September 18, 2016 - 07:07 — Timothy Gillespie
Cayer had previously informed Council of Halef's impeccible credentials and appealed to them to reverse their decision to reject Halef's bid, which would allow AtlantiCann to continue pursuing the Health Canada license with Shelburne as a location for the multi-million dollar operation, ensuring that the jobs and other economic development benefits attached to the project would befit the local economy. Cayer suggested a rejection of Halef's offer would result in the business being located in Halifax.
SHELBURNE MUNICIPAL WARDEN ROGER TAYOR
"Will he pay his taxes?"
In the same week that Shelburne municial warden Roger Tayor insinuated successful, award-winning Halifax developer Besim Halef might be a tax scofflaw if he owned property in Shelburne, Halef was featured in Saturday's Chronicle Herald business section for his transformative $5.5 million Halifax Exhibition Centre development. Halef purchased the failing Exhibition Park for $2.5 million and will spend a reported $3 million to add a Tim Hortons and major gas station to the site. The project is just the latest for the head of BANC Group, which appears to have the midas touch in recent years when it comes to successful commercial development.
Saltscapes founder Jim Gourlay is chairman of the Exposition Managers Society of Nova Scotia and was enthusiastic about Halef's business attitude, which, in less than a year, has resulted in new shows coming to the facility and in ten full time jobs coming to the Park, Under previous government management, the facility was failing. “We’ve gone from what appeared in July to be a complete disaster to what may be the best-case scenario,” Gourlay told the Chronicle Herald.
On Monday, AtlantiCann Medical Inc vice president Ed Cayer appealed to the Municipal Council to reverse its decision to reject Halef's bid of $40,000 for the Bowood property, which had accrued tax arrears of $158,000 under owner Ralston MacDonnell. Halef's pharmacist daughter Christine founded AtlantiCann and has spent close to three years pursuing an application for an industrial medical marijuana operation in a re-constructed version of the gymnasium on the property.
Tanya Strate, who purchased several building lots at pennies on the dollar in the backruptcy auction following the SWSDA/SeaCoast Studios disaster in lower Sandy Point, bid $4,000 for the Bowood parcel.
Cayer had previously informed Council of Halef's impeccible credentials and appealed to them to reverse their decision to reject Halef's bid, which would allow AtlantiCann to continue pursuing the Health Canada license with Shelburne as a location for the multi-million dollar operation, ensuring that the jobs and other economic development benefits attached to the project would befit the local economy. Cayer suggested a rejection of Halef's offer would result in the business being located in Halifax.
During the discussion following Cayer's 30-minute presentation, warden Taylor asked of Halef, "If he acquires the property, will he pay his taxes?" Cayer appeared shocked at the insinuation and replied, "Why don't you ask the officials with the City of Halifax if he pays his taxes?" Deputy warden Norm Wallet retorted that "It seems like a reasonable question."
In an interview the following day, Wallet refused to explain what was reasonable about Taylor's insinuation and also refused to disclose on what basis he and other Councilors determined not to accept Halef's offer. He said he had personally not seen any evidence that Halef had ever not paid taxes or might not pay them in Shelburne.
In a brief telephone interview, warden Taylor also refused to discuss what motivated he or Council to take a pass on Halef's offer or to discuss the basis of his questioning Halef's ability or intention to pay his taxes. Taylor also said he would not be making any comments on the matter, as he did not appreciate the "tone" of SCT reports on the matter and claimed that he had been "misquoted" in the past, but did not offer up any specifics.
Taylor also said that the SCT reports on his comments and Council discussion of the Bowood offer "were not good for the community."
Sources familiar with the project interviewed by SCT suggested that the rejection of Halef's offer was based upon some councilors feeling that, since Halef provided MacDonnell with a real estate loan to purchase Bowood, there may be a "secret relationship" between Halef and MacDonnell and that somehow, the pair might be "gaming the system." Cayer advised Council that the only relationship between the pair was the unpaid $1 million loan.
After an "in camera" meeting following Cayer's presentation, Council discussed the prospect of adding a minimum price to tender offers on tax arrears properties.
At a June 13 Committee meeting, it was determined that Council would be urged not to accept Halef's offer, but to re-tender the property with four others, which have a combined tax arrears of approximately $20,000. Those properties are in Sable River, East Jordan, East Green Harbour and North West Harbour
At a June 27 meeting, Council voted to re-tender the Bowood property and others and was advised that "staff will be exploring different marketing/advertising avenues for these properties."
It is unknown whether Halef intends to re-offer on the property.
SEE PREVIOUS STORY: Rejection "beyond comprehension"
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