From today's Free Press:

City hall is planning to offer a steep discount to the Winnipeg Football Club for the fees charged for its charter bus service to events at the Investors Group Field stadium.

The discounted offer came after six months of negotiations when Blue Bombers team officials told the city they were not prepared to pay the full charter transit fees, which sources said cost the team $1.3 million in 2013.

Information provided to councillors at a private seminar earlier this week outlined the city’s offer to the Blue Bombers, which includes:

A discount of 42.3 per cent off of Winnipeg Transit’s charter rate in 2014, rising to 44.7 per cent in 2015.

The discount will cost the city $750,000 for 2014; and $950,000 in 2015.

The discount will only be offered if the province agrees to cover 50 per cent of the discount.

Wade Miller, football team president and CEO, said he spent the past six months negotiating the deal with city hall, adding the new rate is good for the team, its fans and the city.

Miller said he understood the deal will be presented to council at Wednesday meeting.

“We can’t sustain paying $1.1 million to $1.3 million (for transit services) every year,” Miller said. “So we negotiated an agreement with the City of Winnipeg.”

It certainly would not surprise me if the snubbing of Katz buddy had something to do with this.  But I'd have to hear the actual arguments against supporting it.

 

If it costs transit money to offer this discount, then that is a reasonable argument to save taxpayers money.  But even if transit breaks even on the deal, it's a community service initiative on multiple counts, good PR and gives transit marketing opportunities to a pretty captive audience.

Just listened to Miller commenting on the City Hall vote to not accept the Transit deal.

The very deal the City Hall's rep had countered with to Miller's proposal.

 

So, to be straight…Miller proposed a deal involving school buses and transit buses..to which the City rep made a counter proposal, then, the City, for some reason, rejected the same deal that was proposed to Miller.

Now, Miller has to scramble and try to set up his original deal using school buses, and some sort of Transit?

 

It just must be so much fun dealing with politicians…on any level.

 

Hear miller talking to Adler (5min) about this hear(sic)….

 

https://soundcloud.com/thecharlesadlershow/bomber-transit-deal-rejected?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

Wasn't it the City's proposal that they were going with ?

Hopefully some type of deal can be worked out, or maybe the Bombers should invest in some shuttles as well.

@DarrinBauming: MT @MetroBee: Fielding asked about today's denial of cash for Bombers, Katz said Bombers in a robust cash situation and can afford to pay.

@DarrinBauming: MT @MetroBee: Fielding asked about today's denial of cash for Bombers, Katz said Bombers in a robust cash situation and can afford to pay.

I think that helps confirm in my mind that this is sour grapes on Sammy's part.

 

The issue isnt whether the Bombers can afford to pay.  The same "robust" Bombers who couldnt afford to make their debt servicing payment this year.  The Bombers' position is that they want to pay what everyone else pays for transit service, not the "full priced" charter fee.

 

And while it does impact the Bombers if there was no special public transport for the games, it is absolutely a city issue.

 

Whats next, is Sammy going to make the police unavailable to South Winnipeg and the increased need for them around IGF events?

 

Will he disallow the changing of road lanes to "transit" designation during games?

 

Don't Cross The Boss, especially when he's a miserable, bitter little Napolean.

So now the Board is costing the Bombers an extra $500,000 in transit costs because they didn't want an opinionated outsider to join their little club.  Wonderful.

So now the Board is costing the Bombers an extra $500,000 in transit costs because they didn't want an opinionated outsider to join their little club.  Wonderful.

You're looking at this wrong. Sam Katz is a criminal. He was attempting to use taxpayers money to try and buy his buddy onto the Bombers BOD. That's how Sammy works...he's a criminal.

Who owns the stadium? If this is how the city wants to operate, considering the U of M location was probably the Bombers last choice for location but had it forced on them by politicians, then they should at least have full ownership of the facility if they're going to get screwed over every time a politician has a bad few monhts.

 

Anyone remember last year when the team was terrible and suddenly Seligner decided to crow about how the province should have more control over the team if they weren't going to be able to pay their debts?  Just months after they were all smiling away at the grand opening taking all the credit they could get their hands on.

 

So now the Board is costing the Bombers an extra $500,000 in transit costs because they didn't want an opinionated outsider to join their little club.  Wonderful.

You're looking at this wrong. Sam Katz is a criminal. He was attempting to use taxpayers money to try and buy his buddy onto the Bombers BOD. That's how Sammy works...he's a criminal.

 

 

Really?  How much taxpayer money did Sam Katz offer to get Rabb on the Board?

Does anyone on city council realize that the Bombers first home game is supposed to be in less than two weeks.  I sure hope there's enough time to get it figured out. Maybe the Goldeyes have a game that day too...

So now the Board is costing the Bombers an extra $500,000 in transit costs because they didn't want an opinionated outsider to join their little club.  Wonderful.

You're looking at this wrong. Sam Katz is a criminal. He was attempting to use taxpayers money to try and buy his buddy onto the Bombers BOD. That's how Sammy works...he's a criminal.

 

Really?  How much taxpayer money did Sam Katz offer to get Rabb on the Board?

So now the Board is costing the Bombers an extra $500,000 in transit costs because they didn't want an opinionated outsider to join their little club.  Wonderful.

You're looking at this wrong. Sam Katz is a criminal. He was attempting to use taxpayers money to try and buy his buddy onto the Bombers BOD. That's how Sammy works...he's a criminal.

 

Really?  How much taxpayer money did Sam Katz offer to get Rabb on the Board?

Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

 

Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

 

 

Actually, David Asper and Brock Bulbuck spent $500,000 of the Bombers' money to maintain full control over the Board.

 

Shame on the BOD for allowing their personal issues to cost the club this much money.

