I have left all the remarks about my post about the mayor's state of mind and I have now taken John McCarthy's wise advice and removed my original post, but it still begs the question: What does it take to be a good mayor? We just lost Stella Ziff, and from all accounts, she was a good mayor, although she only served for two years. She also served on Regional Council. She was also very involved in several local boards and initiatives. She was active even after her political career was finished; she took some developers to the OMB and won; she spear-headed the Waterfront Park creation and so much more. She knew more about what was happening in Fort Erie, even after she moved to Toronto, than most of its residents.
So, to rephrase the earlier post: what qualities are important for a good mayor? Does our present mayor have any of these qualities? Who do you think would make a good mayor?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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118 comments:
What mind???
If this is true then how did so many people vote for this man?
New in Town
All I know is on election night (of which I was a scrutineer for one of the other mayoral candidates) I was disheartened when I heard that he won, because I knew that we had just voted in the good old boys, pat on your back, club. Really not all that much different than before, but, it somehow felt worse. And yes, I voted for the other guy, but, I knew that because he had only one term as councillor under his belt, the chances of him getting in were pretty slim. I guess I liked his platform of forcing accountability and transparency.
Let's be honest here. There were 3choices for Mayor. John Papadakis was too Toronto and too overbearing, most would even say obnoxious. Tom Lewis was too young, I don't care how well he did as a councillor (and that's debatable) early to mid 20's is not mayoral material. Doug Martin won by process of elimination. This is a transitional council - most of these faces will not be back - by either their decision or the electorates'.
Ho-hum. Just another thread full of the same old scuttlebut. "I heard, someone said. found out in the coffee house, it has been making the rounds".
YAWN.
Hey Editor, we get it! You don't like the Mayor and certain Councillors. That's why you use this forum to attack them and push your own agenda. There is nothing objective about this blog and as such, it is easily dismissed as the crazy rantings of those few nutjobs who didn't get elected. The fact is Papadakis and Lewis were and still are inferior products who would have crippled this Town.
Such fear towards two candidates with education and experince who would have done a great job of Mayor unlike the mess Doug Martin has caused.
Both Papadakis and Lewis would have done a great job - and maybe we need a "Papadakis" to clean up the old boys club that has done such harm to this town.
I for one will vote for either one of them if they run again.
Former "old Guard"
Today is Tom Lewis's birthday. Happy 26th! BTW, he's buying a house - in Fort Erie. Not bad for a kid his age. Did it all on his own. (No grandfather's business to take over like someone we know.) Both he and Papadakis have good educations - not just some jewelry course at George Brown. In Papdakis's case, he served on council in Toronto for several years and has a very good track record for getting things done. I have copies of both candidates' campaign literature from 2006 and they were both right on with their platforms. Too bad they were out-financed by the old boys' club. Either one would have made a far better leader than the present mayor. If the town is not totally destroyed by 2010, I hope that someone can come forward to run who has their smarts and commitment to the people. When senior citizens are having their water turned off for non payment of their bills, due to the fact that Fort Erie HAS THE HIGHEST WATER AND SEWER RATES IN NIAGARA something is wrong. Something is wrong when businesses are closing and FORT ERIE HAS THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN NIAGARA while the mayor, Russ Wilson and Jim Thiefbird put all the town's resources into purchasing an overpriced, losing race track. Something is wrong when the people are kept out of the decision process and when they ask questions or direct their concerns and complaints to council, they are stonewalled. Something is wrong when a mayor thinks he is so entitled that a new local business has to bow to his demand that his relative be hired. Something is wrong when private citizens are being illegally wiretapped and bugged and copies of those tapes are circulated to elected officials. Something is wrong when the voice of opposition in this small town is subject to blackballing and threats. Something is wrong when an employee of the town threatens not one but two elected officials and gets away with it. Something is wrong when people who were once supporters of Martin and his cabal are openly apologizing for supporting them in the past. Wake up Fort Erie! Please do not forget what has happened to this town in just three short years. If you believe that things are better here since Martin was elected, then support him if he runs again. If you believe, as I do, as well as many, many others that the people of Fort Erie deserve a better, more responsive, honest government, then stay tuned to this blog.
I love to follow THE EDITOR's advice.
So if Martin runs again I will support him again.
Like I said. Nothing objective about this Blog. Fort Erie is such a haven of coruption, highest water and sewer and taxes, AND STILL Pudgy Tommy Lewis is buying a house here. I guess he's more stupid than I first imagined. Or there is little truth in the Editors discription. Re-electing Doug Martin will be a pleasure.
How childish,you who have nothing better to do than show so much jealousy to ward people who are for sure more intellegent than you. with this attitude no wonder the town is in such condition. Yes a BIG MISTAKE on the last election,however I really think it was fixed. the mayor has not done a GOOD Job lets face it we the TOWNare in trouble, why not stop wasting time on trashing respectful people and seriously look into fixing our MANY MANY problems.
Such is "democracy" to bad we don't have it in this town.
To the suportter of Martin, It is your choice to suport him but ask yourself this question;
a) can you list three(3) things and or actions that martin did TO HELP fORT ERIE as regional councillor PRIOR to becomming Mayor?
B) List 3 things that he has done so far- and please include the 31% tax and water rate hikes
Please let us all know why you will support this man after all the harm he and his club have caused this community.
Because the way to fix this towns problems IS to get RID of it's problem. In this case Mayor Doug Martin and the council.
