Markham Hislop

Readers have requested the votes of City Council last night on the motion to extend the Race City lease to 2015.   Council votes are included in the minutes, which are usually posted to the City’s web site later in the week.  However, this was a recorded vote and the City Clerk’s office emailed me the results.

Ald. Dale Hodges was not present at the Council meeting because he has been at home sick the past few weeks. 
1. That the Land and Asset Strategy Committee Recommendation 1 contained in Report LAS2009-01 be adopted; and

2. That the Report, Attachments and Recommendations remain confidential following the in-camera discussion pursuant to Section 24(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act until completion of the lease negotiations.

The Recorded Vote was as follows:

For:         Aldermen Mar, Colley-Urquhart, Chabot, Connelly, McIver, Stevenson and Jones

John Mar

Diane Colley-Urquhart

Andre Chabot

Joe Connelly

Rick McIver

Jim Stevenson

Ray Jones

Against:  Aldermen Farrell, Ceci, Fox-Mellway, Hawkesworth, Lowe, Pincott and Mayor Bronconnier

Druh Farrell

Joe Ceci

Linda Fox-Mellway

Bob Hawkesworth

Gord Lowe

Brian Pincott

In spite of several requests, the Mayor’s office has yet to provide a picture of the mayor to SECN. 

The second item in the motion suggests that, with the motion’s defeat, the administration’s report and other information will no longer be considered confidential.  Ald. McIver says that a second motion passed accepting the administration’s recommendation that the information still be considered in camera and, therefore, confidential and not open to the public or the media.

I requested an interview last week with each of the alderman to discuss their views of Race City.

Of the aldermen who voted in favour of the motion, Ald. McIver and Connelly moved it, so their views are well known.  Jim Stevenson returned my call and spoke very strongly in favour the race track.  During an interview for another story with Andre Chabot, the subject of Race City came up and the alderman expressed very positive support.  Aldermen Mar and Colley-Urquhart did not return my call.

Of the aldermen who voted against the motion, only Joe Ceci spoke to me about Race City.  He argued that City officials had assured him it was either the race track or the storm water retention ponds.  Forced to choose, he believes Calgarians are more concerned about the integrity of the waste management system than the hobby of a few thousand motorsport racers and fans.  I can respect his point of view even though I don’t agree with it.  The other aldermen did not return my call requesting an interview.

Related posts:

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3. VIDEO: RACE CITY SURVIVES CITY COUNCIL VOTE, ALD. McIVER'S MOTION PASSES 8-7 Race City's popular Secret Street program will continue for another...
4. McIVER HOPES COUNCIL MOTION WILL ENSURE SE LRT PLANNING READY WHEN CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS ARE AVAILABLE By Markham Hislop, Editor Southeast alderman Ric McIver is asking...

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