Elliot Lake councilors were shocked and none too pleased when their mayor suggested buying the former Algo Mall site during the regular councilor meeting last night.
Mayor Dan Marchisella put a motion before council to move ahead with the purchase of 151 Ontario Avenue, the site of the former Algo Mall, with a one-time non-negotiable offer of $600,000 immediately and that the offer is to be accepted or rejected within five days.
Marchisella emphasized it wouldn’t be necessarily be used for the proposed multi-hub, but it had good economic potential for the community and the city had to move forward from the tragedy.
The former Algo Mall collapsed in June 2012 and two women died in the collapse.
The property has been sitting ever since and is considered an eyesore by many.
The rest of council, with the exception of Councillor Luc Cyr, were shocked by the motion and said so.
Councillor Tammy Van Roon said under no circumstances would she discuss it in an open forum.
Councillor Connie Nykaforak questioned whether the Mayor had breached protocol by doing so.
New councilor, Ed Pearce, concurred saying the ongoing discussions about sites for the hub have been handled poorly and should have been in camera.
Van Roon moved a motion to have the matter discussed in camera, seconded by Pierce effectively ending the public discussion.