Fort Erie is a haven of corruption
Muncipal corruption eventually gets exposed, many examples out there. Sooner or later the corruption of our town wil be exposed.
if you want to re-elect Doug Martin after all that has happened then it begs the question, Do you not see what is happening to our town or are you one of the ones feeding at the tax payers expences?
Why would you re-elect Marin?
Waing for an answer
Dear Waiting for an answer. I hope you have a REALLY REALLY LONG WAIT.
Hello?.....Blogger?....Still waiting for your answer?.....are you there?
I guessi have to have a really long wait BECAUSE YOU CANNOT AND HAVE NO ANSWER.
I'm still waiting for the 3 things Martin did for this Town, how long do I and the people of our community have to wait for a answer?
Smart home buyers, who have been pre-approved for a mortgage, are buying property in Fort Erie because it's going cheap and there are plenty of Power-of-Sale bargains out there. Most come from the GTA and soon find out that taxes and water bills are out of sight, but it's still cheaper than living in TO. We have a very large senior demographic as well, retired folks who move here to get away from big city life. I am very glad when someone decides to live in Fort Erie. It is a great place, but it could be so much better with the right leadership. Just because I call attention to what I believe are abuses of power; conflict of interest; malfeasance and assorted other indignities that emanate from the three corporations that make up the Fort Erie government does not mean that I don't like Fort Erie. Quite the opposite. I wouldn't be publishing this blog if I didn't care about this town.
Your silence speaks VERY LOUDLY!
Once again Editor, you are forcing people to agree with your opinion.
You are questioning that the mayor is losing his mind. That to me suggests that you want us to sgree that he had one in the first place.
I am putting my foot down on this one ....... puppets are made of wood and controlled by someone else.
I REFUSE to be minipulated by you comments and agree that the mayor has a mind ( of his own).
I know of other situations that members of our council have used their position to FORCE business' to accomidate their personal family interests.
Of course you know of these "other situations". Of course you don't want to tell us what they are. Of course you haven't stood up and taken any action.
How do you know "no action is being taken"? On the contrary several different "actions" are under way at different levels of governments.
The two most serious being the "watergate" of Fort Erie with the investigation of political espionage (this one's a biggie it seems the OBC, the mayor, some members of council, the PBA, a BIA and others could all be involved.)
This one has the makings of national news!!!
The next one is for conflict of intrest by certain members of council.
There are several other investigations under way, you understand that WHEN the investigations are complete THEN things will begin to happen.
Of course all these guys and gals can come forward NOW and save the taxpayers the cost of trial and prsecution.
Say what you will but;
there IS corruption in Fort Erie,
there ARE people who are taking action,
the people of this town are not all stuipd, most see what is happening.
Like it or not this will all come to a head by the time of the elections or sooner,you can be an apologist for the OBC all you want and make you petty threats and rasict remarks about "Toronto" and others but THE REALITY IS THAT THE OUTSIDERS ARE HERE - YOU DUMBASS! YOU BUILD HOUSES AND EXPECT WHO TO BUY THEM ? - AND NOW THAT WE ARE HERE, DO YOU REALLY THINK WE WILL TAKE YOUR CRAP! THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER, LIKE IT OR NOT!
I'm still waiting?
The SILENCE IS VERY VERY LOUD!
The blogger of Toronto is correct. My family moved to this town Fort Erie and whit sadness I must say we have witnessed negative display aginst us and racism. Why tell me please?
There is a lot of racism in this community, courtesy of those in the OBC who refuse to acknowledge that this town is changing. As an American who has chosen, as have many others, to live here permanently, I have seen this anti-anyone-other-than-a-born-and-bred-Fort-Erian attitude many times. Especially when we "newcomers" speak out about problems and issues. BTW, this "newcomer" has lived here for over twenty years and will soon become a Canadian citizen.
Being a townie or a newcomer is rampent no matter where you go. It occurs in northern Ontario that talk down to you because you're a "southerner" of all things. Even the communities within the town have a hard time supporting one another calling it a "Ridgeway or Crystal Beach thing".
This is not unique to our area.
THIS DUMBASS THINKS YOU ARE A MORON.
Yeah right. All of these "investigations" are taking place and the rest of us never hear anything about them.
The only place and time these "investigations" occur are in the coffee house after you clones have made your purchase from the guy inside the bus shelter.
At least the "guy" in the bus shelter of which you aperently are well familliar with can answer the other bloggers question.
Can you recall?
Name 3 things Mayor Doug Martin has done to benifit this community when he was regional councillor and 3 things as mayor.
Funny all these Martin and OBC supporters shoot their collective cabal mouths off yet no one seems to be able to answer a very simple question.
Seems when you are confronted with a question you resort to derogitory comments instead of answering a question.
Can you answer the question since the "other" Martin supporters cannot fire enough nurons to do so.
To the Newcommer(s);
I must apoligize for the racist and hostile attiude you have exerinced here you are not alone.
There is a group of....."people" in this community(sadly some of them elected) who are just that, racist and very narrow minded. Pay them no heed for they are to be looked upon with pitty and comtempt. They in no way reflect the persona of this community and will soon become extinct.
The reason they attack you editor is because Doug Martin and his minions cannot even win an election on their own merit, No they have to Rig the election to win. How do I know?
I was there, but I fear for my family and are afraid to speak out yet.
The people who stand up for the right thing have courage and I truly hope they can expose the rot in this town.
Oyi! we are not Clones.
We are Cylons!
