For the past week, I have been traveling back and forth to Buffalo due to a family illness. One night, I called the hospital from my friend's phone (she has a long distance plan,) and the nurse who answered asked me if I was calling from Ridgeway and I said, "Yes." She said she used to live here, but I couldn't talk to her as I needed to talk to the ICU nurse. When I visited the hospital the next day, I sought out the nurse I had spoken with and we had quite a conversation. She was born and raised in Fort Erie and lived in Ridgeway for several years before moving to Buffalo. She described Ridgeway as "like Mayberry," a great place to raise kids and a beautiful quaint little town. "It still is," I explained, but I did point out that there is a tremendous lot of development since she left. I told her of the devastating fire at St. Luke's and a couple of other events of note. She was saddened to hear of the closure of the "Thunder Bay Golf Course" and very upset that Bay Beach might be sold to a developer. She said her sister comes down from Toronto practically every weekend in the summer and they go to the beach together and visit relatives who still live in the area. The other nurses at the station were skeptical and said that the Ridgeway resident was "always talking about how great it was to grow up in Ridgeway." I explained that that was the reason I moved to Canada.
This brings me to my point: are we watching the destruction of the very reason that people want to live in Fort Erie? Sure, the new residents moving into the area need housing, but aren't all those McMansions counterproductive to the charm of the town? Just asking.
What do you think?
Saturday, April 4, 2009
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133 comments:
I am a former resident of Ridgeway, who moved to the metropolis of Fort Erie, because well the charm that lured me to Ridgeway was being gobbled up by new development. I was petrified that my old house would be viewed as junk by people moving into the community who only seemed to want new and that it would not sell if I waited too long.
NO.
Ah, the charm of the Metropolis of Fort Erie.
Yes, I realize the irony of my moving to Fort Erie, because now with the prices of houses dropping due to the economy, and soon because of the hospital and other issues.
But at the time the value of my house would be dropping in Ridgeway because of the overdevelopment of the area. Fort Erie seemed like a safer bet at the time.
The house I sold 3 years ago in Ridgeway because of the overdevelopment was recently sold for less than they paid for it to me. I have also noticed that homes are sitting on the market for a long time, some longer than a year in Ridgeway (and to be honest, Fort Erie), and are being price reduced continuously. Barring the bad economy there are other factors working against that market, which I suspect are what the editor has stated in her blog, and what I felt when I moved from there.
It is a SHAME to see all the DESTRUCTION and CONSTRUCTION, I drove through the old golf course site the homes are almost built backing on thunder bay rd.now. if you go to maple leaf drive it's worse,they have homes built and it appears you are going to buy close to a view of the lake,if you look closer you will realize MORE homes WILL be BUILT in FRONT OF THEM. there goes the view. These homes are not small or quaint,and are very out of place,NOW retirement villages? anyone over 60 is not thinking to clearly who wants to clean such large homes? and stairs is another issue,not to mention heating bills.the beautiful wildlife WE HAD is lost FOREVER hope you enjoy the view,at the expence of US LOSING our QUAINT LITTLE BIT OF CHARM.
This is happening throughout the town. At one point in time there was a downtown Fort Erie where there were actual stores to go to. In the area with Happy Jacks, there were shoe stores, movie theatre and drug stores. Kids were all over the place, actually walking to school and playing outside.
Big box stores and malls killed the downtowns as well as commuters using us as a bedroom neighbourhood.
I have always wondered why our downtowns (save Ridgeway-it thrives) cannot seem to make a go at it. We should be attracting some specialty shops to the area like a fabric or wool shop. I once went in to see what I should do to start a women's clothing shop and was told- "oh you are just wasting your time, you will never make a go of it in Fort Erie".
Ridgeway is not exactly thriving, but it is viable. There is good news there however: a woman from Toronto bought the Smith-Davison Bldg. and will put a movie theatre in there! Yay! It will play second run movies . The chairs will be comfy lounge chairs. I'm heard that there is a similar theatre in TO. When we were driving through the neighbourhood that I was raised in, part of the tour was down Hertel Avenue which was the major business district when I was a kid. Great mix of Jewish and Italian markets. Everything was there. Years ago, the whole area went into decline and there were many empty storefronts. Not today. At 9:00 p.m. the whole street was booming! People walking, stores open, bars and restaurants crowded and our lovely, fondly remembered North Park Theater where yours truly and many others spent Saturday afternoons in the winter. It's still open and playing art films. On the marquee was the attraction playing: The Godfather. My old 'hood has become Yuppifyed and that is good. My old street is full of young families who bought and maintained beautifully, the grand old homes on the tree-lined streets. It felt really good to see that the neighbourhood has improved without the destruction of the beautiful old homes. BTW, we were fortunate enough to have a Frank Lloyd Wright home right behind our own house and another two a couple of blocks away. Way back in the 1950s, one of those homes was scheduled to be demolished until a citizens' group intervened.
So the LOSERS at town HAUL can waste our tax dollars on the SCAM TRACK, raise taxes on property and water, LOSE our beach to Pay for the SCAM TRACK (even thought THE BEACH IS THE MONEY MAKER) and yet the LOSERS at Town HAUL AND the Thief at EDTC Cannot EVEN get GO service to FORT ERIE!!!!
I hope after the next election the SENIOR STAFF IS FIRED!!
Then, THIEF-BIRD and MARTIN ARE CHARGED AND CIVIL LITIGATION IS BROUGHT AGAINST THEM ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN AND A FULL FORENSIC AUDIT IS DONE ON THE TOWN!
To the Town ass kissers, can you feel it? THE WIND OF CHANGE IS HERE. YOU HAVE LOST, THE PEOPLE ARE AWAKE.
PS: STILL CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT WHAT MARTIN HAS DONE FOR FORT ERIE?
YOU CAN'T ANSWER BECAUSE HE IS THE WORST MAYOR FORT ERIE EVER HAD!!!
HE HAS DONE NOTHING, GET IT? NOTHING OF SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT TO THIS COMMUNITY!, HE HAS CAUSED HARM AND IS A BULLY!!
