New Hotel – Really?
Today’s Daily News carries a story: “Mayor hints at big news for the city, but will not discuss details” which should be of interest to all of us. If we have finally found an investor willing to build a hotel to compliment our Conference Centre, this is good news unless: 1) We are somehow “partnering” so that Nanaimo taxpayers act as the insurance provider against loses as we are with the VICC, or a major equity donor with either site or park land at either location. Similarly let’s hope that the design has nothing to do with the unconscionable condo tower lastly proposed by Millennium, the rooms of which were largely over 1000 sq. feet and obviously not designed for hotel purposes. But if the deal is real and unsubsidized by taxpayers: hooray for whichever city individuals or groups are responsible! And thanks for saving taxpayers the $300,000 proposed to be paid for finding an investor.
More troubling in the story was the following: “Ruttan said he may have spoken to several council members about the project, but he has tried to keep things quiet. Do we now have a two tier Council system made up of those to whom our mayor speaks to and those to whom he doesn’t? I appreciate his concern for leaks, but rather than dividing Council he should ensure that those who spill legally protected information are removed from Council. I do not wish to wonder whether my vote is going to an “in” group on Council or an “out”.
Ron Bolin
Posts and Comments on Nanaimo Governance 
IF the city is actually making a deal to build a hotel downtown, it better be made crystal clear what the city taxpayers are offering the builder. In the last deal, tucked away is sub-clauses, there was reference to the city guaranteeing the hotel operator the sale of a certain number of meals on a daily basis.
This group at city hall, penned the deal with Millennium and this Council gave J. Berry half a million to go work someplace else!
Their ineptness has been well proven, and ANY deal they cut needs to be scrutinized very carefully.
What a non-story. What possible motive could Mayor Ruttan have by leaking this subterfuge? The story also says:
“Councillors say they have heard little about this new deal. Those who know about it say it has nothing to do with the hotel.”
John Ruttan stated on his website for election to Mayor, “It’s time for a new leader. One who is accountable to ALL citizens of Nanaimo and one who can lead by example to help create a healthy, prosperous community.” How can he be accountable to ALL citizens then assume a selective discussion around his own council table?
John Ruttan’s vision was ” As your Mayor, my priority will be to strengthen the ties that exist between the citizens of Nanaimo and their elected representatives at City Hall. There comes a time for new ideas and a fresh perspective on how to handle our community’s most important and challenging issues. That time is now. Elect me as your Mayor and I will respect your right to be heard.” After reading the press statements he does not appear to be strenghtening the ties but seems to be undoing those ties and erecting a wall between them.
If John Ruttan knows something, spit it out and quit the kids game of ” I know a secret! ” You are in charge of one of the largest Cities in our province and all you can say is that you have a story to tell, but you can’t tell everybody but a select few sounds a bit like insider information is being bandied about (so they can make decisions that will beneifit them.
Is this the kind of person we elected as our Mayor? Good thing we have an election next year!
Instead of being about a Hotel, it oculd be about a multiplex or the sale of the bus depot property to the city to build the multiplex? Perhaps the City has a new supplier of toilet paper!
If Ruttan starts running the office like a business then thankfully we might actually get somewhere. Leaking information is a big problem and some people don’t even know they do it so he has every right to do what he can until it is made public.
My issue still remains the fact that the City may still operate as a developer in this case (holding the cards or at least the bond) which can spell trouble.
On the subject of the type of hotel, if we aren’t paying for it then the model similar to the shangrila in vancouver is one that works well. Rooms for the guests below and long term rentals or suites or condo’s above for a return on the original investment.
I say build it.
JT: I don’t agree. Ruttan has little to do with JB’s package or the issues of past items such as dealings with Millennium.
Just my opinion.
I acknowledge that the job of Mayor of one of BC’s largest cities is a difficult one – and I’m sure that there has been a steep learning curve for Mayor Ruttan. But there is no learning curve to standing behind one’s words! He promised transparency and a different way of doing things at City Hall – now deliver on the promise!
Hmmmm, let’s see a major off-shore investor with multiple components. Besides ousting the EDO manager for what reason I guess we will never know, perhaps the new investor will:
1. Build Bestwick’s multiplex.
2. Build the hotel everyone wants built.
3. Repair or move the train station. Better to move it closer to the hotel.
4. Fix up the Bastion
5. Pay Harmac’s taxes
6. Build enough density to accommodate 10,000 people living downtown.
There now, all our problems are solved.
Perhaps he will also cover the town with shiny new LED electronic lights. :-)
WE
Ruttan is not the only one I am referring to, I am referring to City staff, city legal counsel etc.
As for the reference to J. Berry, Mr. Ruttan is the ONLY person on council or staff who can say anything (which is nothing) about Berry’s departure. I am not sure that is even legal.
What qualifies city staff or this council to go to the bank of the city to raise money for business ventures that do not have enough thought or research behind them to qualify for conventional financing?
How much of the ‘successful’ events the VICC is attracting, is simply business which has been taken away from other Nanaimo businesses?
If one looks at the upcoming events at the VICC at:
Click to access VICCEventList.pdf
One will see that there are no events that couldn’t have been accommodated by our pre-VICC facilities.
FIve days later and still no public record about this story?
Monday. Perhaps today is the day our mayor will let us in on his little secret. Hope springs eternal in my little heart.