Comment 75450

By RenaissanceWatcher (registered) | Posted March 26, 2012 at 23:48:58

In his opinion piece today titled "Is Bratina's conduct unbecoming of mayor?", Spectator columnist Andrew Dreschel notes that Mayor Bratina is the Chair of the HECFI subcommittee. http://www.thespec.com/opinion/columns/a...

There are actually five members on the interim HECFI board: Mayor Bratina and Councillors Jason Farr, Chad Collins, Sam Merulla and Judi Partridge. http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/C6EF...

It is common knowledge that six bidders have applied to manage one or more of the HECFI facilities: 1. Katz Group/AEG (all 3 facilities); 2. Global Spectrum/Live Nation (all 3 facilities); 3. SMG/Forum Equity (all 3 facilities); 4. Carmen's/ Loren Leiberman (Hamilton Convention Centre only); 5. Vrancor (Hamilton Convention Centre only); 6. Sonic Unyon (Hamilton Place only). http://www.thespec.com/print/article/670...

A perusal of the 2010 Hamilton municipal election financial statements of the interim HECFI board members shows the following:

Mayor Bratina received a $250.00 contribution from Peter Mercanti, a $500.00 contribution from Sam Mercanti, and a $750.00 contribution from Darko Vranich; http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/65D8...

Councillor Farr received a $250.00 contribution from Carmen's Inc. (Peter Mercanti); http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/006C...

Councillor Merulla received a $150.00 contribution from Carmen's (Peter Mercanti and Joe Mercanti). http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/FFCE...

The only members of the interim HECFI board who did not receive a 2010 campaign contribution from anyone affiliated with one of the current bidders to manage one or more of the HECFI facilities are Councillors Collins and Partridge: http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/006C... http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/006C...

City staff is scheduled to present a report on the six bids to manage the HECFI facilities to city council at the GIC meeting on April 4, 2012. Do Mayor Bratina, Councillor Farr and Councillor Merulla have a conflict of interest on the HECFI bids? If so, should they abstain from voting on any motion to consider the HECFI bids at the HECFI board meetings and/or at GIC/city council meetings?

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