HE - AND THE RECENT ARRIVAL TO OUR TOWN WHITLESS HAVE RUINED RIDGEWAY.
MARTIN AND HIS OBC ARE FAILURES AND A CANCER TO THIS TOWN.
Tonight the people of Fort Erie will see the beginning of the end for two popular recreation spots: Ridgeway Shores Golf Club and Bay Beach Properties. Somehow, it is more important to the OBC to promote a gambling venue than a tourist draw that is family oriented and provides exercise and fresh air, like the two properties. Too bad the town didn't pony up the money to buy the golf course and keep it as a municipal course. Oh, that's right. It was losing money. Hmm. Where have we heard that one before? Track workers, BTW, are being told that the reason the track is losing money is because of the high taxes that Nordic has to pay to the government. Way to spin that story, Jimmy Boy. This is a true MESSOFORTAMIA. (tm Jon Stewart.)
NEWS FLASH! Fire station feasibility study will be presented at council tonight. Say good night, Fort Erie LaFrance Association. They want your building and since you have only a couple dozen members and not enough money from bingo to sustain you, you'll be AUF'ed. (tm TWOP.)
Another moronic loser who claims that we are going to lose our beach.
Here's a clue: we all know that the sand beach will not be sold, moron. It's the lands around the beach that are what we're talking about, clueless one. Hope you enjoy spending your free time at the Fort Erie Race Track betting all your hard-earned money, propping them up so that they will be able to stay open. Meanwhile, those of us who think that selling the Bay Beach Properties or entering into a so-called public/private partnership is not a good idea - especially when the town just pledged 250,000 towards the race track, will continue the fight to keep our beach properties open and accessible.
UMMM The LaFrance building is just that a building. mIt could not fit even the smallest of the trucks we have now. Besides it would be the absolute worst spot in Fort Erie (the real Fort Erie) for a fire hall. For crips sake you cannot get inand out of MickyD's or the International centre as it is now.
Come on lets be realistic.
as realistic as the SCAM with the Museum and the Meth building??
Moving day today
Is it not the job of the EDTC to bring services such as GO Transit to Fort Erie? I remmber dring one of the debates for Mayor when Papadkis and Lewis talked about the need to bring GO service to Fort Erie. I clearly remmber that Doug Martin also said it was important and he would bring the service if elected Mayor, it was one of the reasons I voted for him(Since then I am very sorry i did) so what happened? almost every municipality in Niagara gets GO transit but us?
Is it not the job of the town and EDTC to get us these services?
I am no expert on politics or business but is GO transit something that would help our town?
I have sent an email to the Mayor and my councillor but I understand I cannot talk to the EDTC about these matters. Why can't I? I for one want an explination from the Mayor.
I think the NO-GO>TO is a serious setback to Fort Erie's economic development. While the unemployment in Fort Erie is over 10%, there are jobs in other markets, especially Toronto that might keep residents here paying taxes and spending in the community if getting to those jobs in TO were easily and inexpensive to commute to. Not to mention that it will give people from Toronto an easier way to visit Fort Erie - and perhaps even go to the race track. It's a NO BRAINER. Where was the mayor while all this was going on? Where was the EDTC? Oh, that's right. They went to Dubai to look for investors in the NOT NASCAR track.
I am wondering at what point did some of the citizens in this town become so exclusionary that it could almost be termed racist. I dont think any of us have the right to choose who lives here, how they live here, and in what kind of house they live in.
We are becoming no better than the whites of the forties and fifties keeping the blacks out of the neighbourhood.
And don't be afraid to post this because it will end up somewhere else anyway.
The development of GO-TRANSIT has been ongoing for many years. It has been well-known that expansion to Fort Erie was not going to be put into place for many more years. Naiagara Falls (a logical expansion) has been lobbying for over 10 years. What is needed more than GO-TRANSIT is regional transportation to take advantage of job openings throughout the region.
By the way, did you reread the anonymous post that said we are losing our beach and correct your insulting comment?
Sooo that means Fort Erie gets NO GO?
Right?
I guess all this begs the question: did Doug Martin lie when he said he was going to get GO>TO service in Fort Erie? Is this another of his "campaign promises" gone awry? Like all his others. We're still waiting for a list of things that Martin has done to the benefit of Fort Erie, either before or after he became mayor. As to my "insulting remarks" regarding an anonymous poster's remark about the sale of "our beach," you know exactly what we're talking about here. You're just trying to throw the discussion off track (hee.) You called the other poster a moron; I was just responding so that you would understand as you are apparently very familiar with moronspeak, having learned from some of the best in the OBC.
Hey Moron- to use your words, when we say "the beach" we understand that it is the entrance to the beach but it may as well be the beach because we will be cut off from it. Are you clear now?
very disgusted when i read about the bay beach property. how cme only one company interested. what ever happened to something being tendered or put on the market for other people or companies to make a bid on. whatever happened to the highest bidder? not that i am in favor of it being developed.
I think that we should all be asking is why we are being left out when it comes to funding initiatives?
If you listen 610 AM, one of the major reasons for bringing the Go down here is to assist Brock Students and business commuters to St. Catherines. Niagara Falls has been lobbying with the hopes that this will bring more tourists to them.
It still doesn't address the issue of inter municipal transit or transportation issues arising from the new hospital.
Well .... let's face it folks. While we were locked out of a CLOSED meeting that affects OUR community, in all likelyhood, our mistakenly elected officials have probably given away our last gem .... the beach.
Sure .... I know .... it's not all of the beach, but think of it ... the building .... the parking requirements ..... the landscaping. That takes a lot of property. Once OURS ..... soon to be owned not by you .... or you ....or you ..... as citizens of this community, but by an outside developer who doesn't give a rats ass about OUR town, our history our PRIDE.
They ( the council) have given away the golf course, and allong with their "associates" have squandered away all of our towns assets and money.
It is total lunacy what this council is doing. There is no concern for the residents. Raise taxes, rase water rates, let subdivisions flood with no regard.
