HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Only a few days after sending out postcards to concert promoters offering the popular Halifax Common as a free venue, Mayor Peter Kelly is getting some gruff for changing his tune.
Postcards sent by the Halifax Regional Municipality stated that they “will provide the Common at no cost to the concert promoter and waiving the cost of municipal services when concert attendance is 40,000+.” The services include police, fire, parks, waste removal, medical and transit services.
But Kelly’s postcards have already been changed, with the wording now stating that the city is “prepared to offset some or all” of the costs, no longer offering the completely free locale.
Kelly’s original intent was to “let concert promoters know the city is "open for business. I haven't seen it done before, that I know of. For us, we're always looking at new initiatives to try to attract some potential acts here to HRM.”
But deputy mayor Sue Uteck has told reporters that Kelly’s plan was never approved by the city council, and could prove impossible for the city to cover.
“We don't get any information about anything at City Hall anymore. What he's doing, this is full re-election mode,” Uteck said. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
