Jeff Huska says all spending on the Kingsway Entertainment District needs to stop immediately until a new council is elected in October.
Huska made the statement following news reports that Hilton Hotels won't be splitting operating costs with the city, developer and Gateway Casinos for the KED after the city identified the hotel chain as one of the four parties involved in the partnership, along with Gateway Casinos and developer Dario Zulich.
“I find it incomprehensible that the city didn’t follow up with Hilton Hotels before any formal announcement was made, and I want guarantees the city will do their due diligence in confirming any further possible partnerships moving forward.
“It is important that Greater Sudburians realize that this entire project should be put on hold until a new council has been elected and any further decisions regarding KED by this council should stop.”
Below is the full text of Huska's media release:
Mayoral candidate Jeff Huska is saying it again, “stop the site preparation and the ongoing spending on the Kingsway Entertainment District especially now, in light of a recent report from a local news station regarding a major hotel chain supposedly joining the project.”
Huska is referring to the latest release from CBC stating “A spokesperson with Hilton Hotels says the chain is not currently involved in plans to partner on Sudbury's Kingsway Entertainment District. In an email to CBC News, a Hilton spokesperson wrote "as of Sept. 19, it is factually incorrect and unconfirmed that Hilton will be splitting operating costs with the city, developer and Gateway Casinos for the upcoming Kingsway Entertainment District."
It is important that Greater Sudburians realize that this entire project should be put on hold until a new council has been elected and any further decisions regarding KED by this council should stop. I’d go a step farther and say that all decisions should cease until the LPAT tribunal is complete, regardless of any timetable. The taxpayer who is paying the bills for this unapproved project deserves to know every issue, appeal and commitment has been properly vetted.
As per the Sudbury Star, “At a city council meeting on Sept 11, Catherine Matheson, Sudbury's general manager of Community Development, identified Hilton as one of the four parties involved in the partnership, along with Gateway Casinos and developer Dario Zulich.”
“I find it incomprehensible that the city didn’t follow up with Hilton Hotels before any formal announcement was made, and I want guarantees the city will do their due diligence in confirming any further possible partnerships moving forward.”
As Huska points out, when you read the letter from Jeff Cury, a senior director at Hilton, there is a major difference between a hotel chain stating there is a “strong interest” to actually telling you they are committed and confirming their participation in the KED.
This 2018 mayoral candidate wants Greater Sudburians to stay informed on what really is happening regarding the KED.
“If City Hall is going to stick you with the bill, you should know what you are paying for.”