There have been numerous groups that have protested objections to their actions and they just turn a deaf ear to the people who put them in office.
Enough is enough ....... this has gotten way too rediculous. These council members should be confronted at coucil meetings and physically ..... YES PHYSICALLY removed from their chairs.
They have RAPED Fort Erie and all the towns it affects. They have shown NO usefull purpose to the community.
To the current council ...... get your teeth fixed, you prescriptions filled, your glasses refitted, because we are sick and tired of not only paying your undeserved salaries, but fed up with supporting your families too with all your benifits which are denied to the majority of the residents of Fort Erie as our working force stumbles and falls because of your mistakes.
IT IS TIME TO ACT ...... TWO MORE YEARS OF THIS WILL MOST CERTAINLY DRIVE OUR COMMUNITY INTO BANKRUPTCY.
An interesting night:
Someone claimed that we were going to be cut off from the entrance to the beach.
Said the town should have called for tenders for the development and then said it shouldn't be developed.
Claimed to have been locked out of a closed meeting not realizing that that is what closed means.
Claimed "the council" gave away the golf course.
ADVOCATED PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST COUNCIL MEMBERS!!!
Beware--These people walk amongst us.
I am so confused these days...can someone please tell me what is the job of the EDTC? Oh, I'm sorry, silly me, I forgot, they don't have to talk to us anymore because this mayor and some council members(Whitfield, Annunziattia) have backed the manager/ bully in his closed door policy. What do they have to hide?
Are you people for real???? . If you think you can do better then throw your hat in the ring !!!.. and then we will see if you all can do better !.. doubt it..
This blog is for people to express their opinions. Some of the remarks show that some people don't know everything about the issue, but they are understanding how seldom the present administration in Fort Erie really listens to the people. When there is no transparency in government, people get angry and upset. I was surprised that one poster wanted to pull councillors from their chairs. That is anarchy and I personally do not espouse nor encourage that, but I printed the remarks as they showed the frustration felt by many in FE. I think about the shootings in Missouri last year and I worry. I attended last night's council-in-committee and felt the anger and frustration and I worry. The disrespect that Martin showed towards Ann Marie was, once again deplorable. She's very popular with the people because she does her job. Martin does himself a huge disservice by being nasty towards her - and everyone there saw it last night once again.
As to the "closed meeting." it may or may not fit the criteria under the Municipal Act of 2001, but I plan to call the Ombudsman's Office today for clarification. I don't quite understand that a mere presentation of an interested party needs to be conducted behind closed doors. It gives people the impression that it's a "done deal." The remark about the golf course was incorrect, but the sentiment was correct. The town should have offered to buy the golf course but didn't because a developer/campaign contributor wanted the land. Another, forward-thinking community would have done anything to keep that golf course operating. It was a major asset to Ridgeway and Fort Erie, like the Bay Beach Properties. It has already been assumed by many, yours truly included, that when the BBP is sold, beach access will be severely affected. I see the worst happening: a high rise apartment building (would require a zoning change and we know how easy that is to get when a developer's pockets are deep.) Once the Molinaro Group gets the go-ahead, the real plans will come out and it will be done as few will have the necessary funds to challenge through the OMB. To the sycophants of the current administration who respond to this blog: if you can't see or feel the frustration and anger of the people of this community, you're simply not paying attention. I guess the perks of being part of the powers that be have affected your conscience - and not in a good way.
Can't you realize that some of us are not angry. We are not connected to the town and we get no perks. We are simply citizens who believe differently than you believe.
There are many people who CAN do a better Job of running this Town and with the help of the people who have moved in to the "new developments" and the people (a large number and growing who are now seeing the truth about Martin and the OBC) there WILL be a new Council and NEW staff. Like it or not you had your chance (the OBC) and FAILED with honours. Your days are numbered and you have already lost.
Hey Editor, I took a look at the campaign contribution list. I can now say Doug Martin does NOT represent our community. He represents the developers and the OBC. He can't even address the issue of staff and their salaries because his wife works at the town - what a wimp-like method of NOT addressing the cost of staff-nibber!
Is this what you voted for People of Fort Erie? Cause that's what you got.
Different from the reality of the truth?
so did the Fasicst and the communist and the inquasition.
YOUR BELIEF HAS CAUSED HARM TO THIS COMMUNITY AND ITS CITIZENS
There is plenty of room on this blog for differing opinions, but some are taking comments and twisting them to suit their own purposes. BTW, if you do think Martin is doing a good job, you should be able to tell our dear readers at least three things that Martin has done for the benefit of the people in Fort Erie.
Doug Martin has fought long and hard to save the hospital. He has explored and continues to explore every avenue. He, the council, the mayors committee and the people have worked as one on the problem. Anyone who denies that truth is simply ignoring it to support their own agenda.
Some would say that Martin's lack of leadership caused the hospital ER closure in the first place. However, I can only draw from personal experience and knowledge of the situation. Grimsby, when faced with ER closure many years ago, broke away from the Niagara Health System and joined the Hamilton System. Its hospital is thriving and growing. Port Colborne, when faced with ER closure several years ago began an aggressive campaign to bring new doctors to the area and succeeded. Now, Port Colborne is talking about breaking away from the NHS and building a new hospital. It has been said that PC Mayor Badaway refuses to work with Martin on this. Why is that? If Martin is such a stand-up guy, why do the many of the other mayors in the area have no respect for him? Wouldn't that be the solution to the problem should all else fail? Work with Port Colborne and place a new hospital on Highway 3 near the town line between Port and Fort Erie? I'm sure the people of both towns would gladly pay more taxes or contribute if their hospital was theirs and never again in danger of closure. In order for Fort Erie to remain a viable community, it needs a fully functioning hospital.
I for one am not willing to pay more tax money for our own hospital.
I would how ever be willing to direct what I pay now for an all inclusive hospital that you can get any type od procedure done an not have to go on a waiting list.
My money to the solialist leaning liberals or to my town, I and most others would pick the town any day.
Yea and dont have an accidet here because you will have to go to lWelland or Niagara Falls for help, by yourself because you cant use our ambulance, its for residents only.
