If The Brechin Sewer Expansion Is a Can't Miss Opportunity....

..... why then aren't any private investors interested in investing in it?

I came across this article on the web today about the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP) investing in sewage systems in Chile. The article also notes of a similar investiment in the UK.

Talk about "actions speaking louder than words". When the OTPP talks, people listen. Why do you think teachers have such a comfortable retirement? The OTPP takes money and turns it into a lot more money. Why do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs are so terrible? The OTPP controls some of the Maple Leafs owners' debt, and demand profitable returns and not Stanley Cups, but that's another story.

To date all the township has offered up to Ramara's ratepayers are lots and lots of happy words, and very little in substance, in the form of tangible investors, willing to stake their $$$ in the venture. Why should they when they can get the township to pick up the tab for them. Promises of growth and development charges being sufficient to fund the undeveloped portion of the expansion.

When I asked the Mayor, at the May public meeting, "what if development does not cover these costs?" "No worries", was the response, "that will never happen."

"Sorry Mr. Mayor I have to worry." If you're unwilling to create a bylaw that would specifically prohibit the use of any general ratepayers' tax dollars, for the BSP causes me to worry. How this township handled its' last mega-project, the McNabb Drain causes me to worry. (Readers should note that ligitation is pending, with the township over this blundered project, and the township is not willing to discuss the matter. I have to assume it is in regard to their unwillingness to pay for the excessive cost overuns, as mandated in a bylaw past in Feb. '07).

The fact that private developers are not willing to give their written assurances that quarantee their desire to invest, causes me to worry. The fact that when I asked a member of Ramara's Chamber of Commerce, (who endorsed the BSP) to divulge his list of potential investors, and he would not, causes me to worry.

Most of all the fact that an body like the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan does not see this a sound investment tells me the investment isn't a "can't miss" opportunity.

Ramara's general ratepayers should start collecting their pennies now.