Letter to the editor:
We appreciate the time and effort put forth in the matter of moving the services of City Hall, the Library, and the Museum under one roof. However, we have a few items for your consideration, as well as a few questions that we’d like answers to.
1. Why was the land under the Downtown Chatham Centre sold when it was previously owned by the citizens of Chatham-Kent? Was there not a buy-back clause?
2. In the meetings with the developer of the new “Hub,” who was involved in those meetings? Was it just administration, or were council members included?
3. The maintenance problems with the current Civic Centre should have been addressed years ago, before the costs became astronomical. It was quoted that it would cost $37 million to make the repairs to the existing Civic Centre. Who quoted that price, and was it from different sources? Part of the $37 million included moving council chambers to the first floor. Why is that necessary?
4. You are already counting on selling the Civic Centre building for $10 million. Has this deal been signed already, or will we be holding another white elephant in hopes of a sale? Rob Myers has publicly stated that he will buy this building. Is this one of the reasons that you are looking to relocate to 100 King Street?
5. $43 million to purchase and redevelop the Sears store. If tenders haven’t gone out yet and this part of the process hasn’t been established, how are we to know that it will be $43 million, or will it be more? As we understand it, tenders that have already been submitted are higher than $43 million.
6. There was a public meeting to display the drawings of the new plan, and only at that meeting did we hear about the fire hall being relocated. The public survey about these drawings seemed biased.
7. The Civic Centre was designed to be able to withstand two more stories. What would be the cost to add two more stories to house the Library or Museum and put the other in the existing Fire Hall? With more than 50% of the municipal staff working from home, the existing space should be able to house all three.
8. The partners of 100 King Street (Rob Myers, Don Tetrault, Jessica & Pete Tsirmbis, Ron Nydam, and Jim Bullock) have stated that they will renovate the Downtown Chatham Centre whether the Municipality buys it or not. So, there is no pressure to go this route if it’s not feasible for the taxpayers. The taxpayers are your first priority.
9. A project of this magnitude should involve 2-3 years of planning, but this seems to have come up so recently that it doesn’t seem like it has been given enough time for planning. There should be a committee to look at all avenues. The committee should consist of the CFO, CAO, some councilors, some people with knowledge of building maintenance and codes, as well as some citizens at large.
10. Considering other costs that are coming up for the taxpayers, such as: $7 million for the Wheatley project, $6.6 million for the roundabout at Queens Line and Merlin Townline, $3 million for the homeless, upwards of $10 million for a new fire hall, unknown millions for the Highway 3 repair at Coatsworth Road, $750 million for new water and wastewater needs for Wallaceburg and Chatham, the mounting costs of the 99 McNaughton Ave apartment building fire, the 101 McNaughton Ave affordable housing project that has to start over, the fire at the Wheatley Water Treatment Plant, St. Agnes School and Meadowpark property purchases ($4 million), plus, all the unforeseen issues that arise, perhaps it is time for the council to look at all the costs before moving into their new home prematurely.
In your term of office, taxes have increased by 20% or more. Certainly, we cannot be the only citizens of Chatham-Kent who are worried about how much our taxes will increase over the rest of your term. Your 2024-2027 tax increases are stated as increasing 28%. In this day, when we are all struggling to make ends meet with inflation, higher taxes, and so many of our citizens on fixed incomes, we ask that you please consider spending our tax dollars as if they are coming out of your own personal bank account—not that of deep pockets, which we do not have.
Administration suggested that deputations shouldn’t be heard, but it is up to council to make the policy, and administration to administer it. Administration should be taking direction from council, not the other way around.
It was interesting to find out that our Mayor was the only one on council who is opposed to hearing deputations at the October 21st council meeting. If he isn’t listening now, what are the chances that he’ll listen in the future?
We would like the citizens of Chatham-Kent to speak up to their elected officials about this project and attend the final meeting on October 21st at Civic Centre.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We will see you at the polls in October of 2026.
Sincerely,
Curtis Carter, former member of the Planning Board (10 years), former Councilor and Mayor, Past President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario
Karen Pynenbrouck, concerned citizen