Hey do we get our own border guards with this.
Are you not refering to the Socilasit Federal CONservatives, you know, like; BANKS! 100 billion + 50 Billion in taz CUTS to the BANKS! The OIL COMPANITES, THE CAR COMPANIES, BAY STREET FINNANCIAL FRAUSTERS, THIS CONservative government has bailed out all the corparate crimminals and you talk about the Provincial Liberal?
Why don't you firt look at what BANK BOY COMRADE HARPER HAS DONE?
Seems he has been taking lessons from MARTIN and Theif-Bird on how to SCrew up and economy and ruin a community.
A Proud Liberal
Fort Erie can look forward to border guards and US Custom/Immigration moving to Fort Erie as part of Shared Border Management that is being reconsidered. Goodbye Mather Arch. It stands right where the US Shared Border Building is slated to stand. Word is that Mather Arch might be moved to the Coal Docks Land. Ambassador is now officially out of the picture. They gave up after years of opposition - not from the people - but from the PBA and its puppet mayor, Doug Martin.
So, the new Peace Bridge should be shovel ready, right? Wasn't the Ambassador "threat" the whole reason for the delays? Come on, Ron, you, "Bridge Builder" guy. Get it going, now that you have no more competition.
Ambassador gave up because because they could not meet the legal requiremants of both the Canadian and USA governments.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.
Friedrich Nietzsche
NOT a memmber of the OBC, and Proud of it.
I think that the proud liberal should look back and see that it was another liberal, Mr Ignatiaf that said they would bring down the government if the Conservatives did not bail out everybody.
Go on and take a look you will see that that is they way it happened.
Where o where were the FOCB Friends of Crystal Beach last night?
How exactly ARE you Friends Of Crystal Beach? Do you not see what is happening?
Having lived in various cities and towns accross this vast country, I find the people of Fort Erie not so different, but two things stand out. One they dont like newcommers, regardless of where they come from. Two their loyalty to their own, blinds them. Unbelievable that some still refuse to see the present council as the self serving unit that they are. Chances are there wont be much left here once they walk away laughing at you, their pockets full of kick backs.
Congratulations to the Niagara Falls council. Quote from Niagara Falls Review:
"It actually happened. City council froze taxes.
The rare move is a sign of the times and occurred Monday when councillors chopped the last $458,000 in spending that would have resulted in a tax increase."
Congrats to Niagara Falls! Too bad there's no such effort in Fort Erie. Council voted against an efficiency study last year, citing the high cost. But Fort Erie staff commissioned a fire department study when all they had to do is talk to the Chief and firefighters. They know exactly what this town needs. Don't need no 'spenive study for that. Then there's the phoney Parking Study in Crystal Beach which was commissioned to give the town planner the excuse to sell off the Bay Beach Parking Lots as the study declared them superfluous. So too, the Lobster House Study. Expensive wastes of the taxpayers' dollars. And don't get me started on the bloated salaries at town haul. I will be publishing the lastest Sunshine List: the ones with the disappearing over $100K head of the EDTC and CGDC. Sherbert Holmes is on the case and will report soon.
Read on my friend in the NF Review. The mayor also said that next year taxes will have to increase about 18% and a further 21% in 2011 to make up for not raising them this year. But all the people are hurting this year, but they still will go up. And its proven that if you wait it will cost more. Look out Niagara Falls.
Shades of the big city of Toronto. That is what got them so far behind and forced David Millar and his crew to raise taxes every year since he came to office.
Ya'all should read more than the front page.
Here is the latest idiocy and waste of taxpayers dollars in good ole Fort Drearie...as published in the Review.
Fort Erie tries to outsmart its wily coyotes
Posted 47 mins ago
Call Vegas – in the fight between municipal bureaucrats and coyotes, the smart money will be on the coyotes.
Fort Erie is the latest municipality to try to outsmart its wily coyotes. Good luck there. Short of hiring a squad of roadrunners – the coyote’s natural enemy (unless TV has steered us wrong for years) – it’s hard to believe the town will have much luck.
Town staff scheduled a meeting this afternoon where a whole lot of municipal and provincial officials will address what's ominously being referred to as the town's "coyote situation."
Sounds urgent - 'We have a situation, here, people!"
The “situation,” of course, is Fort Erie has coyotes. Big shock. A rural community in Canada. And there are coyotes. Stop the presses!
Coyotes have been making headlines this spring, partly because of a high-profile case in Toronto where one has been spotted in Toronto’s ritzy lakefront Beaches neighbourhood. It killed a couple of dogs and now experts are trying to round it up and relocate it.
Last week, there were reports in Fort Erie a coyote had killed a couple dogs. A Review news story last week though said there weren’t any more or any less livestock kills in Fort Erie or Niagara Falls this year than last.
The guest list for today’s coyote meeting includes pencil-pushers from Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Grimsby and Pelham - other communities with "situations."
Also invited – the Niagara Regional Police, the town’s bylaw enforcement officer, two hunters, a representative from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, town councillor Rick Shular, and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
That's at least eight officials who will convene at the coyote summit. An awful lot of public resources to address the "coyote situation" - something that occurs naturally.
What can police do, for example? Is a crackdown on coyotes where our precioius police resources should be spent? The cop who draws the short straw will probably drive past 20 marijuana grow-ops to get to the coyote summit.
And cops versus coyotes? Advantage, coyotes. Coyotes are among North America’s best survivors because they actually catch what they’re after.
Coyotes’ range is actually increasing despite persecution by people, according to the Canadian Wildlife Service.
It's no G20 meeting, but there are four items on the agenda for Fort Erie's coyote summit.
1. Information sharing: "OK, anybody here seen a coyote? Brownish-grey... yay high... kinda looks like a German shepherd. May have ACME rocket pack strapped to his back…"
2. Identify the problem: "Damned coyotes killed a couple dogs and some sheep. They may strike again."
3. Identify solutions: Increase anvil budget. If Saturday morning cartoons have taught us anything, it’s the coyote population is best controlled by dropping anvils on their heads. If it were Niagara Falls, Mayor Ted Salci would call anvils an "infrastructure investment" and demand provincial and federal government to kick in two-thirds of the cost.