All will be Revealed.
Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
Albert Einstein
US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)
He fears for his family. LMFAO!
I suppose the mayor is going to send "Fat Tony" and "Ice-Pick" after his family.
LMFAO!!
TO, NEW IN TOWN and your question how did so many people vote for this man? I will reply to the best of my ability, First of all you have to understand that Dug does not care about Fort Erie or it's people and i will explain further, Dug has sucked off the system most of his adult life what he could'nt make from his silly councillors position he made by sitting on a number of charity boards and committees of which have either folded or were forced to join with other organizations, word has it that one of those the silly, useless friendship festival that is no longer good for this town that came up $250,000 short when Dug the slug ran it, but most people that supported Dug were willing to look the other way when they knew Dug could be bought for a measly $500 dollar donation to his campaign and have millions of dollars of work in front of their property like watermains to nowhere and other work and promises.
Look at the contractors that are doing the work and look at the ones that donated to his quest to become dictator of our fine little town.
I know the editor was going to publish the list of Dug the slugs campaign contributors a number of months ago and i'm hoping that it is still in the works because then it will allow the people of this town to do their own research and decide who not to support as a business in this town.
And remember that Dug the slug was put in office with roughly 15% of the vote and i believe that most of town hall employees either supported him or worked for him and although i know many of them but i believe they knew that if he got in they would be assured of their jobs for another four years.
I will post the contributor's list tonight on The Strand. It's time we brought everyone up to speed on what's going on in this town. Thank you for posting the truth.
The idiot must be losing what little bit of mind he has left he seems to be drinking to excess of late and dos'nt seem to worry about getting totally blitzed and driving down #3 highway to get home.
I wonder why the cops are ignoring this drunks behavior? Is it because he chairs the Regional Police Board?
It better not be my family that he runs into in a drunken stupor.
Well, here it is folks. By popular demand: Dougie's Donations. It's located here: "http://www.crystalbeachstrand.com/FollowTheMoney.html"
Reads like the membership roster of the OB&GC.
When do we see the lists for Toronto John and Tiny Tim?
It's Doug Martin, who won the election, who is the subject here. Look it up if you're so interested in who donated to John or Tom. Not even a small fraction of what Dougie spent was spent by the other two candidates combined.
Sad news. Stella Ziff, former mayor of Fort Erie died on Thursday. See main page of Strand.
This is not the first time it has been noted that the Mayor and Vice-Chairman of the Police Services Board Drinks and Drives!
Way to set an example.
Loser
Sorry to hear about Former Mayor Stella Ziff
How about posting the campaign contributors of all the Councillors WHO WON. I'd be very interested to see who some of the Councillors had backing them, especially Bob Steckley.
Don't have that information. You might want to contact Mike Cloutier. He's the apologist for Mayor Martin, the PBA, Jim Thiefbird, Riss Wilson, et al. Sure he has all the info on them. He ran the unofficial smear campaign against certain candidates last election. Now there's a person whose income information would make for interesting reading.
I tried donating money to Noyes's campaign, I know she does a good job, thought I would help her out, so I called her, she was very nice but declined. She let me know that she financed her own campaign ( did so in the past to) with minimal contributions from her immediate family and her own company. I think her entire campaign expenses was around $1,000.00 for 2006. She worked hard to get re elected.
Ohhhh now the truth can be seen, the story unfolds and the saga continues. Now if we could only guess at what wasnt in the books.
While I certainly understand the Editors sentiment I think all of us should be careful when questioning the mayor's (or anyone's)psychological or emotional state. Bringing forth instances of alleged "bad behavior" or rudeness is one thing I suppose, but to suggest a "break down" is, I feel, a slippery slop.
I wouldn't wish that on ANYONE and I don't believe Sharon or any of the posters on this blog would do so either.
By all means we should hold the powers that be accountable but let's do so by sticking to the facts.
For all of us, our physical, emotional,and mental health is nothing we take lightly and we would do well to keep that in mind when discussing others in a public forum.
Sure we're frustrated and sometimes we get angry but we need to keep things in prospective.
Any good tactician seizes and holds the "high ground".
Respectfully,
John McCarthy
Excellent post John. The problem is that we are talking about THE EDITOR discussing THE MAYOR.
Well, I've been told. ( /hangs head in shame.) :~(
Ok John
But we are STILL waiting for the Martin supporters to respond to the bloggers question.
What 3 things has Martin done to benifit Fort Erie PRIOIR to becoming Mayor?
What 3 things has he done as Mayor?
Why are the Martin supporters having such a hard time responding to this simple question?
SILL WAITING ALONG WITH THE BLOGGER!
Please do not forget that this ...man and his goons have threaten and intimidated people, for crying out loud! Jim Thief-Bird made threats against 2 councillors and Martin did nothing.
Martin deserves what he gets and will get.
As you sow, so shall you reap.
I agree that the question raised has still not been answered as to what has Martin done while in elected office. I was hoping that by rephrasing the question, we'd see what Martin's supporters have to say about why they continue to support him. Or, aren't there any Martin supporters left? Some of those people on the list of financial supporters are now wishing they hadn't, and have been very vocal about it. Seriously, what do people see in him?
None of the clones (after criticizing all efforts) would answer the question about what the elected officials should be doing about the hospital situation.
So why should we cowtow to your wishes?
Because you and your goons ARE PART OF THE REASON we are losing our hospital and much more. (Who has been in power the last 12 years?)
