“So maybe the City can’t forgive the whole $36 grand loan…”

Yes, the City can easily write off the whole entire loan! Apparently it just doesn’t want to! The PGX should forget about the City altogether and start looking for help from private citizens and some corporate sponsorships!

Then remove the words *Prince George* permanently from its name.

Obviously the PAC has the most urgent priority, whereas apparently the PGX has little or none.

Well said Ben! Thank you!

I thought the PAC idea didn’t float in PG as there is not as many interested people as in the PGEX or is this another case of a few key people are interested and again to hell with the majority– What do we need a referendum. I sure hope Sheri Green starts paying attention to the wants of her constituents or her and her whole council will be on the same unemp[loyment line as Christy Clark.

Prince George has been removed from the name, this year 2012 is the last year it will be called the PGX, it will be called BCNE (I believe) standing for British Columbia Northern Exhibition.

The regulars scream to cut expenses….
The regulars scream when expenses are actually cut….
Hypocritical to say the least.

reality: “The regulars scream to cut expenses….
The regulars scream when expenses are actually cut….”

Exactly.

realitycheck/johnnybelt: “The regulars scream to cut expenses….
The regulars scream when expenses are actually cut….
Hypocritical to say the least.”

Or, perhaps there exists a school of thought that is suggesting only that fairness and equality be addressed when dispensing largesse in the form of grants and subsidies to local organizations. One example; Theatre Northwest, and there are others. Nothing wrong with TNW, by all accounts they do a hell of a job, but I don’t agree that the CPG should be subsidizing their operations.
They are not a charity, are they?
It makes the City look cheap and petty to support only certain organizations, while denying worthy functions such as a 100 year old fair.
metalman.

Surefire has it right. The PGX draws a LOT moe people than the PAC ever would. As in the paving of the UNBC connector, it looks like the city only puts money towards its ‘showpieces’.
A tourist to this city asked me why there were so many potholes. I tried to explain. I also said “I wish all the tourists that come here would write letters to the newpaper complaining about it.” She told me that “No. They will just tell their friends and tell them not to come here.” Isn’t that just the greatest tourist promotion I ever heard of? City, are you listening?

That’s right reality/johnny. Cut the expenses.
Cut the raise to city council.
Cut the $118,000 to TNW.
Cut the PAC, IMMEDIATELY.
Cut th BS tax break downtown.
Cut the friggin flower baskets to DBIA.
Cut Stolz’ travel expenses.
Cut Green’s assistant.

This petty mayor will support her pet projects and to hell with everyone else, no matter their validity. What a disgrace. Leadership? I don’t think so.

This amounts to strike what (?) in the 7 months of this council’s tenure. Pitiful.

Sort of off topic, but the PAC will be built, and I doubt anyone can stop it. Here’s how it will be done.
First, we are paying extra property taxes for the winter games.
Next, the winter games will be held using venues built or supplied by others at no cost.
The labour will be mostly free, as massive amounts of volunteers are used for these games.
Tickets will be sold, without any significant corresponding expenses because they’ve been paid already with property tax assessments and government grants.
So, the winter games society will have this big fat pot of cash at the end.
By rights, it should be returned to the city taxpayers who paid extra each year to fund the games, but it won’t.
It will build the PAC – or at least, cover off the city’s contribution – and there’s nothing you can do to stop it, because this isn’t borrowed money, this is a “surplus” from the games, and council doesn’t have to go to referendum, reverse or otherwise, because they aren’t borrowing. If I’m wrong, someone please show me where.

No question that governments of all levels waste money in many ways.

No matter where you try to save money or cut costs, someone will think it’s ‘unfair’.

“They (TNW) are not a charity, are they?”

Actually, they are a charity. Most theatre operations in Canada are charitable organizations. It comes under the “guise” of “teaching/awareness raising” to the community so that donors can get a relatively large tax write-off. It is the same in the USA, in fact, to such an extent that with the kind of philanthropy that there is in the USA, there is proportionately less money given by governments for such projects than in Canada.

