Someone needs to pay for rec centre mistakes

I just read, and also received notice in my property tax bill that the new town offices will be open and occupied the first week in March.

Isn't it wonderful that the barn's new spacious offices will soon be occupied by our elected officials, while the rec centre that was to do so much for this town in nowhere near completion.

Although the second, smaller rink has finally opened, I question why it is still so far behind. I am aware of labour issues, and unexpected costs and delays. I have been to the rec centre and have seen how much more there is to complete. The original date given to open the facility was a joke, anyone could see how much there was to be done, and no member of council could have possibly expected dates of late 2007 to open. In fact, now they are telling us that the soccer and baseball fields will probably not be able to be used this summer as well. Who planned all of this?

Someone really dropped the ball on this project, and has no doubt increased the costs dramatically to correct and get the job back on schedule. Furthermore, community groups, like Innisfil Minor Hockey, and figure skating clubs were promised ice time back in November.

Some groups were even pressured into booking times, and then when the ice was not ready they had to scramble to find ice. By then, Stroud, Lefroy and other arenas had already sold ice time, and had contracts to honour.

As of late, council members have been tackling the annual budget for this town, and of course want to increase property taxes, although it "pains them to do so."

But quite honestly what choice do they have?

Someone has to pay for mistakes, and unexpected costs. Also, the running of the new offices and rec centre (whenever that will be), will be costly. So why not give raises, buy some new trucks and equipment, and then raise our taxes again?

It seems understandable, right?

Since I will be helping to pay for salaries, the rec centre's cost and maintenance, and also that of the new offices, I just have one request for our councillors. In the interest of saving energy and money out of the tax payers' pockets, turn off the lights. Anytime I have driven by the barn, day or night, there is not a soul in the place but every light is on. I can see some outdoor lights being left on for safety purposes.

But for every light inside and out to be on all the time, even my six and seven-yearold children know how to turn off lights when they are not in the room.
Sandra Hartman,
Innisfil