Because WE DO NOT RESORT TO THREATS ( even by Staff against councillors) AND INTIMIDATION AND RACISM
Of course you know not any of this because you are a pawn or just don’t get it.
So answer the question!!!
And -if all the resources of the town and ALL these years of so called “years of political experience” of Martin you still do not know what to do about the hospital only shows you and yours and Martin are UNFIT to govern!
Here is a reason
Because Maritn IS for a short time more THE MAYOR !!
A recent example of how the mayor handled the hospital situation is in the package for Monday night's council meeting. It is a reply to a letter that Hizzoner sent Premier Dalton McGinty. Did he talk expressly about the hospital situation? No. Was that the most important issue he addressed in his letter to McGinty? No. He asked the premier for help with the race track issue, the hospital issue and, here's a real hot button issue in Fort Erie: the rezoning of wetlands so that development can proceed. What he received was a response deserving of his lack of attention to the most pressing issue in this community ~ the hospital. The letter was CC'd to the health minister and others. Way to go. Oh we're really upset about this hospital situation and oh, BTW, can we get those wetland designations changed so we can sell them to developers. Oh, and BTW, we want to buy the race track. Can't you float us a loan for that? The mayor in action. How's that working out for us?
And what does any of that pile of pig manure have to do with the hospital. Do you think that the town should ignore every other issue that affects us?
Unbelievable and still people refuse to see the forest for the trees. How sad when an area so unique is being ravaged by a few. One would think the Hospital would be so much more in the forefront of issues considering that the existing population is reaching a vulnerable age and with the non existing industry base, it wont be our grandchildren taking care of us. Anyone that has half a mind can see that the horse racing industry is passe, what a waste of energy and everyone's time. What are these morons doing?
What a sign of disrespect by THE EDITOR to a war hero. In a misguided attempt at honouring him she uses a song about a convicted MURDERER going to his execution.
How low can she get?
I chose those words because they were beautiful and poignant. While the song they were taken from was written about a convicted criminal, I did not refer to the song by name for that reason - I just used a beautiful part of it. You went to Wikepedia and looked up the reference and just had to throw that information in to discredit me. What you may not also know, which wasn't in Wikepedia, is that, to those of us who were around during the Viet Nam War, the song took on another meaning as referring to the burial of a fallen war hero. Since you spend so much of your time parsing and picking apart my writing, you could have spent some of that time remembering those who sacrificed so much for their country. I thought of little else all day but Corporal Crook's sad homecoming.
I think that in order to be a good mayor you should knowledgeable of the fact that this town is composed of several communities with different needs and dynamics within those communities. One community cannot be favoured over another.
Fort Erie through regional statistics has the lowest income, highest drop out ratesm high percentage of seniors, very poor transportation between it and other municipalities as well is designated as a place to grow.
What needs to be addressed is how to we attract some higher paying jobs to the area(not necessarily manuafacturing), maintain and build on social services as well as build on programs to keep people in school.
The environment, hospital and racetrack will still be hot topics in the next election whether people like it or not. Instead of fighting the PSW designations, embrace it and create a "Green Community" and promote the green spaces.
Tourism is another hot issue that should be addressed. There are tonnes of things that need to be built on and promoted and there should be a proper department representing it or do what other municipalities do-let the chambers take over.
So the future needs to be well-versed on all local issues, impartial, and not treat this position as a stepping stone to something greater.
And Sadly 20 years later the Old Boys club still don't get it.
Martin and his goons are a disgrace and a failure.
Curious, why are the "Martin" supporters not answering the bloggers Question? it has become somewhat of an event here and we are axiously waiting to see what he has done since none of us can say with any certainity 3 things Martin has done to benifit the community before he was Mayor and 3things as Mayor.
To the Blogger with NO HONOUR.
We looked up "Doug Martin a Good Mayor" in Wikepedia, all we found was.......nothing!
Are you the one refered to as " The Happy Meal Kid"?
I went to the Falls today to enjoy a meal at the Swiss Chalet. Afterwards, we went to Giant Tiger where I spent close to $40. that I would gladly have spent in Fort Erie if there still was a Giant Tiger here. I really miss that place. I wonder if our illustrious head of EDTC did anything to try to save that store from closing with anything even close to the enthusiasm that he has demonstrated to save the track. I guess that retail stores and small businesses don't mean as much to Thiefbird. I heard that Staples did not receive a very warm welcome from Hizzoner. Hee!
I am responding to the blogger who stated that tourism is another hot issue here....do what other municipalities do-let the chambers take over. While I agree with your statement there is a fundamental problem in this town that makes that statement rather undoable, unless the current council can change the line items on the Economic Development and Tourism Corporation budget. It should be known that at one time there was a small amount of funding in the town budget, but it was taken away from the FE chamber of commerce many years ago when the EDTC (Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Corporation) was formed and it became part of their mandate to promote the town for all reasons, including tourism. The question here is are they? To many on the inside it doesn't appear so, as they give no money to the local festivals to promote themselves.
I believe that it may have had something to do with the fact that the Chamber is a stand alone business organization in this town, not funded by the taxpayer in any way, only by the membership fees that they charge each year to the businesses and organizations that choose to join it, and the edtc is a town arms length organization, funded wholly by the taxpayers of Fort Erie.
I guess this would be a good question to put forth to the current council and mayor.