4. Public education: "If you live in the country, you may see wildlife. Don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.”
Meeting adjourned.
Without trivializing the dogs that were killed, more dogs are probably hit by cars each year than killed by coyotes. But you don’t see a town hall in a tizzy about the “automobile situation.”
Niagara Falls went through this same hand-wringing last year after Coun. Shirley Fisher reported brazen coyotes were showing up in Chippawa.
This very column criticized Fisher, then, for trying to mobilize city hall to tackle the coyotes.
Last week, she told Review colleague Tony Ricciuto that the writer of this particular column didn’t take the coyote issue seriously and she hoped a coyote would bite this writer “where it hurts.”
She continues to miss the point. It’s not that coyotes aren’t a serious issue. It’s that they’re not her issue.
Instead of hopping up on a soap box for the benefit of her voters in Chippawa, a quick phone call to the Ministry of Natural Resources is the proper, simpler, more effective course of action.
Niagara Falls clerk Dean Iorfida opted out of today’s coyote summit because he figures they’re “clearly outside of our realm of expertise.”
Indeed, the expertise of municipal councillors and bureaucrats is limited. On the long list of things people need their municipal government to do, fighting the uphill battle against coyotes doesn’t even register.
You'll notice, coyotes themselves are under-represented at today’s coyote summit.
The good folks of Fort Erie had better hope the coyotes aren’t huddled together in a den somewhere between Garrison Road and Bowen Road, plotting about what to do about the “town hall situation.”
clarocque@nfreview.com
Article ID# 1514407
Why do we have a coyote problem? It couldn't be the fact that their habitat is being decimated for new development-could it? Kill all the coyotes and then you will have a deer problem, because you now upset the food chain.
Them 2 hunters don't sound like "officials" to me.
I think the massive influx of cave men led to the demise of the dinosaurs.
I hear Doug Martin has called in the Army! and has also notified the Minister of Defence to deploy NATO Forces as back up. Mean while The EDTC command by Theif- Bird has Contacted the Americans and made an offer to buy their MX missiles for $35 Billion US for a Non profit corporation created to study methods of rasing money to study the coyote problem(consult the history of the MX) The Mayor has decided that Town Hall needs to hire 125 new staff(only family and friends need apply) to address the coyote problem, the new staff recommend a consultant is hired to study the problem and report back to staff so they can report to council. Council will do as they are told by the staff that Council need to hire so they can be told what to do.
Then Council and Town Haul raises our taxes to pay for all this need.
V
Is there a way to insure that the people who worked the polling stations last election are not back for the next one? I found it very offensive to be told as i walked in, to vote for Dug. Its my guess they did a lot more then that. Maybe they could be rotated one town over randamly to prevent future problems. Seems most people I have talked with didnt vote for Martin either.
Ya must be talkin' to the wrong people cuz he won.
I have to respond to the comment from a blogger that the people working the polling stations at the last election should not be allowed to work them this time due to the fact that they were saying vote for Doug. Well, I was a scrutineer at one of those stations, and was working for the other guy, but, I heard noone that was working the election say anything of the sort, and if I had I would have said something to stop it. I am not afraid of the OBC and I take my responsibilities seriously. Admittedly I was sat at at table on the far wall inside of the hall, so I was not able to hear what was going on outside, where possibly supporters of his were, so I cannot answer to that. Perhaps someone else can.
The reason Martin got in was simply because it was percieved that he did a good job with budgeting on the Region board,his friends in the obc, and experience and age worked in his factor. Unfortunately my guy was young and had only been a councillor for one term, and the other guy had never been one in this town. Perception is reality folks. Maybe now people are regretting their decision to vote for Doug for the reasons they did and will now pay closer attention to the platforms of the next group to step up to the plate.
It is illegal for scrutneers to campaign(this was rampant with Martins campaign). Voters must file a complaint with the returining officer. If the voter feels the returning officer is "Compramized" they can file a complaint with elections ontario( which by then would be too late).
Another thing voters can do is inform the candidate they support and inform the media.
Planning is underway to ensure the next election is a democratic one. Polling station will have individuals with proffesional cridentials that will watch the polling sations and ACT legally if questionable activity is detected.
Almost all the candidates including some of the ones that won received complants regarding the voting proccess and how it was handled( the George Bush Syndrome). The Town Clerk is responsible locally for the municipal elections and will be held accountable in the next one.
To the poster who wants everyone to know about Jeff Gordon (NASCAR Star,) here is the article from the NF Review: "http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1514907"
I hope that it is true that the NOT-NASCAR track is coming, even though the promoters had to buy a NASCAR Star to give the impression that it would be a NASCAR track. That's why I don't trust the whole story. It has been rife with lies and distortions from the start. And I still think Jim Thibert has been very careless with the truth in all his grandstanding. Jeff Gordon would have about as much to do with this as Tim Horton had to do with running coffee shops. It's the name recognition that Jeff Gordon is bringing to the table. I still hear from other sources that the Kuwaiti group behind this has already pulled out. The other "secret track proposal" is a fantasy, IMHO.
The number one driver in North American racing would not allow his name to be used or be part of this proposal if it didn't have a mighty engine behind it. Jeff Gordon, the #1 driver in NASCAR and his public relations/management team do not associate themselves with pipe-dreams.
To the polling station topic, I was also a scrutneer who witnessed this bahaviour taking place and did report it to my candidate, who in turn took it to the clerk without resolve. We were also keep out of the tallie room illegally and left to wonder what they needed to hide in there. As members of this community you should all be very concerned.
But did he really win?
It seems to me that if Bay Beach development goes through, Speedway goes through, Racetrack and slots are successful in keeping it's doors open for years to come, not to mention our wonderful trails, great little shops and restaurants like Coffee Culture and the coming development of coal docks, our little Town will be well positioned to be a global player as a tourist destination. Add a few major events and Festivals and we can rival any major destination in Canada! Thank you to the majority of Council (we know who you are) and the Mayor for there vision. As long as we can move forward from the negative NIMBY rethoric we can put the days of status quo and mediocrity behind us. How is that for what the Mayor and council have done.
