Audit Of Windsor Tunnel Commission Needed
You have a simple request for information from a Government Department or agency. Don't you just hate it when some bureaucrat tries to ignore you, or not give you the information, or gives you the run around, or, when you persevere, to shuffle you off to someone else in the hopes that you will go away.
I wanted some information about the Duty Free Shop at the Tunnel and thought I would call the Windsor Tunnel Commission for help. The first challenge was to find a phone number. After failing to find one online or in the phone book, I called 3-1-1. I received a number from them but the wrong one: The Detroit Windsor Tunnel, not the Tunnel Commission. I guess they did not know the difference. After calling back, I was given a name and fax number. The exchange of faxes and emails is disclosed below.
Now the real reason I am posting this is the gentleman whose name I was given is the City Auditor. How he fits into the WTC I have no idea. I was at Council when the discussion revolved around doing an "operational audit" at the Library. Mr. Dunbar was there and he supported the need for an audit.
Well, Mr. Dunbar, I think, had better run to the City's Audit Committee and demand an audit of WTC. I cannot believe that their filing system is so bad that he could not find out any documentation about the rent reduction although it is in their Minutes. The part that he did not know is that I already had some information (see below) and I just wanted to find if there was any more.
Let me see, I think I will fax my third request to the Chair of the Windsor Tunnel Commission now. That's the Mayor if you did not know and I will let you know if I get an answer.
- By Fax
Date: January 5, 2006
To: Windsor Tunnel Commission
ATTN: Mike Dunbar
I recall reading that the Windsor Tunnel Commission and/or City Council agreed to reduce the rent of the Tunnel Duty Free Shop but I cannot find the reference now.
Would you please provide me with the minutes of the WTC or City Council that authorized this reduction. I thought the rent reduction had taken place for several years so would you be good enough to provide the minutes for each reduction.
- Second Notice was sent January 18 along with a Vociemail message
- ---- Original Message -----
From: "Dunbar, Mike"
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 3:11 PM
Subject: Duty Free Shop Rent
Mr. Arditti
Regarding your letter of 5, January, 2006, please be advised that I am unable to find any documentation or confirmation that the Duty Free Shop rent was reduced by Council and/or the Windsor Tunnel Commission.
Regards,
Mike Dunbar, City Auditor
- -----Original Message-----
From: OJIBWAY NOW! [mailto:arditti@sympatico.ca]
Sent: January 18, 2006 3:29 PM
To: Dunbar, Mike
Subject: Re: Duty Free Shop Rent
Importance: High
I was told by 3-1-1 that you were the contact for the WTC. I do not know if that is correct or not. If not, please forward this on to the proper person.
I am rather disappointed in your reply to be direct. I already have some information:
http://www.citywindsor.ca/DisplayAttach.asp?AttachID=1236
The Minutes show:
"That the extension of the Duty Free Shop's Casino Discount Program tourism initiative for July, 2004, which effects a reduced rental rate of 6.5% to net program sales before discount BE APPROVED; and That this approval BE TRANSMITTED to City Council for ratification."
"Moved by Councillor Jones, seconded by Councillor Wilson, M183-2004 That Report No. 4 of the Windsor Tunnel Commission of its meeting held September 23, 2004 BE ADOPTED as presented. Carried."
I cannot believe you could not find this information at the least. As Auditor of the City, it may be that the Audit Committee should be aware of the poor record keeping so that it can ask for WTC's records to be audited by an external auditor as well as that of the Library Board!
I would again ask for the information requested!
Ed Arditti BA, LL.B, LL.M
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Dunbar, Mike"
To: "'OJIBWAY NOW!'"
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 3:46 PM
Subject: RE: Duty Free Shop Rent
Mr. Arditti
Thank you for the clarification.
I believe you would find it more advantageous to request that type of information from the City Clerk.
Regards,
Mike Dunbar
City Auditor - ----- Original Message -----
From: "OJIBWAY NOW!"
To: "Dunbar, Mike"
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 3:55 PM
Subject: Re: Duty Free Shop Rent
I would have thought that WTC should have this information at its fingertips since it is their business. ie it looks like what I require is set out in WTC minutes. Not all of WTC's minutes are set out in Council minutes as you know.
Ed Arditti BA, LL.B, LL.M
It is hilarious. The representative from WTC telling me to go to the Clerk's Department to get information that he should have readily available. And about rental rates too.
The problem for me as a taxpayer is that the WTC rep is also the City Auditor. While he does not seem to have any concern with what appears to me to be poor record keeping at WTC, I do. Perhaps it is time for the in depth audits of all City departments to identify inefficiencies and implement sound management principles that Eddie promised us when he became Mayor to "clear the air" as was suggested with the Library Board!
If it is a good idea for one City organization, then why not for another or all of them.
Hmmmm aren't these the people that gave us the Park 'N Go deal that is now in receivership and that may cost the City up to $3 million? Wasn't Eddie's concern on Face-To-Face whether proper steps were in place to protect the City's interests? Wasn't the issue internal City controls? Do we still have the potential now for another MFP? We need the air cleared right away.
If the City will not act, then the Audit Committee must. It is time to find out what is going on at the WTC!
posted by JoeBlog at 1:00 a.m.
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