Dear Editor,
[RE: LETTER – Can residents see festival cost-benefit analysis, Sept. 28, mapleridgenews.com]
Dennis Kinsey should not be surprised to find that there is a lack of income in any cost-benefit analysis for the annual $350,000 expenditure of the Maple Ridge Our Neck of the Woods project.
As I have commented in a previous letter to the editor, the benefits that have been touted by the city are all of the imaginary feel-good, mumbo- jumbo kind, as reiterated on the city website.
So don’t expect any proof of economic benefits from Dan Nielsen, who it appears is just following the party line.
Some local businesses may have benefited from a one-day boost in sales, which does not recoup any of the funds spent.
And of course the recipients of the $700,000 for the two years would have benefited.
Transparency and accountability seems to be lacking for this project, as well as other controversial decisions such as the plans for the Hammond park and golf course and taking over The ACT Arts Centre.
These will be issues in the upcoming civic election next year, and I urge Maple Ridge residents to participate, taking into account the record and political views of the candidates.
Ron Lauria, Maple Ridge