Rec authority talks bypass council: Carry

Beach has infrastructure but is minority on working group

By Jim Mosher
Sunday February 15, 2004

Interlake Spectator — Winnipeg Beach is outnumbered on a recently-formed working group looking into creating a common recreation authority for the Beach and neighbouring Dunnottar, says Coun. Daryl Carry.
The veteran Beach councillor raised his concern last week, noting that three members of the five-member recreation authority working group are non-residents of Winnipeg Beach.
Carry also wants council to discuss issues around the initiative before discussions go to the working group.
Mayor Don Pepe urged Carry to give the working group time.
“I’d just like to have some more council discussion on it,” Carry told his colleagues Feb. 10. “I have major questions as to how this will work and how it’s beneficial to us. I think our council should be meeting to see what our opinions are -- before it’s even discussed at a joint meeting.”

“I understand your point,” said a conciliatory Pepe. “But you have to start some place. The working group is bringing something together. The working group isn’t supposed to agree or disagree on anything.”
“But where’s the chance for our council to have input to that working group?” said Carry.
Pepe assured Carry that nothing will be done nor any decision made without the endorsement of Beach council.
Coun. Greg Mandzuk said he is confident the Beach members of the working group will steer clear of committing the town to anything.
“I understand Coun. Carry’s concerns about [members of the working group] getting into decisions there’s no backing out of,” said Mandzuk. But: “I have the utmost faith in Coun. Dodd that she would stop discussions at that point in the process. I am quite happy with the process at this point. There’s no signing in blood.”
Despite the mayor’s assurances that nothing would be decided or ‘swept under the rug’, Carry had his misgivings.
“The working group of five -- and that may have changed, I haven’t been told -- has three non-residents of Winnipeg Beach. Yet we have the facilities, the equipment and the staff,” Carry said.
“Will you give the working group a chance?” said Pepe.
“Absolutely. But I want to be informed,” Carry said.