Excellent point. IMHO, the EDTC has been given carte blanche to operate in any way it seems fit. As a separate corporation, they have operated with a total lack of transparency. The head of the EDTC has certainly stepped up for the track and the gaming part of our economy, but what is he doing to bring in new industries or companies that would create full time, well-paid employment? We don't hear about that. All we hear is that he's working to buy the racetrack. BTW, I have a copy of the Ontario Jockey Club's 1992 commissioned study of the effect of casino gambling on the horse racing industry. I think that the study, which said that casino gambling in Ontario would have a devastating effect on the horse racing industry, was what prompted the OJC to unload the track shortly after casino gambling came to Niagara. Too bad Jim Thibert and others didn't read the study before they pledged all that money to bail out Nordic Games. It's available here:
https://dspace.ucalgary.ca/bitstream/1880/502/1/ahb.pdf Read it and weep.
Is that why the OJC unloaded Woodbine?
It would seem so to anyone who read it. Too bad Martin and Thief-bird can't read.
Ummm, I think that OJC became the Woodbine Entertainment Group in 2001. Check the interwebs page.
Did anyone read the whole piece? Notice that it talks about Fort Erie a lot and how it was losing millions even over fifteen years ago. The track was in decline back then and the study concluded that it would worsen if and when casino gambling was allowed in Ontario. Not only did the province endorse casino gambling, but some brainiac thought it was a good idea to put a casino at the racetrack! That decision delivered a serious blow to charity bingos as well as the race track betting proceeds, although the horse track did receive a cut of the casino proceeds. And how well did that work out for the track? The study also noted the large American attendance at Fort Erie's race track, but that was well before 9/11 and, with the changes in policy to take place on June 1, tourism from the US will be severely affected. Woodbine is holding its own because it has a much larger potential attendance base. That is no longer true for Fort Erie.
Like i said, the truth is evident to anyone that read it. Seems no one at EDTC and Town Haul read it.
BTW: we are all still waitng for the Martin supporters to list three things Doug Martin did for Fort Erie as regional councillor BEFORE he was Mayor and three things as Mayor.
We in the office( some of which are FORMER Martin supporters) find it very amusing that the Marin apologist cannot even respond to the original bloggers question.
Seems there is a pool going on here. I for one have bet that they won't answer because they cannot come up with any. LOL !!
If we- and I'm certain many people now even the "clones" some of us get accused as being because we ask questions) want to know!
The money the winner gets will be donated.
We are still waiting for an answer.
My sentiments exactly, and even though it is unpopular I have been saying these things and others all along. I cannot help but wonder and speculate what the ulterior motive behind this whole save the racetrack campaign must be, because you and I and I am sure everyone reading this must be aware that the EDTC has to have read this study. Was it to save someones job? Line someones pocketbook? What? I guess we just wait and see if a business proposal actually comes forward within the 90 day deadline.
I have an idea and it would save us 23 million dollars. Due to the high property taxes in Niagara Falls, the Bird Kingdom is up for sale for 12 million dollars.
Woodbine Entertainment Group the owners of Wodbine Racetrack and Mohawk Raceway and ALL their subsiduaries IS a non profit organization. Go figure. And they used to be the biggest horse racing profit group in North America.....The Ontario Jockey Commission......Huh.
Woodbine Entertainment Group is making tons of money, providing hundreds of jobs, pumping money into ancilliary businesses and pouring money into the local economy.
They do this operating as a NON-PROFIT CORPORATION.
Hmmm, where have I heard that idea?
It works in Woodbine for a number of reasons: good management; large potential audience and location, location, location. Its casino has no bigger and better competition a few miles away. Fort Erie enjoyed these aspects in the past. Does not now. Even with good management, the other factors cannot be changed. As I said before, FE Race track relied heavily on attendance from Western New York. That has gone down considerably in the past few years and, after June 1, it will be less - until this documentation situation is resolved. Many Americans who live in the Buffalo area, have never applied for a passport. Now, they will have to pay about $100. to get one if they want to travel to Canada. Do you really think that people who want to go to the race track will "pony up" $100. just so they can watch live racing? The gamblers will go to OTB or one of the casinos on the US side. There are not enough locals or tourists to bring up attendance at the already attendance-challenged Fort Erie Race Track. Still not enough reason to use taxpayer money to buy the track and run it as a non-profit, given its bad financial "track record."
Or maybe they will get a $50 Nexus card or an $60 Us passport card, and the numbers out of the US they are saying that up to 70% oof the citizens have or have applied for one of these documents. What will hurt worse is the canadian shoppers that will not be keeping Erie County in the black by shopping at the Galleria.
Hmmmmm....dont forget the states with enhanced drivers licences like NY and Washington....Huh
True, but is that going to bring more people to the track - or less? I remember the days when the grandstands and Jockey Club were full of people every time they raced. That was twenty years ago. Things have changed - greatly. Sorry to burst your delusion, but horse racing in Fort Erie has come to the end of its days. This season may well be the last. The taxpayers ponied up $1.5 million to help underwrite the projected losses for the 2009 season. What in the world makes you think that this scenario is going to change if and when the EDTC et al buy the track and run it as a non-profit? Who is going to absorb the projected $4 million yearly loss? The same type of loss that was recorded in the OJC loss. I personally know the people behind the OJC and they are smart businessmen. They knew when to "hold 'em and when to fold 'em." They're still very much in business, making millions elsewhere - like in hockey, etc.
Well, it is nice to know that THE EDITOR hobnobs with the elite of the Canadian horse racing society,
Whoda thunk it?