 

 

Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

 

 

Actually, David Asper and Brock Bulbuck spent $500,000 of the Bombers' money to maintain full control over the Board.

 

Shame on the BOD for allowing their personal issues to cost the club this much money.

 

 

Or the BOD spent $500k to not give in and play Katz' game of crony politics.

Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

 

Actually, David Asper and Brock Bulbuck spent $500,000 of the Bombers' money to maintain full control over the Board.

 

Shame on the BOD for allowing their personal issues to cost the club this much money.

So you think it was a good idea to allow Sammy to abuse his power and force one of his (unqualified as he has no connections to the City of Winnipeg) buddies onto the Bombers BOD, in exchange for $500,000 in taxpayer dollars? Okay.

 

 

 

Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

 

 

Actually, David Asper and Brock Bulbuck spent $500,000 of the Bombers' money to maintain full control over the Board.

 

Shame on the BOD for allowing their personal issues to cost the club this much money.

 

 

Or the BOD spent $500k to not give in and play Katz' game of crony politics.

 

 

And you think this was a good investment?  Wow.  To keep ONE guy off the Board.  Yes, brilliant financial management.  Definitely no personal politics involved in that one.

 

 

Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

 

Actually, David Asper and Brock Bulbuck spent $500,000 of the Bombers' money to maintain full control over the Board.

 

Shame on the BOD for allowing their personal issues to cost the club this much money.

 

So you think it was a good idea to allow Sammy to abuse his power and force one of his (unqualified as he has no connections to the City of Winnipeg) buddies onto the Bombers BOD, in exchange for $500,000 in taxpayer dollars? Okay.

 

 

What difference does it make???  If they get someone from the City of Winnipeg, it is still going to be one of Sam Katz's friends.  You know, since he is the Mayor of the city?  All this is, is the Board of Directors pissing money down the drain because the three guys in charge can't allow someone else with money and influence onto their Board.

So $5 extra per fan on the bus? I'd pay that to avoid trying to park in that mess ...

Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

Actually, David Asper and Brock Bulbuck spent $500,000 of the Bombers' money to maintain full control over the Board.

Shame on the BOD for allowing their personal issues to cost the club this much money.

So you think it was a good idea to allow Sammy to abuse his power and force one of his (unqualified as he has no connections to the City of Winnipeg) buddies onto the Bombers BOD, in exchange for $500,000 in taxpayer dollars? Okay.

What difference does it make??? If they get someone from the City of Winnipeg, it is still going to be one of Sam Katz's friends. You know, since he is the Mayor of the city? All this is, is the Board of Directors pissing money down the drain because the three guys in charge can't allow someone else with money and influence onto their Board.

So you think the BOD should just be spineless and play into Sammy's criminal game? The BOD recommended 3 individuals with the City of Winnipeg, based on their position within the City and their qualifications. Sammy has ignored the Bombers on those recommendations. Thankfully Sammy's only got a few months left.

Is this over a buck extra per ride?

 

It is over 1/2 million dollars per year.

The BOD made their decision regardless of the transit deal. Obviously.

But there certainly is an appearance of Sammy not acting in the same manner.

The BOD are perfectly permitted to make their decisions on new board members. We can debate that but this is a different topic.

I just really want public sentiment to turn on the city not the bombers when transportation is a freaking disaster.

Another clue that Sammy isn't running again

Also, didn't the Goldeyes benefit from some city owned lots? Were they not in a robust financial position at the time?

Make no mistake, Sammy is as slimy as they come.

Sam's a slimebag but there are 2 slimebags running the Bombers too.  Sam Katz is on his way out, but the Bombers are stuck with David Asper and Brock Bulbuck until 2024.  Term limits don't mean a whole lot when they last 12 years... at which point I'm sure the bylaws will be re-written again so the terms can be extended.

I'm a lot happier with Asper's performance on the Bombers BOD than Sammy's as mayor.

I'm not a huge fan of Asper, but I have no problem with Brock Bulbuck.

Atomic are you sure about those term dates? I thought Aspers time on the BOD was up soon.

I'm not a huge fan of Asper, but I have no problem with Brock Bulbuck.

Atomic are you sure about those term dates? I thought Aspers time on the BOD was up soon.

 

Term length is 3 years.  Members can serve only 2 consecutive terms, unless they are a chair, vice chair, or past chair.  Then they can serve 4 terms back-to-back (12 years).  It is unclear when Asper's term began but I believe 2012 is correct, making 2024 the last year he is eligible.

 

 

Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

 

 

Actually, David Asper and Brock Bulbuck spent $500,000 of the Bombers' money to maintain full control over the Board.

 

Shame on the BOD for allowing their personal issues to cost the club this much 

 

 

 

 

Approximately $500k; the difference between $6 and $11 per Bomber fan that needs public transportation, all season long. Good on the Bombers BOD for not playing Sammy's game.

 

Actually, David Asper and Brock Bulbuck spent $500,000 of the Bombers' money to maintain full control over the Board.

 

Shame on the BOD for allowing their personal issues to cost the club this much money.

 

So you think it was a good idea to allow Sammy to abuse his power and force one of his (unqualified as he has no connections to the City of Winnipeg) buddies onto the Bombers BOD, in exchange for $500,000 in taxpayer dollars? Okay.

 

 

What difference does it make???  If they get someone from the City of Winnipeg, it is still going to be one of Sam Katz's friends.  You know, since he is the Mayor of the city?  All this is, is the Board of Directors pissing money down the drain because the three guys in charge can't allow someone else with money and influence onto their Board.

 

Oh give it a rest....they were supposed to know that the City would play dirty pool because they didn't sanction a member on the board who was a friend of Sammy's and had no position on City Council or the Administration?