September 7, 2007

No reason for Richmond Hill to be embarrassed

Re: Markham saves Honda deal, Aug. 23.

I found it disappointing that, having spent a considerable amount of time with your reporter giving him the facts, he chose not to report any in his story.

While I appreciate a former employee of Honda would have some insight into its corporate culture, the often quoted Richard Powers was not involved in any of the transactions between Honda and Richmond Hill.

Honda purchased land in Richmond Hill before coming to the town with a development proposal. We had a public meeting on the proposal within six months of its application that imposed one condition on Honda.

I believe it was in regards to that condition that preferential treatment was said to be lacking.

The proposal asked to change the already approved road pattern on the property and Honda was asked to negotiate with the two neighbouring property owners as to how it was to deal with those changes as it affected established plans of subdivision.

As a result of those negotiations, it assumed many more responsibilities relating to a bridge across the Rouge, remnant parcels of land and the road alignment itself as it interfaced with Major Mackenzie Drive.

All of the items of concern expressed by Honda that drove its decision to leave were a result of its own negotiations.

We, as a town, cannot and would not subsidize any major corporation at the expense of our taxpayers. At no time did Honda employ any planning staff or consultants, despite our best efforts to convince it to do so to receive advice from people who develop property as their profession.

Honda has chosen to move on and we wish it well.

I just wanted to have the facts known so the people of Richmond Hill know we have nothing to be embarrassed about.

Dave Barrow
Mayor, Richmond Hill

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