Of course, there is some loss of opportunity to collect taxes on gifted money to charitable organizations.

Interestingly while operating a theatre is a charitable activity in Canada, building a theatre facility is not.

“Surefire has it right. The PGX draws a LOT moe people than the PAC ever would”

Then it should be fully self sustaining like people expect a PAC to be. Or, is it okay to subsidize mini donuts, livestock and rickety rides and not do the same for a stand up comedian, a symphony or a children’s choir?

“Or is the refusal really all about pay back for the opposition expressed by the Ex when some members of Council floated the idea of building another Kin Center without talking to the Ex although the plan would have seen the City take some of the site used by the Exhibition.”

Nailed it. Just like supporters have/are/will receive their payback and they KNOW who they are…the reverse is true…vocal dissenters are being taught a lesson.

Otherwise, there is absolutely no reason that there could not have been at least some decent measure of respect/support for a century year old organization that has worked to bring the community together keeping it as open and accessible to all and as affordable as possible ($5 to $10 bucks admission is to much – really?); an event that hosts 4-H and highlights agriculture; arts, culture & heritage; generates tourism and gives this town something to plan and go to, look forward to bringing family and out of town guests to, enjoy music and concerts, have a cold one, enjoy a candy apple, see the handi-works and quilts, giant horses to bunny rabbits for C-sakes, etc. etc. etc.

There is money all right, it is all about priorities. Yes, the roads need to be fixed, they have been crap for ten years and will not be fixed tomorrow – it will take the next decade to catch up and get back on a good maintenance track. The core review is a joke – excellent premise – but over priced and under managed. the other projects that have been a colossal waste of money with dismal ROI benefiting the few that really don’t need it in the first place, is legendary and well documented on this site by others.

Meanwhile, life must go one.

No, the denial is out of spite and it is payback.

The PGX will not get another centennial in the life time of most of us reading this right now. There are no do-overs. To not extend some measure of support for an organization that has and continues to give unmeasurable return and has asked for so little over the past century…it is despicable.

FYI Ben, the land the fair used to own and signed over to the City encompassed the soccer fields and the city works yard off Ospika, to all the way over to the rodeo grounds and back to the tree line past the ice oval. In return to use a portion of the fairgrounds every year to host an exhibition.

If every person that goes to the PGX this year pays an extra dollar they will make up that 10,000 and if the weather permits maybe more.

Jack up the price and put the extra in the bank for future lawsuits.

Good idea NoWay, we are there. Maybe a great big cowboy boot? Nailed down, of course;)

http://princegeorge.ca/cityhall/mayorcouncil/councilagendasminutes/agendas/2010/2010_05_17/documents/Deleg_PG_Exhibition_ppt.pdf

That is a link to the PGX presentation to the City which outlines the history of who gave what.

With respect to the land

Post World War II, the Federal Government deeded “Lot A of District Lot 2508 and 2611, Cariboo District, Plan 5802, in the Prince George Assessment District” (Land) to the PGAHA.

July 14, 1964, the Association assigned its right, title and interest of the Land “together with all buildings, structures, fences and other improvements” to the City of Prince George for the sum of $47,765.41 and a lease agreement that, among other things, ensured the PGAHA would have use of the Land, at no charge, for the “holding of an Agricultural Fair or Exhibition and for allied or collateral shows, sales, contests and events generally and usually sponsored or promoted or held by an agricultural Fair or Exhibition Association…”

That appears to be the orginal agreement with the transfer of land and buildings to the City. There have been subsequent amendments, but the PGX was compensated for the original transfer.

NMG, the stand up comedian, symphony and children’s choir already have venues in which to perform in this city.
The $50+ million facility is not needed at this time.
Its a flowery puff puff piece desired by a few who consider themselves to be above the majority.

If its needed and desired, put it to a vote. Simple.