Sam Katz responds to letter from Michael Welch of the Council of Canadians-Winnipeg Chapter.
The Michael’s original letter was posted earlier at this blog. (link no longer available)
Transcript:
Dear Mr. Welch:
Thank you for your letter of February 19, 2010, regarding the City Utility project.
In your letter you raise the issue of the business model by which we hire the necessary expertise to design and build our sewage treatment plants. You quote one of the options that civic staff identified as being reviewed. You also quote me as saying we will have private partners.
I have always stated, and can repeat for you today, my own opinion that the entire sewage treatment project, and indeed our utility, will be 100% owned by City for the citizens of the City of Winnipeg.
Thank you for the opportunity to address this important issue.
Yours sincerely,
Sam Katz
MAYOR
(original letter bellow)
Update from Michael Welch:
“A City Hall reporter told me soon after I sent out the original letter that the plan had not changed and that the Mayor was most likely changing the language to make the plan seem less objectionable than it is.
The Mayor’s response suggests no change in the plan, although it is possible they have ruled out financing as a role for the strategic partner. It is possible, the strategic partner wannabes may have backed away given the negative attention surrounding this deal. Keep telling your Councillor “No strategic partnership with these companies!”