The Editor says that one of the reasons Woodbine succeeds is "good management".
CANGAMBLE says that Woodbine and the ORC are "morons".
Who to believe? Who to believe?
I don"t hobnob with anyone. My family was close to the family that owned the Jockey Club years ago. Cangamble is probably much more knowledgeable about Woodbine's management than I am. But you claimed that everything was going great and they're making millions. Did you ever look into why Woodbine is doing well?
If the workers at the race track are so knowledgable about what constitutes good management then why are they still workers. They should be intellegent enough to realize that the management is bad and leave to run their own company. It is typical of lazy workers to blame all around them for their own misgivings.
Woodbine is doing well because they operate as a non-profit entity.
They are able to put money back into the operation rather than in the owners pockets. This enables them to maintain their operation and continue to keep/create jobs and help sustain the local economy.
I'm sorry. You can't say that the only reason Woodbine is doing well is because of its non-profit status without taking the other factors into account. You're still not talking about Fort Erie as the OJC study is damning evidence that the FE track is finished. It has been in decline for years and nothing will bring it back to its former glory. BTW, you still haven't named three things that Martin did to benefit FE before he was elected mayor and three things he has done to benefit the town since he was elected mayor. Come on, we know you can do it! Think hard.
Back when this report was written the OJC was using Fort Erie for its B horses, those that were not good enough for the Toronto track. this is why they were starting to lose money, plus the recession of the day.
If the Fort Erie track was allowed to compete for the better horses, which they would be if they were a not for profit organization, then you would see increases in everything at the track.
"OJC STUDY SAYS FORT ERIE RACING IS DOOMED"????
Nothing like having your competitor study your business and tell everyone that it is no good.
Might as well have expected Henry Ford to make Oldsmobile commercials.
I thought that question was for supporters of the mayor.
The study concludes that Fort Erie Race Track is doomed if casino gambling is allowed in Ontario. Casino gambling came to Ontario i.e. Fort Erie RT is doomed. Pay attention here.
Of course the track is doomed, it has been doomed for years. Can no one put two and two together and realize that this study was correct? Come on people, open your eyes. The main problem is that bingo, casino, and the track are all feeding from the same trough, pardon the pun. Not to mention the economy, the passport/enhanced license issue, etc.
It was not bad management that caused its demise, it was so many other factors that anyone from the outside looking in can see clear as day. The people who can't seem too see it are the ones who have let their emotions get in the way, and they need to remember, it's not personal, it's business. Try to take a look at it from the bottom line.
They ARE suporters of the Mayor and for some reason cannot answer the question.
Anonymous disagrees with the rest of the clones. He says it was not "bad management" that has caused the track to have problems.
They continue to evade the BROWN LIPS do and still won't answer a simple question about there "leader".
Your words are of no value.
Cylon
All will be Revealed
On March 25 at 352 I said then, and can say now,it will be a long wait,before someone can come up with 3 (THRE) things the mayor has done for us. WAIT ON.
I work at the track. One of the things the mayor has accomplished is to help put food on the table for my three young children.
I beg to differ. You put food on the table for your children, not the mayor. You work for a living. It is good that you are able to continue working at the track, but, during the hiatus, you probably had to apply for and receive unemployment insurance. Wouldn't you prefer to work all year long?
minium wages does put food on tables,but it is NO THANKS to the mayor,this is not THE MAYORS accomplishment.you are only working, part time, or seasonal,you do not depend on the mayor,in the winter to put food on the table,unfortunatly you and your children, are in danger and YOU think the mayor deserves credit, perhaps your taxes are lower than ours,less? enjoy the pay cheque while it lasts,because it won't last long.
I AM GLAD THAT THE TRACK IS OPEN FOR ANOTHER SEASON AND THAT THOSE WHO DEPEND ON THE TRACK CAN FEED THEIR CHILDREN. THE MAYORS ROLE IN THIS IS MINIMAL AT BEST. NORDIC HAD NO INTENTION OF WALKING AWAY FROM THE SLOT REVENUE WHICH THEY HAVE ONE YEAR LEFT OF THEIR CONTRACT. IT IS AS I SAID EARLIER A CASE ON WHO WILL BLINK FIRST AND THE TOWN BLINKED AT A HIGH COST OF 2MILLION ( IF THE MONEY WASN'T USED HERE IT MAY HAVE GONE TOWARDS SOMETHING THAT IN THE LONG RUN WILL BE SUSTAINABLE UNLIKE THIS REIDUCULOUS 35 MILLION " HEY LET'S BUY A RACE TRACK" SCHEME.) IN A FEW YEARS WE ALL WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE WITH THIS COUNCIL'S SPEND AND SPEND PHILOSPOHY, MORE STAFF, HIGHER SALARIES ETC.ETC. LOOK AROUND AT THE OUTHER MUNICIPALITIES THERE TAXES WENT UP MINIMALLY IN THE LAST 3 YEARS OURS ARE OVER 30%. THE MAYOR CONTINUALLY STATES " WE WILL STAY THE COURSE', WELL I FOR ONE HOPE THEY GET ANOTHER MAP FOR ON THE CURRENT COURSE I WILL SEE TAXES GO UP AGAIN AROUND 10% NEXT YEAR. FOR A CHANGE LET'S LOOK AT DOING MORE WITH LESS!!!
What makes you morons think you know how many hours, weeks or months I work at the track every year. How do you know if I have a full-time job or not? Unlike some people I have never collected unemployment insurance or welfare in my life despite the editor saying I probably had to. Can she make the same claim?
