What’s wrong with this picture?
After the Sun reported yesterday that the $725-million budget for the north-south line could balloon to almost $900 million, Munter sent a letter to Mayor Bob Chiarelli, renewing his request that the city hire an independent auditor to look at the books to find the project’s true cost.
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Chiarelli went on the defence yesterday, saying the real cost of the project is not $900 million. He said only portions of projects identified as raising the cost of the north-south line are related to building light-rail transit.
He said the list of projects reported in the Sun was “good news,” because portions of the $124 million worth of associated light-rail projects clearly identified in the 2006 budget will save the city money in the future. “We are taking advantage of the O-Train and increasing cost efficiencies substantially over the long haul,” he said.
The light rail system (O-Train) is going to be the issue which Bob Chiarelli will either be best known for, or live in infamy for. But I give him credit, he is plugging away at making sure it happens as hard as he can. So much so, that he has forgotten his grade 4 math.
My 9 year old helped me out with this one, sans calculator.
The O-Train was expected to cost $725 Million dollars.
The list of expenses is almost $900 Million dollars.
Mayor Bob says that $124 Million dollars of the $900 is programs which have already been accounted for through other city plans or will create future efficiencies.
Now for the tough mathematical part.
$900 Million (in overruns)
-$124 Million (mayor’s number which is not part of O-Train costs)
$776 Million
Hmmmmm……$725M has turned into $776M. We haven’t even approved the O-Train and the overrun is already mathematically $51 Million dollars.
I’m excited to see the CFRA poll on the topic indicate that over 86% of those who have voted on the subject think the O-Train should not be approved by the current city council. At last check after well over 2000 votes, 51% want it to wait until after the election, and over 35% want it added to the referendum in November, which means approval would fall to the next city council.
I have a feeling if the O-Train becomes the major election issue, that we will more than likely have a new mayor come November.
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After many years as a rather cautious and bland politican, Chiarelli’s career seems to be imploding with this misguided attempt to build a train. Let’s hope Munter can continue to hold Chiarelli’s feet to the fire, and can convince city council to delay the project until after the election.