Canadian Racehorse Owner vs Ottawa Mayor
A high profile Canadian racehorse owner has published a scathing public letter against Ottawa mayor Jim Watson after the latter asked that his council vote in favor of a proposal making the Rideau Carleton Raceway the only acceptable location for casino expansion in the area.
Eugene Melnyk has asked the city council to vote against Watson's proposal, which has been presented to the Ottawa City Council as a means to protect the slots program at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Recently, Mayor Watson said that he feared that if the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp went ahead with its bidding process to construct a new casino in Ottawa, the racecourse would lose out on revenue. The OLG has said in the past that there will be room for only one casino location.
Melynk Seeking to Construct Casino
The Ottawa Business Journal said that Melnyk was waiting for the OLG Request for Pre Qualification process to start, and wanted to propose his own property near Scotiabank Place as a viable alternative.
Melnyk blasted Watson in his open letter, saying that by asking council to support his proposal, the mayor is essentially eliminating "any future, thoughtful consideration to other, more viable sites that would, in my opinion, return greater financial and non beneficial benefits to our great city."
Melnyk Patiently Waiting
In his letter to Watson, Melnyk said that he has been patiently waiting for the OLG to complete its RFPQ process from which should emerge three to five short listed "and highly qualified operators who will have lots to say about where a casino should be located to best serve Ottawa now and in the future."
"By introducing this motion, the Mayor has effectively sole sourced the casino's location," wrote Melnyk. "That is not due process."
Support for Canada Horseracing Industry
Melnyk argued that his call for a fair bidding service did not contradict his strong support for Rideau Carleton Raceway and the horse racing industry in general.
"I am an avid horseman," he said. "I race thoroughbred horses all over the world including in Ontario, so I fully appreciate the challenges and what is at stake as it relates to the future of Rideau Carleton Raceway and the many employees and families who are so closely associated with its operations. These are hard working men and women who I respect immensely."
