The following open letter to Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams and town council was submitted for publication:

Re Budget Discussions: Ted Rogers Memorial Centre?

Whereas the Alder Street Recreation Centre, was in the beginning, and continues to be, a drain of taxpayers' money, would the town do the proper thing and privatize the complex?

Visitors can see that from Monday through Friday the Library, Pools and Ice surfaces are under-used. In the summer the pads are not lacrossefriendly. The mould problems have apparently cost one-half million collars so far!

Alliston has the correct idea by building ice pads, and restaurants, without adding a swimming pool, which has probably caused mould in the structure at Alder Street. Perhaps corporations such as Rogers, Pepsi, Coca-Cola or Loblaws, with the town giving a tax break and offering to hire the employees that are presently working at the complex.

Also, would the Mayor and Council take a good look at the Fergus complex?

They have events yearround that draw thousands of visitors. For example, the Scottish Festival, Trade Shows and Motor and Trucking Shows, and they have hockey and lacrosse!

2009 will prove to be one of the worst years for Orangeville economically since I moved here 38 years ago. Our only hope is to have the tax increase cut to 3%, which by the way, is what council should ask for in their salary increase. That may allow families, and especially seniors, to stay in their own homes.
Thomas Kelly
Orangeville