By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: March. 10, 2013
The district and the SODC are trying their level best to get us a deal on the Oceanfront lands.
And your hard earned money is working hard.
The district hired a well-known PR firm in Vancouver to put in a good word for Squamish to the investment community.
With $9853.20 last year, the district hired Hoggan & Associates to assist with the communications work surrounding SODC going to market with an RFP.
Hoggan also assisted in developing messaging to roll out the RFP communications, said Christina Moore, the district spokesperson.
The firms services were also retained during the district-led “Create the Oceanfront Planning Process”, which kicked off in September 2007.
Meanwhile, SODC has said to have hired Coriolis, the same real estate consulting firm that was hired by SLRD.
SODC manager Jonathan Silcock said SODC is planning to release some news over the next few weeks regarding the process and level of interest.
“We are anxious and exciting to see the responses as well,” he said.
Hoggans & Associates isn’t the only one getting a share of out tax payer’s pie.
District invoices reveal more than $300,000 in lawyers’ fees has been paid in the past one year alone.
Most of these firms, such as Lidstone & Company, along with Murdy & McAllister, are based out of Vancouver.
Both firms provide advice, assistance and legal representation on local government matters.
Last year, the district had refused to share information on lawyer payouts through a FOI.
