Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - June 1, 2000, Winnipeg, Manitoba June 2000 Winnipeg free press Tom Frow ill the fret press Domo coupons Tyndall and Gimli areas ready for the Chicks country musics hottest act kick off their tour tonight in Winnipeg d1 piling on the Armour is More equipment a safety measure or a Hazard c1 the Cloudy with 70 Chance of High 13 4 v garbage Day 2 schooldays inside fans bid Farewell to hockey legend a who who of hockey and politics joined family Mem friends and fans yester Day to pay their final respects to Montreal canadians hockey legend Maurice see stories schools out at u of w a 63yearold for Mer nurse head lines convocation at the University of Winnipeg this the Retiree won the governor Gener als Gold medal for her performance earning a masters degree in history b6 Well water cleared tests show Well water is not to blame for the Coli infection afflicting two Elkhorn area who have been on dialysis but Are expected to fully officials Are awaiting test results on soil and food from the cattle farm where they live a3 i business heading for trillion Canadas re hot Economy is growing at a rate that for the first time will take it past the Mark this exceeding but most economists expect there will be at least one More Rise in interest despite Low inflation 17 exclusive meddling in land deals costs City millions audit rips councillors a team of City of Winnipeg administrators led by City auditor Shannon Hunt has spent 18 months investigating the Way City Hall conducts real estate its obtained by City Hall reporter David is a damning indict ment of political inter Ference and millions in wasted tax Dol Here is the first of Briens political bungling and inter Ference in civic land deals have Cost taxpayers millions of Dol Lars and saddled the City with a reputation As an inept and unreliable place to do a report obtained by the free press that one of the conclusions of an 18monthlong audit that Calls for sweeping changes in the Way the City conducts real estate mismanagement of the key portfolio was so bad that some members of the development Industry choose not to do business with the says a draft copy of the audit and there Are disturbing references in the report to ethical favouritism and leaks of confidential the final report will be released later this once the City has devised communications strategy that will emphasize the positive changes that Are being the investigation was led by City auditor Shannon Hunt and a team of five Gail the cites chief administrative ordered the probe in november and mayor Glen Murray has complained in the past about councillors being too involved in land As Well As the absence of a policy Frame work to guide the 150page document is a scathing indictment of the Way the City conducts property deals and it faults both bureaucrats and their political continued please see meddling a12 editorial delusional dealings a10 Wayne Lowacki Winnipeg free press an 18monthlong audit Calls for sweeping changes in the Way the City conducts real estate Garth Steek complained about an plodding what could go did go wrong Mike Oshaughnessy led the property and development committee in mayor Glen Murray complained about councillors being too involved in land City auditor Shannon Hunt began her investigation into the property depart ment 18 months ago and found that just about everything that could go did go wrong in 1998 and in addition to analysing 20 land transactions and two leases in the Audi tors interviewed civil ser vants and heres a summary of the 150page audits conclusions i councillors were too involved in prop erty undermining civil servants and creating the impression that the Only Way to get things done at City Hall is to circumvent the i the civil service failed in its Job to pro vide councillors with Clear reports and recommendations that outlined the Busi Ness Case for a particular course of i there is Mutual disrespect Between some councillors and civil servants in the property i there Are no policies on whether land should be sold by Public or directly to an interested creating an impression that some developers Are favoured Over i there is no policy on whether the cites property assets should be used As incentives for economic development and the restoration of heritage i the City May pay too much for its leased space and probably has too much i the needs of developers Arent being met in an efficient and effective i lease commencement dates Arent coordinated with departmental i the cites Sale and leasing policies Arent perceived to be open and i in 20 transactions the Audi tors said they were unable to provide Assurance that All transactions represent sound financial i it is unclear if City taxpayers received value for Money from the transactions i real estate management processes require improvement to ensure effectiveness and i ethics guidelines for employees and councillors need to be strengthened to hold them honour overdue for flying Ace first world War hero Billy Barker recognized 70 years after death by Helen fall Dong Barker shot Down 50 planes Billy Barker is finally getting his the Canadian forces snowbirds will soar Over the first world War flying aces Home town today after Parks Canada unveils a plaque at the Dauphin Airport recognizing the Victo Ria Cross Winner As a person of nation Al the acknowledgement comes 70 years after barkers death in a peace time plane crash and follows relentless lobbying by dauphins an River my inky its Long said bark ers younger brother who still lives in Canadas most decorated service Man shot Down 50 planes and barely survived single handed combat with a Large Force of German aircraft in after the William bark or became the first director of the Royal Canadian air where he insisted that pilots be equipped with it was an Issue that angered Barker and others during the War because enemy flyers had while British leaders refused to Issue them to the thinking was that pilots would be More 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