Very Good question.
He certainly lied about Go Service.
Residents of Fort Erie and the Niagara Peninsula ...... don't take the coyote concerns lightly.
Three years ago, I was attacked by a coyote 6 feet from my back door. Four puncture wounds to my left hand from a bite resulting in anantibodies needle ( which hurt like hell) and a series of 6 rabies shot which were not hard to take at all.
I was lucky, one bite. You or your children could fare less fortunate.
Um. Yah he won. I saw him with the chain of office on. Hope I answered your question.
There is a bus rally going to Queen's Park to protest the NHS decision on April 29th. If you want to reserve a seat- I think that you have to phone the town.
To Anonymous
"It seems to me that if Bay Beach development goes through...our little Town will be well positioned to be a global player as a tourist destination."
With a ringing endorsement like that I would assume you have seen what is planned at Bay Beach ? Could you provide the rest of us with the details ?
Thank You,
John McCarthy
C'mon John, you usually show more intelligence than to quote part of a sentence and purport that that contains the entire meaning of the whole.
All of council ( and I have been watching and reading) want the racetrack to succeed, Bay Beach Developed, Hospital saved, marina project to be successful, and car racing to come to Fort Erie. These initiates had a long life prior to this council coming on board, the last 3 councils have been involved in all these initiatives. These initiatives do take years and years to get off the ground. Some on council just want it to be clear and transparent and that all options be investigated. For Example, paying 35 million for a racetrack that has been loosing money and assessed at a much reduced value than what is being offered needs to be scrutinized carefully. Bay Beach becoming a housing development "Lord help us all". Who on council has objected to the car race track and the marina. It is happening in Noyes's Ward, she has attended all meetings and she has ensured that the local community concerns be addressed. If it wasn't for her I doubt whether those living around the marina would have a clue as to what was going on.She pushed hard for the local public to have input.And thnigs appear to be moving ahead quite nicely.
I an anticpating she will do the same for the car track, insisting that the local public be informed and that their concerns be given a forum.
C'mon John, you usually show more intelligence than to quote part of a sentence and purport that that contains the entire meaning of the whole.
Honestly.
I'm not purporting anything! I am asking what the details are ? I have not seen the proposal but I have heard it's rather impressive. At the risk of sounding like a "wise guy" I'm assuming you have seen the plan and that's why you have used it in the list you provided.
Thanks,
John
Nice pitch for Martin and the OBC BUT!......this is a time of keeping cost down, maintainin the basics-like supporting small PRACTICAL Business that are not dependend of the WIMS and SCAMS of foriegn investors and CUTTING COSTS.
None of this has happened.
You can thank Martin and Council all you want for the;
30 % tax hike
25 % water hike
reduction of services
increase in staff
LARGE WAGE increases for Staff - check out how much T-Bird and senior staff have had in wage increases.the 3 years (Martins term)
NO GO Bus
NO regional transit
Flooding of subdivisions
The closing down of youth programs (in case no one noticed)
NO help from the Feds
and it goes on and on.
(please feel free to add to this list)
It is your choice to be a follower of Maritn and Council but reality and the truth is another story, you blogger are in the minority. 2010 is fast approaching.
How will the destruction of Bay Beach makes us a WORLD PLAYER in Tourism???
Exactly how much of an increase did Town staff recieve over the 3 years? Is there a way to find out and post for all to see? For the record my wage increase has gone up0% and my work load has tripelded and my benifits have been cut, so I would REALLY Like to know what increases Mayor Doug Martin has given his wife and the others at Town Hall.
Please back up your statement with facts. Just because you post your mis-informed opinion, doesn't make it so.
"30 % tax hike
25 % water hike
reduction of services
increase in staff
LARGE WAGE increases for Staff - check out how much T-Bird and senior staff have had in wage increases.the 3 years (Martins term)
NO GO Bus
NO regional transit
Flooding of subdivisions
The closing down of youth programs (in case no one noticed)
NO help from the Feds
and it goes on and on."
I can point out at least 4 out right lies, and the rest are outside of Municipal scope as either Regional, Provincial, or Federal issues. I will anticipate your FACTS on each issue you have raised.
The Question was "Name three things Doug Martin has done of signifigant Benifit to Fort Erie when he was Regional Councillor and three things now as Mayor?"
Doug Martin has:
NOT saved the racetrack
NOT saved the hospital
NOT obtain GO transit
NOT obtained regional transit
NOT improved Bay Beach
NOT improved Cconomic Development
NOT stopped the flooding in Cresent Park
NOT cut costs or taxes
NOT Improved the small crappy services and programs for our youth
NOT fixed the Kawanis pool
NOT dealt with staff wages because his wife works their and he is conveintly in conflict of intrest- the rest of the world call this a lame duck Mayor
Ooops! break is over, I can add more to the list but you get the point?
All those things you listed HAVE NOT HAPPENED so please answer the bloggers question without the petty diversion tactics.
Who is destroying Bay Beach? Or do you mean not keeping it status quo and exactly how YOU would want it? It may surprise you there are people out their that want development. Again, just another misinformed opinion. There's alot of 'em on this Blog. But I respect your views none the less.
Why don't YOU show us all where these "lies & misinformation are"?
Since you are so well informed, I invite you to present your evidence in defence of Doug Martin and his Gang.
The people of Fort Erie await your response with enthuiasim and trepidation.
I think the one poster meant Kinsmen Pool - not Kiwanis. I hope the town does look at building a new aquatic facility - it is our only public pool. Not necessarily have to go in the same spot, something that would service the whole town. That fundraising committee has been tremendous from what I read in the paper - putting up 10 thousand bucks in a little over a year towards the town studying a new facility. All from a couple book sales and a 5k race. Seem some of their presentations to council - if only all groups who wanted something done were that proactive instead of just complaining. Who ever is in charge of that group - way to go!
