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Hydro sell-off an example of why change is needed

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In Penetanguishene
Oct 8th, 2010
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Letter to Simcoe.com October 5 2010
PENETANGUISHENE – Some years ago, Penetanguishene council, without any consultation with or permission from taxpayers, decided to sell our hydro company for approximately $6 million. They decided those funds should be held separately, and the interest used each year to fund various capital projects.
Well, apparently we needed a new addition to town hall, a new fire truck, a new firehall, a new sports hall of fame, etc. By the time council was finished, they had “borrowed” all of the $6 million.
We are supposed to be paying it back to ourselves, plus interest. Even at five per cent, this amounts to $300,000 a year. And where is it coming from? Our taxes. I wonder how much this folly will end up costing us, and how long it will take us to pay ourselves back.
Our town is in a real crisis and is gradually being diminished. We have lost the licensing office, our town campground and our walk-in clinic. Our hospital has lost the x-ray department, the physiotherapy department, blood services and diabetes services, and now there is talk of it closing completely. We are in danger of losing our high school. Even the town dock is being radically changed. There will be nothing left of Penetanguishene.
I am urging citizens to get out and vote for a real change. Remember, many of those who got us into this mess are running for re-election, so what kind of change can that be? Let’s try to save our town before it is too late.
Bert Reynolds, Penetanguishene

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