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Be the change you wish to see

July 4, 2013   ·   0 Comments

To Council Members for the Town of New Tecumseth:

It is with great disappointment that I write this letter. This morning I received in the mail the results from Tender T13–21 that Trillium Ford Lincoln Ltd had bid on and found out that we had lost being awarded this tender by $586.47. What compounded my disappointment was that Trillium Ford Lincoln Ltd had lost this tender to a supplier from Brantford, Ontario.

This is the second such tender that I have received in recent weeks with the first tender being T13–19 which was awarded to the same Brantford, Ontario supplier. Upon closer look at this tender I realized that the local GM Dealership had lost on this tender as well, by $531.63 per unit.

As you are all aware, Trillium Ford Lincoln Ltd has just recently completed an extensive renovation project to our location in New Tecumseth, focusing on using local companies to help us better serve our community and become an example of positive growth and investment to other businesses. Yes, I benefit from the improvement but so does the Town- development fees in excess of $15,000 higher tax payments, an easement for future water and sanitation development. So why do I open my mail and find out that the Town I operate In, the Town that I pay taxes to, cannot in turn support my business but rather decides to spend tax dollars outside of the community?

Town Council has been very public about opposing a proposed change in zoning along the west Highway 89 corridor by the Township of Adjala–Tosorontio. Part of the argument was that this would negatively impact the Downtown businesses- I find this hypocritical and self serving, especially given the tender results recently received.

Further, every year resources are put aside for BIAs, downtown improvement funds and other ‘stimulus’ projects but your own purchasing actions counter these initiatives. Why bother funding these projects when clearly certain policies followed by Town Staff don’t support success for the local business community.

Each year Trillium Ford Lincoln Ltd spends in excess of $30,000 for sponsorships, donations and fundraisers for a variety of programs including the Nottawasaga Foundation, SMH, Gibson Center, South Simcoe Soccer, local schools, Matthews House Hospice and more. Why should I bother? The example I have just been given with the tender process certainly does not endorse my continuation to support anything where the Town is involved, and that feeling goes against how I want to operate my business. believe that by supporting within the community a stronger community is created.

I would like to see a change, and I hope this letter starts the change.

Because Trillium Ford Lincoln Ltd was contacted by Town Staff for information regarding specifications, vehicle information and equipment combinations, I know that the budgets for these purchases are predetermined. My suggestion is that local businesses be asked to register for tender categories they would be in a position to submit offers for. When a service or item is required these local businesses are contacted to submit their tender response and should these submissions be compliant and meet budget the tender be awarded locally. Should these tenders not meet the budget then the tender be issued publically. If the second round of submissions meet budget, the tender be awarded, if they don’t meet budget obviously the budgetary expectations were unrealistic.

For 37 years the Van’t Spyker family has done business in the Town of Alliston and surrounding area.

We have supported any number of causes over the years financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. We have just made another significant investment into a Town that you as Councillors manage and give direction to.

As a tax payer, business owner and resident I expect a change to occur so that as much of the money spent by the Municipality stays in the Municipality and supports the business community operating within the boundaries of the Town of New Tecumseth. I witnessed the authority of Town Council during the planning process for our renovation- Town Staff takes direction from Council therefore I suggest Council makes a change to the tendering process.

Eric Vant Spyker

General Manager/ Owner

Trillium Ford Lincoln Ltd.

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