"Thank you to the majority of Council (we know who you are)"
"All of council ( and I have been watching and reading)"
I suppose you are defending Noise because you really have been watching and reading. Glad you have witnessed her antics first hand. Makes more sense of the first post and now I know which Councillor it is speaking too. Thank you.
Explain to this person why more housing developement when we cant afford to live in the homes we now have. Maybe make a little more sense to encourage new business. As for the track that brings to mind why beat a dead horse.
Ok, so we are all upset with what has gone on and what hasn't gone on with present council. What are we going to do about it? Sitting and blogging can only go so far. What we need to do is to resurrect the Tax Payers group again. Election time is coming- if you have a large enough voice- you will be heard. Find someone to represent each ward that will support the agenda and endorse them.
We seem to forget that most municipal elections are just popularity contests. If you are planning on running in 2010-get your face and name out now so that people become familiar with you. It really doesn't matter to me where you came from or how long your family has been here- just prove that you are genuinely concerened with the issues at hand and not using the position as a stepping stone to further your own political agenda.
Why do you endorse such lunacy? It was tried before at the last Municipal election. Each ward had a candidate endorsed by the f. e. rate payors. Each one failed miserably with exception of Steckley. So now you want to go down that path again? Get some legitimate independant, forward thinkers, that will serve the people and not push some negative agenda.
John:
You an see all the details by Googling "Professional Motorsport Circuit".. I read the article and saw pictures of the Jeff Gordon signature track. Also found articles on how big motorsports are in Bahrain and other parts of the Mid-East. Also check out on googlr the massive developments in Dubai where they tur the desert into magnificant resorts. These guys do not mess around. $10 BILLION is simply a drop in their oil bucket.
Is that the same Dubai that is collapsing? The place from which people are fleeing in droves. leaving their expensive cars in the lots, to avoid debtor's prison? The place that was built on credit and sand that is literally crumbling into the sand?
You must have the wrong Dubai or you don't know how to google. They continue to build some of the most magnificent projects in the world. They don't build them out of sand, they build them out of oil. You know, that stuff that Alberta won't share with the rest of Canada.
Stop misinforming your readers and accept the truth.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/middleeast/12dubai.html
From New York Times article:
With Dubai’s economy in free fall, newspapers have reported that more than 3,000 cars sit abandoned in the parking lot at the Dubai Airport, left by fleeing, debt-ridden foreigners (who could in fact be imprisoned if they failed to pay their bills). Some are said to have maxed-out credit cards inside and notes of apology taped to the windshield.
Later: No one knows how bad things have become, though it is clear that tens of thousands have left, real estate prices have crashed and scores of Dubai’s major construction projects have been suspended or canceled. But with the government unwilling to provide data, rumors are bound to flourish, damaging confidence and further undermining the economy.
Oh, here's a story about the ruler of Dubai:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUKTRE5384IP20090409
Dubai's ruler and the chairman of conglomerate Dubai World have been suspended from horse racing after their horses tested positive for banned substances, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) said on Thursday.
The office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, also Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, said in a statement published by local newspapers that traces of banned substances had been found in two of his horses which took part in endurance racing.
I will be following up on this in The Strand shortly, but the Molinaro Group will present its project plan for the Bay Beach Properties next Tuesday at Council. For most, it is already too late to register to speak at council, but this can be challenged as the agenda did not become available until late this afternoon, thus the people are being denied the opportunity to speak on the issue. There should be a large crowd at council on Tuesday, April 14 to let the Molinaro Group know that their plans to eventually include an at least 10 story apartment building on the beach side of Erie Road will effectively close off access and use of the sand beach by visitors. The parking lots will also be developed with "shops," AKA strip mall.
The Molinaro Group has already admitted that the plans include 100-120 dwelling units. How else can 100-120 units fit on that property except in a high rise? As I already warned: the zoning would have to be changed to accommodate a building higher than three stories. Since the mayor and four members of council always vote in favour of developers, it's a done deal. We've unofficially been "DAHLOUSIED." Except there's the OMB. I will personally pay the $125. to file a challenge with the OMB, if needed. But, where is the FOCB?
I guess all we have to do is see who supports this development and we'll know which of these politicains will get campaign donations by this developer for the 2010 elections.
Right, Martha, Doug?
I just googled Friends of Crystal Beach and the first page was dedicated to Bay Beach. I don't know too much about the group or what their mandate is, but this seems a good start.
The problem with most volunteer groups is that even though they may be large in numbers, there is a small % of volunteers that actually do the work. Instead of asking where is FOCB- maybe contact them and joing them in their fight. I am pretty sure that they would be grateful for new volunteers and support.
I am a member of the Friends of Crystal Beach and I'm still waiting for someone from FOCB to come forward to make a public announcement. The president, Paul Lewis is in Florida, but there are other members of the board that can take a leadership role to continue the fight started last year by the FOCB
Look carefully at the FOCB site. Nothing has changed for a long time.
Can you see anything about what is happening now? Any current discourse about Bay Beach?
Can you see anything about any summer concerts or events?
I believe the dates are all from last year.
Sad that this group, so vital at the beginning seems to have drifted somewhere else in their interests.
The FOCB which began a few years back was fighting to do such good things for the Beach. And did fire up the people to work towards saving Bay Beach. And did present some wonderful Waterfront Concerts...
So what has happened?
Would have thought FOCB would be at Council over Bay Beach issue. Would have thought FOCB would have addressed this to the village.
Martha Martha Martha...tsk tsk tsk
I would Like to know MARTHA, how many residents and WHO did you speak to before YOU decide to so adenently support the building of The "Martin" Towers on the last public lands. May it be your dirty little property deal?(in case you forgot you are a public figure)
Why are you not activley asking the provice for $2 million for the the beach?
Martha, we will find out WHY you so strongly support this collossal mistake and distaster to our public beach.
See you Tuesday and get ready for one hell of a FIGHT!
FOCB is a group of socialities that are buddies with the Mayor andc could care less about our beach.
Excellrnt article in the Toronto Sun about the hospital.
