The Manager of Fort Erie's Economic Development Corporation is defending a deal struck between the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium.
Jim Thibert who is also the manager of the town's Live Racing Consortium says the future of racing in Fort Erie was in jeopardy if they didn't accept a deal for increased funding.
"We were at a critical point where it could be impossible to go beyond next year if we didn't have another source of funding, now that isn't the overriding factor in making that choice, because if we were ever able to make the offer public, we are quite confident as a board, that everyone would come to the same conclusion we did."
Members of the consortium signed non-disclosures agreements which means they can't talk about the details of the offer from the OLG.
Fort Erie mayor Wayne Redekop says the option of cash was never mentioned by the Province and the Town was never consulted on this alternative.
During the provincial election campaign Doug Ford promised a return of the slots in Fort Erie if elected.
In a statement to CKTB the towns CAO Tom Kuchyt says he was not aware of the deal or had any part in discussions and he was just as surprised as everyone else at the deal made. He plans to formally request more information from the 7 member Board to which he is a member, but was left out of the discussions. To read his full statement visit our website.
Statement from CAO:
"Late Friday the Province put out a Media Release regarding the deal that was struck between the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC) and the Province, which does not include the return of the slots to the Fort Erie Race Track. I was just as surprised as everyone. I sit on the Board of the FELRC and was not aware of the deal or had any part in discussions of the offer. I reached out to the FELRC on Saturday seeking information on what took place and received no response. Saturday evening I reached out to the Board Chair asking the same questions:
- When did the discussions take place regarding the offer by the Province, and
- When did the "emergency meeting" take place that was noted in the Media Release put out by the FELRC dated Oct. 13, 2018.
I received a reply Sunday morning stating that an emergency Board meeting was held on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. and that the FELRC did not invite me or share meeting correspondence because they felt I had a conflict.
I find it interesting that they, the Board Chair and/or Board, made the decision that I would have a conflict and therefore not be invited to the emergency meeting. Declaring a conflict is my decision to make at the time of the meeting, not theirs.
To date I have not been provided any information on the discussions that took place at the October 2 meeting.
This is all very unfortunate. The slots would have provided much needed employment opportunities, been an attractor and provided economic spin-offs for the community.
I will be formally requesting information from the Board.
Tom Kuchyt, C.E.T.
Chief Administrative Officer