Jilted developer speaking out on Shelburne Place offer

They have not yet divulged information to the public any details about the proposals and instead has called them proposal “A” and “B”

According to Team Shelburne’s Chair Mayor Darian Huskilson, they had decided to go with proposal A as the best business plan for Shelburne Place.

Bernie Dockrill, a developer out of Yarmouth and Halifax is proposal B for the Shelburne Place and is upset with the way the process has been handled by Team Shelburne.

“The process of not being open to the public, of not being as transparent as I thought it was going to be, I thought that I was the offer that was the highest,” Dockrill said.

When he put in his proposal for $527,000 with the condition some finances would be held back he had been planning to create an advanced living facility with full service at the site while selling the gym to the community for $1.

“I have not been able to discuss any of this with Team Shelburne or meet with them even though I’ve requested it several times,” said Dockrill.

“I’ve been kept in the cold and I have not heard anything from anybody.”

He felt he did not get a clear explanation with the process and thought his offer would get a chance to go through negotiations.

Before the proposal end date of March 9 Dockrill’s proposal was received through the proper channels while proposal A was hand delivered by Frank Anderson, Director of the South West Shore Development Authority, from a consulting firm in Halifax.

Dockrill felt suspicious of the manner to which proposal A was received.

“If the other party is the higher bidder that’s business but if the other party is being shown favouritism and the process is being manipulated then that’s just wrong,” said Dockrill.

Frank Anderson made it clear the call for proposal does not necessarily go to the highest bidder but to what Team Shelburne voted on as the best proposal.

“He was upset because I picked one up in the city from the solicitors,” said Anderson, “I’ll be a courier, I’ll do anything that is physically possible to make this thing work.”

Proposal A remains anonymous to both the public and Team Shelburne with no details of who the developer is but with only a business plan in writing.

“You tell me how Team Shelburne can vote on the purchase of this property not knowing who the purchaser is,” voiced Dockrill.

According to Mayor Huskilson Team Shelburne was made aware of all the concerns Mr. Dockrill had and the decisions that were made were with the knowledge of them in mind.

“I have been working very diligently to ensure that the process with Team Shelburne is clear and fair and will hope to see this whole thing resolved,” said Mayor Huskilson.

Mayor Huskilson explained that because Anderson was recognized as an agent for the Regional Development Authority, it was voted through the members of Team Shelburne that Anderson could act as a carrier to receive any proposals.

On March 30, Dockrill raised his offer to $675,000.

“We were already dealing with proposal A and did not entertain his (Dockrill’s) offer,” Mayor Huskilson explained.

According to Anderson it was not a difficult decision to choose proposal A’s offer.

“Two proposals came in and they accepted one unanimous. Bottom line is he wasn’t the successful candidate at this point,” said Anderson,

“The perceived improprieties of unfairness according to Mr. Dockrill is unfortunate,” said Mayor Huskilson, “and I respect his position as a business man.”

Dockrill felt the process he went through with the proposal eliminated developers and potential businesses of coming to South West Nova Scotia.

“I’m not here to get notoriety, I’m just mad,” said Dockrill, “a lot of my time has been wasted.”