Council denies a recommendation for $78,000 to help kick start the fundraising campaign. A similar decision to the one made in March of 2006 by the old city council.

 

Denied a year ago and denied again Monday night.

There will be no seed money for the Moose Jaw MultiPlex Builders after a decision by City Council. A motion to provide 78 thousand dollars in start up funds for the group was defeated by a vote of 3-3. Councillor Darin Chow was absent.

Builder's Co-Chair Ray Boughen was needless to say, unhappy following the meeting. "I don't know what we have to do to convince city council that there is a need for some dollars. I don’t know what they're using, not all of the council, but some of the council is thinking with because it doesn't seem to be that their brain is engaging properly."

In March of last year the Builders were denied seed money to start their fundraising campaign as well.

There were a few tense moments in council chambers during the multiplex discussion but it didn't involve the Builders.

After a request for soccer rates dragged on for what felt like and hour due to a series of 3-3 defeats and then the seed money was as well by a vote of 3-3, City Manager Gary McKay made a suggestion that Councillor Brian Swanson took offence to.

McKay "Mr. Chairman, may I suggest you table this until you have a full seven?"

Swanson "It is inappropriate for the City Manager to suggest that this be tabled. It was defeated. His idea that we table this is not part of his job to do that and its defeated. If some people can't be here for three meetings in a row that's their problem. The motion is defeated. Sorry."

There was an uncomfortable feeling in Council Chambers during the multiplex discussions that routinely got off topic. Instead of talking fundraising, which was what the motion was about, council seemed to debate the entire project and at times whether or not it will even go ahead.