Your basic assumption that the mayor is responsible for the fact that you are able to feed your children is flawed. The vast majority of race track workers are laid off during the winter and they get unemployment benefits to which they have paid into and are entitled to receive, just like others, myself included, have been on unemployment. I have also been on welfare. Is that a crime? When a person is self-employed and has to close down their business, there is little choice unless the person is independently wealthy. You seem to be happy with working at the track, but you do realize that your job is in serious jeopardy. Personally, I would be looking around for Plan B or updating my skills if I had young children to support. JMO.
Even if I had a seasonal job it we be better than no job at all. We track workers thank the mayor and the EDTC every day for helping to save our jobs. I am sure that local horse owners, farmers and businesses are also grateful.
Until the scam is exposed and your children will suffer because of these idiots, what part of horse racing is DEAD in Fort Erie are you having trouble accepting?
If Martin and Thief-Bird had Brains they would have had a real economic development plan, one to help real business here now and to bring new ones in. They instead choose to scam the taxpayers with their own money. Do you think with MARTIN rasing taxes over 30% is good in attracting business?
Martin and Thief-bird have done everthing to get rid of business and to chase away new ones.
The horse "men" and the other reguklar people are being scammed and you WILL NOT HAVE A TRACK NEXT YEAR but Martin and Theif-bird and the gang will all have fat payoffs while YOU beg and grovel for crumbs for your children.
Please look at this objectivley and stand up to these crooks.
Horse racing is dead in Fort Erie. I went by the other day and saw dead horses walking.
YOU WILL NOT HAVE A TRACK NEXT YEAR.
Did you copy this from one of your posts from last year.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
I wonder if the employees who just received pink slips are glad that the town and EDTC saved the racetrack.
DMI Industries, which makes the large towers for wind turbines, has issued lay-off notices to about 40 employees. That's in addition to the approximately 40 jobs lost in early January.
Eleven employees at Durez Canada, which manufactures chemical resins and compounds for the automotive industry are also out of work, according to Robert Hunt, plant manager.
DMI is slowly pulling out of Canada and Fort Erie. In the meantime, misguided people like our poster from the track (I don't really believe that he is for real) is "grateful" to the mayor and EDTC for saving his job. I wonder what the recently laid off employees think of our mayor. I'm sure they join all property owners in their gratitude for our mayor, his staff and the councillors for the yearly tax increases.
Oh, BTW, Sandy Annunziata is not seeking re-election. He's actively pursuing the nomination to run against Kim Craitor and has been busy distancing himself from Fort Erie's Messofortania. Brother Anthony is being groomed to run in Niagara Falls. Meanwhile, Mike Harris, Jr. (Tim Hudak) will seek the Tory party leadership. OMG! We are doomed!
For The IDIOT that can't read (must be a Martin supporter)
The blogger stated "horse RACING is DEAD in Fort Erie.
A evil Dictator once stated;
"What luck for rulers that men don't Think"
Not Doomed just F**KED
And those jobs at Durez and DMI, and Fleet (who is a mere shell of what it used to be; and almost was nothing at all) were well paying, year round, full time jobs. They were worth saving.
And by the way, Mr or Mrs Racetrack worker, maybe you should also be giving the credit to the taxpayers of Fort Erie for saving your jobs for another year. It was our money that went to the non refundable down payment that made this happen.
Do you know if Rob Hunt contacted the Town or the EDTC for assistance?
Did they even announce the impending layoff before simply issuing the notices.
"Durez Canada manufactures chemical resins and compounds for the AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY".
Does the editor really believe that the mayor and the EDTC should travel to Detroit and solve the problems at Chevy, Ford and Chrysler? Has she even read anything about the state of the AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.
Okay, sometimes when I have a very strong opinion about something I am actually really hoping that somehow someone can prove to me that my opinion is wrong. Well, this one really saddens me...because, I have been saying on this blog and to anyone who will listen, that this whole deal to save the track seems fishy, as though it was concocted to somehow line the pocketbooks of certain people, or to further certain peoples political aspirations. And oddly enough I have been right on with my guesses of who that would be. Although I will admit there is one name missing in the below consortia list, but, I fully expect to hear it tied to this very soon. Possibly as the new Operations Manager.
Well, here goes...I just read the front page story on this Fridays Fort Erie Post, about the Consortia who will be running the track and guess who it is...six degrees of separation....with only one name missing and a few new players added in...
And I quote"The working board of directors is currently comprised of Sue Leslie, President, OHBPA, as the chairperson; Jim Thibert, general manager, EDTC, as the CEO and secretary to the board; Claude Pilato, chairman, EDTC; Councillor Sandy Annunziatta, board member, EDTC' Nick Gonzales, vice president, OHBPA; and Harry Schlange, CAO, Town of Fort Erie."
It is my belief that we the taxpayers just put out millions of dollars to form a not for profit corporation so that best friends, back patters, and cigar smoking at the country club, good old boys and girls can pay themselves, I believe and so does my husband, that a working board pays itself to run a corporation.
I have a few other questions regarding;
1- Jim Thibert has been heard saying that he knows hardly anything about the horseracing industry. How is he qualified to run this?
2- Same question for the rest of them, excepting the HBPA people.
3- Did Sandy Annunziatta excuse himself for pecuniary interests from the councillor vote to okay the 250,000 non refundable deposit?
