HawthorneVillager.com

Just read the article about the Art Centre classic piano in the Champion.

http://www.insidehalton.com/community/m ... cle/967137

So we're going to pay $115,000.00 for a Steinway for an Arts Centre that going to be draining revenue for years when we're being levied for hospital expansion dollars? With the original $100k marked for the hospital expansion plus this $115k, we're not that far off from the $275k-280k that the levy will raise.

What gives Councillors? If there was this urgency and great need to show commitment to the Province, why isn't the Town Council required to show the same commitment to the expansion that you're demanding ratepayers show?

Transparency issues aside, I have no problem with the Town purchasing a handmade piano that will be a collector's item and a source of pride for Milton. I personally think it's a great idea and investment though I do wonder how local artists will have access to it and how much use it will get from visiting performers. My issue is why now when taxpayers are being told the Hospital is the priority and we need to give more. Could this purchase not have waited until after we secured $$ from the Porvince for the hospital? After all, if we can fund all of these luxuries ( and it is a luxury) obviously the Province doesn't need to cough up the dough.

And another thing, couldn't that money be used on roadworks, public transit improvement, keeping the Bruce library alive a little longer, Youth programs or a host of other things that have a direct impact on the people living and working in Milton? I'm beginning to think Milton is developing some real class issues with money going to private clubs and posh posh pianos instead of to the meeting the needs of the aged and infirmed or the youth at risk.

What the hell Town Council?

Thank you for posting this. Absolutely ridiculous.

Thanks for the post Annie.

What was not noted in the article wasa the vote was 6-4 against the deferal. You might want to ask those councillors who voted for this purchase.

By my count those councillors who wanted to defer this purchase for more information and alternatives were Councillors Nelson, Cluett, Malbouef and myself.

On a related matter I forwarded this article to our MP's asking why Halton could not also be considered for federal funding for area hospitals.

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/art ... pital?bn=1

Colin Best
Local & regional councillor
Wards 2,3,4,5 North of Derry road.
Milton/Halton

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Become a Fan! Visit my website! Email: colin.best@milton.ca Twitter Follow! 905-878-3623

Interesting...starting to see more and more where our councillors lean on the political spectrum.

Seriously!! I read that last night too, unbelievable. How come the "town folk" doesn't get to hear about these sorts of ridiculous decisions until after they've been made?

"ohh but it's a Steinway...big name musicians only perform on the most expensive pianos.."
Hey guess what...big name musicians don't perform in places like Milton.
Seriously, this'll probably be used for my little cousins piano recital in a couple years.

This is right up there with that million dollar glass wall in town hall.
What a fu*king joke.

Zeeshan, I would love to hear why you voted for this?!?

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We can agree to disagree, but let's not be disagreeable!

seems a bit lavish on the surface, but the simple fact is milton has more than one priority. Some of them have to move in tandem and the money has to come from somewhere.

What I really dont want is us spending 50k now on a piano then 5 yrs later spending 120k on the piano we should have bought 5 years ago. Without knowing all the details it strikes me as a good long term investment. As milton grows it very well may be able to attract big names, I'm not talking about pop stars, I'm talking about actual artists. I would love for the arts center to be able to attract acts that I would have to go downtown or to stratford to see, that might not happen in the short term, but planning for it in the long term I think is a good idea.

While I support the tax levy 100% for the hospital at the same time I would argue it is borderline trivial compared to what some other areas are committing to. Our current levy is in the same ball park as this piano but the hospital expansion vs a piano isnt.

I have to agree with rock80 on this one. The costs of purchasing the piano now vs. renting one for several years before purchasing as I recall made the academics of purchasing now pretty straightforward. I also don't think this is a hospital vs. piano issue. We committed to accelerating the Arts Center to obtain federal funding, which personally I think was a mistake as it put is in the current position of now having to accelerate all the associated purchases and operational costs. Now we're dealing with the consequinces. I'm happy to see them put in a first class instrument that could pay off down the road with higher quality artists as we're the only one in the region - a prudent choice to set us apart in a competitive market.
FYI - the Living Arts Center in Misissauga has 4 pianos including a Steinway. It would be interesting to know how often it's used and if they've found it helps attract performances.

