City Of Toronto Councilor Sandra Bussin Gets $12,250 Cash for Fixing The Deal

We now find out why a local restaurant on City property did not have to “bid” for the lease on prime city property.

What the media did not report is why a local restaurant on City property did not have to “tender a bid” for the lease of the prime city property. What they did report was that the “Boardwalk Bistro” at 1681 Lakeshore Blvd. would not have any competing bids for the lease of city parkland. The value of this lease of city of Toronto land is usually set out to tender. The highest bid gets the deal.

JAMES COWAN of The NATIONAL POST reported On Jan 24/2007
“City staff argued against accepting Foulidis’ proposal without first soliciting bids from rival companies. The city’s purchasing and materials management review division argued an open call for proposals would ensure the city received the best possible deal”

Council did decline to call for other bids. Council voted 21-14 to grant the extension even though Boardwalk Bistro had not provided any key financial information. The proposition to renew the Foulidis lease was led by and supported by local Councillor Sandra Bussin, a friend of Mr. Foulidis. Councillor Bussin defended her actions by stating that Mr. Foulidis and his company were 'a good fit' and further that "we should be putting an emphasis on retaining good relationships".

Shortly after winning this controversial vote and obtaining a new lease with no need to submit a tender, Mr. Foulidis' uncle, cousin, business partner, employees and friends all made individual maximum allowable donations of $750.00 to a total of $8,200.00 in 2006.


2006 Election Contributors

The following contributors are found to be associated with the "BOARDWALK BISTRO". The list is off the City Of Toronto web site that lists contributors to elections. Note none of these “Contributors” live in WARD 32.

All Contributor ($750.00):

1.) Anthony KALENTZIZ    MIT 3S2    Corporate Officer
2.) Johanne ST. JACQUES,    M1T 3S2.    Lives with KALENTZIZ
3.) Christos FATSTS,     M4J 2X1    Uncle Of Foulidis
4.) Peter FATSIS,    M4J 2XI    Cousin of Foulidis
5.) Farinaz MAMAGHANI,     M2J 2W9    Employee of Foulidis
6.) Alvija ZARFMBAITE,    M4M 3H4    Employee of Foulidis
7.) Audrone BUTRIMAS,     M9B 4V6    Employee of Foulidis
8.) Susan STRATAKOS,     M4L 3R5    Employee of Foulidis
9.) Fotis STRATAKOS,    M4B 2Z3        High School Friend of Foulidis
10.) EQUINOX GROUP     M4B 1X4    High School Friend of Foulidis
11.) Nick PRANGIKOS,     MIT 2Z9.    High School Friend of Foulidis

Total Combined Contributions = $8,250.00

2003 Election Contributors

Councillor Bussin can be seen to have a relationship with this family which precedes the 2003 election campaign, for during this 2003 election campaign Mr. Foulidis' wife, Lynn Haslett made the maximum individual permitted donation of $750.00 under her maiden name, his cousin, Peter Fatsis contributed $750.00 while other donations came from his business partner and other associates.

The 2003 Financial Contribution (Sandra Bussin) Disclosure List shows the following contributors who are affiliated to George Foulidis, operator of the Boardwalk Bistro, 1681 Lakeshore Blvd. E., and Toronto:

1. Anthony KALENTZIS    (business partner)
2. J. ST.JACQLJES    (common-law to KALENTZIS)
3. Susan STRATAKOS    (friend)
4. Lynne HASSLETT    (spouse of)
5. Peter FATSIS    (cousin of)

Total Combined Contributions = $4,000.00

It would be in the public interest if Councilor Bussin and those who voted for this lease of our City property would explain in the media the reason they took this procedure! Ward 32 News demands a police investigation of this “use of public parklands”.