Raise the Hammer
By: Trey Shaughnessy
Published: 2005/03/15 (Category: Politics)
Our city councilors are again wearing their micro-managing hats.
After canceling Aquafest and saving $95,000, it seems they are having debate after discussion over what to do with this huge budget allocation.
Pay down our debt? Use it for tax reduction? Buy a bunch of calendars?
Let me put this into perspective.
The Corporation of The City of Hamilton is a one billion dollar a year company. The money saved from canceling Aquafest is one ten-thousandth of the annual budget. To further put this into perspective, this is like a person that earns $50,000 a year worrying over what to do with five bucks.
Hold on a minute while I call a family meeting. We need to discuss what to do with our five bucks for the next year. Should we put it toward our mortgage or buy a dozen donuts?
Why can't the city find another sponsor to replace RBC? The benefits of a successful event like Aquafest, in the middle of summer on our waterfront, far outweigh any savings $95,000 can offer when applied to tax reduction.
[Aside: Bill Fenwick, the city's Director of Recreation and Culture, complained that Aquafest "was not attracting outside residents and it was becoming a community event." Heaven forbid. -Ed.]
But get ready for a fierce debate from council. This could either lower every household's tax bill by less than a dollar or invest in an event that shows off Hamilton's waterfront and provides free fun for the families of Hamilton in the summer.
The stars and the moon and the earth and the sun are aligning here." -- Mayor Fred Eisenberger on Light Rail in Hamilton
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By Steeltown
Posted 3/15/2005 2:36:21 AM
The City is planning to take the money from Aquafest and put it towards Port Days that will run around August.
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