Diane Brennan To Debate Jeff Solomon??

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It has been rumored that Shaw television is in the process of arranging a televised debate between Colliery Dam Preservation Society spokesman Jeff Solomon and city point person Councillor Brennan.

It will be interesting to see the merits of both sides of this debate out in the open away from the restrictions that a council 'meeting' imposes on a clear exchange of facts surrounding the most contentious issue in Nanaimo since the conference centre.

Let's hope it happens soon and that perhaps a more extensive public hearing on this matter can be organized so that Nanaimo residents may hear the opinions from both sides of this matter and be able to make an informed decision of their own.

This issue started last October with the declaration that it could cost $30 million to rebuild the dams, and that they had a 40% chance of failure in 50 years. Since both of these statements seem to have no basis in fact and council has gone from a unanimous decision to remove both dams, to a split decision now, clearly this requires far more scrutiny than has been provided so far.

As it stands, the city seems determined to proceed on a most costly path with no end price in sight, no permits in place and no timeline to complete this project as outlined in Councillor Brennans motion.

You may recall that Councillor Brennans' motion came after the motion by Councillor Pattje that would have seen the dams left alone this year, and one dam replaced next year with the other replaced the following year.

A local contractor has now come forward with an offer of a bonded, design-build contract to lower the water to safe levels over this winter, and remove and replace both dams for a guaranteed price.