Abi, be careful what you're comparing. I know from my musical days that within a brand you can have "introductory" instruments and "professional concert quality instruments" and they are VERY different in terms of the sound they produce. I still remember getting the opportunity to play a $2000 flute and was stunned on how different it was than my $500 one - considered a very good quality instrument for the level I was at - let alone an introductory $100 one. I have no doubt professional concert grand pianos are the same.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I seconded that motion and yes...Colin you were accurate with those who voted to defer this purchase to get more information. (Cluett, Nelson, Best, Malboeuf)

I completley understand that the Arts Centre needs something and according to what weve been told, about 90% of the artists who we will be trying to get to perform, demand in their contract that they play on a Steinway. I get that totally, dont really understand it but...thats the market were dealing with.

We wanted to defer the purchase so that we can fully look at other options, other dealers etc. Its not like you can only buy a Steinway from ONE company because a quick Google search will show that there are a number of places to get them. In fact theres a company in Mississauga (was in Burlington) that sells used Steinways that can end up lasting as long as a new one (refurbished) for a much lower price. Either way they still appreciate in value over the long term.

Its a large sum of money and what raised the flag was it was a sole sourced contract (meaning no bidding). If I could do a quick Google search can find options, just imagine what town staff could do with more time/resources. We were simply wanting to look at the options and if in the end it was THE only option ... we would have done our homework.

I along with a number of councillors in the last election promised "financial management" I have no qualms questioning a large purchase as Im sure the others who asked for the defferal will do as well.

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Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

I skimmed the piano article, and read the one about Fantino. Here's my question about the piano- will it last the forecast 75-100 years even when it's being put to semi-regular use? (Presuming we have that place booked the majority of the time).

About the hospital: I thought the stimulus funding couldn't be used for the it because of jursidictional issues- that healthcare is mainly a provincial responsibility accept for the provincial transfer payments. A double standard perhaps? Or maybe the Conservatives are more sure of wining this riding vs. Vaughn in an eventual federal election. I'm just being cynical.

From my conversation yesterday with the owner of Ontario Pianos... he mentioned there have been some issues with a few Arts Centres in the region who have purchased new Steinways that have resulted in repair bills of over $30,000 each. There are benefits to new / used / refurbished but there are also benefits to leasing as well. That option wasnt looked at either which could spread out the costs over a period of time. (There are a ton of other factors to the town re: Leasing I know...but the option could have been looked at)

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Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

A community arts center that will be attracting professional artists as well as aspiring local artists. I played in a high school band. The girl who played first flute in the band had the $2000.00 instrument. She went on to be a professional musician.
Mike, I understand where you're coming from. It's sadly one of those things that accelerating the arts center has caused. Absolutely consider refurbished and other potential sources to get the best bang for the buck. But don't skimp on quality.

Abi, I'm no expert on pianos but I think you do want a concert grand for this space. What you're seeing on kijiji are very small pianos or uprights that are suited to music rooms or a living room, not a concert hall.

If Im not mistaken its a 9 foot Steinway. Thats the approximate size I was told it might be given the price.

In other conversations about the price of the piano the comment that stood out the most was "that price is outlandish" from one of the other dealers of pianos in the area.

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Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

I look at it like this. I know council has to deal with the Arts Centre and its cost. I know we need something of quality if we are to attract quality acts to the Arts Centre. There in an impending opening date for the facility and I understand theres a perceived rush to get things done.

We are still stewarts of the tax payer dollar and have to look at everything over the course of the year. This council will be under immense pressure in 2012 and the following years and things like this have to be looked at and questioned. I dont like to be rushed into a decision on say things like the levy, piano, tax increases just because theres a perceived "rush" on things.

I dont favour sole sourced contracts at all. If I could find options just by Google imagine what others can find. Council shouldnt have to direct staff to be this thorough on every purchase....it should be done on everything. Its called covering your bases.

The motion wasnt to stop the purchase...get something of lower quality...close the Arts Centre (theres an idea ) it was simply to ask staff to look at other options regarding sources, costs, financing options and report back. You'd have to ask the 6 who voted against that motion for their opinions.

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Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett