By Tina Comeau
THE VANGUARD
NovaNewsNow.com
A recommendation will be brought to Yarmouth Town Council at its Feb. 9 meeting, recommending that the town spend around $28,350 to fund a study that the YDC wants to carry out to develop a strategic plan for itself and for the future of the downtown business community.
The motion recommending that the town fund the study passed by a vote of 4-3 at a Jan. 26 committee of the whole meeting. But it was only approved after considerable debate.
Councillor Esther Dares, who has been a staunch supporter of the YDC (Yarmouth Development Corporation), said she was pleased to see the organization is taking the initiative to examine its current status and its future.
All aspects of the YDC will be reviewed.
The YDC intends to have Natalie Smith, the president of the Yarmouth Farmers’ Market, carry out this strategic planning project.
Through a three-phase project that will span 90 days, the goal is to carry out an assessment of the YDC’s existing model and identify strengths and weaknesses. The strategic planning project will identify gaps and overlaps. It will provide financial options for the YDC’s future and will include consultation with its stakeholders and even with other communities of a similar size.
The ultimate goal is to draw up a strategic plan for the YDC and a roadmap for implementation.
“We recognize that the YDC must broaden its focus from a promotional one to include developmental component steps to revitalize and reenergize the downtown,” said Sandy Dennis during a presentation from the YDC to town council.
Last year in a split vote, council voted not to provide designated funding for the YDC in the town’s budget.
Councillor Ken Langille, who has repeatedly stated he wants to see a business plan from the YDC, wasn’t in favour of the town footing the bill.
“We did say that we wanted the YDC to come back with a five-year plan, we did not say come back and ask us to fund a five-year plan,” said Langille.
Although Langille did not question the credentials of Smith or her ability to carry out the study, Langille did question whether this is something that should be going to tender or a request for proposals, given the price tag associated with it.
There was also some question as to why the Waterfront Development Corporation – which has been tasked by the town to carry out downtown revitalization – wouldn’t fund the study itself.
Meanwhile, Councillor Dan MacIsaac repeated a familiar mantra that he has in all discussions and debates about the YDC. He does not think the organization provides the best bang for the taxpayers’ dollars and he didn’t support the motion because he said he foresees the YDC coming back to the town in the future asking for funding for its operations.
As has been the case in the past when issues relating to the YDC have been discussed at the town council table, the debate was long and at times the tone between councillors was sour.
Towards the end of the debate Councillor Neil MacKenzie questioned Deputy Mayor Byron Boudreau about why he had resigned from the YDC board two days earlier.
Voting in favour of the motion to recommend that town council fund the YDC study were Boudreau, Dares, Councillor Martin Pink and Mayor Phil Mooney.
MacKenzie accused Boudreau of resigning from the YDC board so he could vote on the YDC strategic study proposal and not be in a conflict of interest.
“I find it very convenient that today a motion to fund the YDC is made and . . . he resigned from the board,” MacKenzie said.
Boudreau said there was nothing improper about his resignation from the YDC board, nor was there anything improper about his participation in the discussion and vote on Thursday.
Boudreau told council he had resigned as a director of the YDC on Tuesday – two days earlier. As of Friday noon, the day after the vote, he was still listed as a director of the YDC on the province's Registry of Joint Stocks Companies.
