focused more on the provision of core city services, such as water, parks and recreation, roads, policing, fire protection and libraries.

Newcomer Marianne Matichuk, who jumped in the mayoral race Sept. 9, agreed it was time for efficiencies at city hall. She worked at city hall in health and safety for 17 years before going to work for Vale.

“I want to look at the spending in the city,” Matichuk said. “There is waste. I have seen lots myself over the years. It is the way the system runs right now.”

During the opening of his Elm Street campaign office last week, Rodriguez said the city needs leadership that is not afraid of having a vision for the city and going for it. He touted his record of accomplishments from $170 million spent on roads to the ongoing $5-million redevelopment of the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre.

“Though we have not attained everything we wished to do (when first elected), we have accomplished a great deal,” Rodriguez said.

“The past four years have given us great momentum. We are a city in motion.”