4- For that matter did Claude Pilato, and Sandy excuse themselves from the EDTC board room vote on the same matter?
I have been on a few boards in this town, and if you have a vested or pecuniary interest in the matter on the table it is protocol to excuse yourself from the vote. Also it is customary that if you are going to apply for a job in that organization that you are on the board for, resigning from the board is customary before hand. In essence since the EDTC will be running the new Consortium, it is an arms length separate corporation of the EDTC, ergo a job at the EDTC.
Please anyone straighten me out on this if I am incorrect, because I really do want to believe that this whole plan was concocted in the right spirit and not for what seems to be self serving reasons.
to the track worker; if the track has closed were would you have gone for a job? left town and found work at another track? or stayed and took a job at tim hortons or burger king to support your family? or maybe you know someone at town hall to get a job on a summer crew? dont forget horses have to eat to. the town didnt step in and offer to buy fleet when it wass closing so why should it by a racetrack at an inflated price. fleet workers put alot more back into the town econmy than the workers at the track, who are mostly here only sesonal.
Does the editor really believe that the mayor and the EDTC should travel to Detroit and solve the problems at Chevy, Ford and Chrysler? Has she even read anything about the state of the AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.
No, but I didn't expect the mayor and the EDTC to travel to Dubai to find "investors" for Fort Erie either. Too bad they didn't check into the state of horse racing before they pledged money to the Fort Erie Race Track to bail it out for another season. Good luck with that business plan, Jimmie & Co. Try the Fort Erie Business Development Centre. If you go them with such an outrageously stooopid idea, you should be laughed out of the office. But you're "bullet-proof" aren't you Thiefbird? And you will "crush anyone who gets in your way."
While that is going on, people that have been working for DMH have been seeking transfers to other hospitals .......
I understand the point of blogging, but it is time to take this a step further and resurrect the Fort Erie Tax Payers Association to demand some answers.There are a lot of people in town that are completely disgusted with this issue that would fully support this group. We need to step away from the safety of our computers and actually act.
As far as I know regarding conflict of interest- if an issue comes up where you or a direct member of family are in receipt of monies- it is a conflict of interest. In most cases you have to declare a conflict of interest and you have to remove yourself from the room so as to not influence the vote.
I guess the business savy editor doesn't realize that there is money in Dubai and losers in Detroit.
The car racing idea is so "far-fetched" that two other groups are now developing the same type of proposal.
I have worked in this town for over 45 years without relying on Burger King or Tim Hortons (even though I once won a muffin). I have collected a paycheck EVERY WEEK OF EVERY YEAR. I have never collected one penny of welfare or unemployment. There are still good jobs out there for people that actually want to work rather than slopping at the public trough while whining, crying and blaming others.
My, my, my. The Kool-Aid drinking supporters of the current administration are really getting angry. I like the one about the Dubai supporters of the Not-NASCAR race track. Those people walked away from the table a long time ago. And the other "super secret" race track interest is just another one of Jim Thiefbird's illusions. Pay no attention to the man behind the horse's ass. All this talk about being able to find a job in Fort Erie. Whomever sent that in must work for the town. Those are the only jobs that are recession proof in Fort Erie. Otherwise, it's pretty grim out there.
"There are still good jobs out there for someone who wants to work"
WHAT!!!! WHERE!!!
You can't possibly be talking about good jobs in Fort Erie. And please quantify what you mean by a good job. If you mean McDonalds or Tim Hortons they are not good jobs, unless you like being treated with no respect 8 to 10 hours a day and being paid minimum wage. I did those jobs years ago when I was young and I will never put myself through that again.
I am currently unemployed for over 9 months and have answered every ad and sent resumes to every job that I feel I am qualified for in Fort Erie. Because I am broke I cannot afford a car to take a job out of town. I haven't even got an interview. From what I am being told the ads are being answered by over 200 people per job, which gives them the chance to be extremely picky about who they hire.
Whoever you are that said that you are not living in the reality of this town, you have somehow been very lucky in the job field. Not everyone is. Try having a heart and stop judging people.
I can relate to your situation. I did manage to get a job in Fort Erie several years ago, but, back then the transit did not start running until almost 10:00 am and the last bus from Fort Erie left at 4:30 P.M. I used to "cab pool" with other people in the same situation - for minimum wage. Then I was lucky enough to get a job in Welland and was also lucky enough to find someone to carpool with until I could afford to buy a car. Another friend of mine who had been searching for work for several months, finally got a job in St. Catharines and moved there. Our young people have little choice but to move out of town unless they are lucky enough to get one of the few good paying jobs in Fort Erie. The unemployment rate in Fort Erie is the highest in Niagara which is second only to Windsor for the highest rate in Canada. Unemployment is close to 12% in Fort Erie. BTW, the food bank is in great need as it now helps over 600 families per month. To those who judge: maybe one or more of those 600 families are friends or relatives of yours. Do you think they enjoy having to go to the food bank? Do you think that everyone who accepts welfare is undeserving? I think you deserve some Karma.
So the Grand Illusion Of Martin, Theif-Bird and the Gang of the OBC begins to unravel. Well done citizens! a good start.
Speak out and encourage your friends and relatives to speak as well. Blow away and shatter the smoke and mirriors the OBC have created.
The truth is powerful indeed- and it's spreading.
V
To the person who suggested restarting the Fort Erie Taxpayers Association, and for those behind the computer to step out from the safety I would just like to say, how do we do it?
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