This is to bring to the attention of all St. Albert taxpayers the boondoggle for the costs to re-install the plane monument on Taché Street.
This plane that was donated by the St. Albert Lions Club has been located at Tache Street Circle since October 1978. It was subsequently damaged in April 2014 by an unknown vehicle. It was later removed and stored behind Hemingway Place for future re-installation.
The cost of this was a project that has been supported and encouraged primarily by Mayor Nolan Crouse for a considerable time. To the extent that it was proposed to even re-furbish the interior of the plane – that is to be located 25 ft. above ground – to a maximum cost approaching $500,000.
The original estimate to re-install the plane was in the range of $80,000. It was later revised to $400,000 by removing proposed interior re-furbishment. It was finally revised to the present amount of $335,000.
As the plane is only a replica shell for display purposes, it at best might sell as metal scrap for $5,000. (It takes a lot of aluminum to make $100 in scrap metal).
How can we as taxpayers even on the most remote concept justify this expense? When this obscene cost estimate that was proposed by City of St. Albert administration was questioned at City Council level, they were remonstrated by Mayor Crouse to ever question City of St. Albert administration estimates.
At the present time this project is in the final stages of being re-installed by January of this coming year. The final finishing costs are to be completed in Spring 2017. The final costs, among others, include re-decaling the plane for a cost estimate of $15,000.
The taxpayers of St. Albert have a right to question and demand of City of St. Albert administration a detailed breakdown of how this project is finally completed.
How many other projects of this nature have flown under the radar of the taxpayer, just a question?
Sign me – A concerned taxpayer.
W.W. Lowrie, St. Albert
