A hot topic of discussion city-wide reignited at city council Monday night.

The $3.5-million dollar Canada Day celebrations came up, as Mayor Steve Black wanted to provide council the information regarding the contract with David Whysall International Fireworks Inc.

He says he wanted to give council a chance to speak to the item before he signed off on the fireworks and entertainment contracts.

With that, the two councillors who voted against the festival to begin with got their chance to continue picking apart the agreement in a public setting.

Councillor Rick Dubeau began the discussion by questioning why the contract was sole-sourced to Whysall, who was in attendance with Black when the vote took place October 3rd.

“This company approached us,” he said, “They’re obviously not the only company in the country that does this kind of stuff.  To sole-source this is a very dangerous precedent and the perception is not good.”

He went on to talk about how the presentation and vote took place the same night, along with a history of failed local music festivals.

Dubeau says two festivals hosted in 2001 and 2002 lost a combined $216,000.

“We are gambling with the taxpayers monies,” he added, “We were not elected to do so.”

Councillor Joe Campbell, meantime, raised concerns about who was doing the negotiating for the entertainment acts.

He outlines that the promoter takes the risk, and says this is “a sweetheart deal for any promoter, any agent wanting to come to Timmins for the simple reason that they don’t have to sell a ticket because the taxpayers are going to guarantee a million dollars.”

“I’d be in line to get the appointment.”

Black differed by saying there’s usually three parties involved in these agreements, and admits there is a risk being taken with the venture.

Dubeau came back into the discussion, and says what was talked about around the table at meetings in August wasn’t what came to council.

He says Black had clear direction to negotiate an exclusive concert and take a look into the fireworks.  But in an email September 30th, Black brought forth the eight-day festival idea.

As Black went to clarify comments, Dubeau suggested he was debating and that he step down from the Mayoral seat.

City Clerk Steph Palmateer chimed in by saying Black was asked a number of direct questions, adding the Mayor was simply answering them.

Going back to the sole-sourcing issue, Black went to Treasurer Jim Howie, who clarified that the city does in fact sole-source contracts with Palmateer adding that it was done as recently as in September.

There, Pro Pipe was given a $52,000 contract to construct additional concrete containment wall at the water treatment plant.

To that, Dubeau says while that’s true, there’s no reason to move this particular thing as quickly as it has been.

Black countered that he gets his direction from council, and they provided direction on the festival with a 7-2 vote.

“I wish you would respect that decision and council’s decision and their authority as well,” the Mayor said, adding he hopes any councillor concerned for taxpayers dollars “would spend their time promoting and encouraging the event to sell tickets and reduce the risk to the taxpayers.”

For the full discussion, the audio can be found HERE.

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