I wouldn't say that the FOCB are a "bunch of socialites" at all. Today, they organized an excellent Easter Egg Hunt at the Crystal Beach Public School. Will be posting pictures later. I think that the FOCB is suffering from some growing pains and perhaps needs some new leadership. The members I have met are a great bunch of community-minded people. I am, however, distressed by the silence of the FOCB regarding the Molinaro Group's plans. Anyone see the Letters to the Editor in today's FE Times? Good letters from Brigitte Bonner and Ann Marie Noyes. Will scan and post on The Strand. (Wish the Crystal Beach councillor was listening to the majority of people in her ward about this issue.)
Is there a possiblity of holding a community meeting prior to the town hall meeting so that everyone is on the same page?
There must be someone available on the board from FOCB to issue a statement in response to the Bay Beach Propsal.
I am not too familiar with the Bay Beach area, but what you can do is check maps to see if there are areas that are labelled PSW's or have a species at risk in that area. Those would be two factors that would inhibit development.
Good idea about the meeting. A lot of Americans are up this weekend for Easter and they are definitely interested as a very inaccurate story was posted in the Buffalo News a couple days ago. I got to the Easter Egg Hunt late and didn't see any of the board members of FOCB or I would have asked them. I'm working on it and hope to pull something together with their help before Tuesday. Please tell everyone you know to be there. At the very least, we can show our silent disdain for this latest blow to our community. Also, I have pictures of the mess at the Ridgeway Shores Golf Club that is in non conformity to the current by-laws and zoning. It's another insult on top of the loss of the golf course to development.
Yes, I've heard that there is a rare and endangered frog species living on the Bay Beach Properties. I also think the Lobster House might be considered a heritage building (ugly as it is.) It could be fixed and used by the community. But the community's wishes and suggestions for fund raising and fix-up of the Bay Beach Properties is falling on deaf ears. OMB here we come!
If Martha Lockwood was a real councillor she would hacv held a public meeting long ago to let the residents beaware of this massive WRONG project for the beach.
She would have been fighting for funds for Bay Beach as she supported for the race track.
She would have been informing the people all along instead of secret little( bribery deals) with the developer.
But Martha Lockwood is a terrible councillor. Tom Lewis was young but he fought for his community and supportted it to the end.
Anti-Lockwood campaign worker
Friends of Crystal Beach website has been updated. Please tell everyone you know to go to the Tuesday meeting. A closer look at the Molinaro Group's work in Burlington reveals that it specializes in high rises on Lake Ontario. Please Copy & Paste this article and read what could happen in Bay Beach: http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/marianne_meedward/2009/03/29/8923511-sun.html.
What we think they're really doing is a classic "bait & switch." Show people one set of plans, and when they get approval, then bring out their real plans. SInce the town planner, mayor and certain councillors have already been co-opted to embrace whatever the Molinaro Group does, unless the people are right on this issue, and willing to go to the OMB if necessary, they'll get their way.
I suggest that one of our :sleuths" look into the title of the property that Martha Lockwood bought next to her house and quickly flipped - to a developer. Also, look into Rino Mostacci's dealings with the Molinaro Group. It may be a bit more difficult as Mostacci still lives in Grimsby - and the taxpayers are paying for his gas and expenses to commute from Grimsby to Fort Erie every day. Same with Harry Slange, our overpriced CAO.
You seem to have inside info on everything so why don't you be the "sleuth" or are you afraid of the repercussions?
I'm not afraid of repercussions for anything I write, but I simply don't have the time to follow up on every thread of the massive fabric of deceit that makes up our town government. There are some very smart people out there who have been looking into various aspects of the town's dealings. I was giving them a heads up and also encouraging any others who are curious. I have been meaning to publish the Sunshine List for 2008 and still haven't had a chance. So much happening; so little time.
If they are so smart why do they need you to tell them what to do?
They don't. But you'd better start looking for another tit to suck off of, because your mayor is a lame duck. No way is he going to get re-elected in 2010 if he chooses to run. Same with Witless, Lockwood, Annunziata (who will not run because mommie dearest has her eyes set on provincial parliament for her two boys) and Shular. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp. The Old Boys Club is breaking camp.
Apologies to all future Fort erieans, that our mistakes in electing leaders has cost you so much, please forgive us!!
The best thing for Fort Erie is the influx of new people. All the new development may have a silver lining as the houses are being bought by people from other areas and these people are more curious and ask questions about how things are done in Fort Erie. Many of those people have become very involved in thei new community and are not impressed by those in local government - especially the non-elected ones who seem to be running the town - into the ground. They will be the ones to determine who are next mayor and council will be, because long-time residents (who are dying off or moving away,) are losing their clout and the new people don't give a rat's ass who went to school with whom and who screwed whom behind the middle school. (tm Tracy Jordan.)
To slightly change the subject-did anyone see the ad in the Saturday put in from the EDTC/Race Track?
Take a look at it-it's asking for our input regarding marketing, activities... etc
Here's the website: friendsofforteriethoroughbredracing.org
It's directly under the EDTC website. Notice the Board of Directors. Two from the Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association and the rest? All in the pocket of Jim Thibert, who is also on the board. It mirrors Town Council. Four on one side and two on the other side. Of course the HBPA members may well agree with the prevailing opinions and decisions, but God help them if they don't.
I like the way they're asking for public imput on this. That's to satisfy their not-for-profit status and give the impression that they're doing this for the betterment of the community. Like we really believe that some certain insiders won't make a bundle on this - and it won't be the HBPA. They're in this to save their livelihood.
Spend $2,275,000.00 of public , tax payers money on GAMBELING!!! And yet when it comes to bay beach- NOT A DAM THING! sell it off to a HIGHRISE DEVELOPER(ask Burlignton)
Why Not make Bay Beach a NON-PROFIT AND LET THE COMMUNITY RUN IT?!!!!
Editor!!!!!
Be advised that the Trolls at Town Haul are NOT LETTING ANYONE SPEAK TONIGHT!!! They claim the Molinaro group is "only making a presentation" and there will be NO Delegations allowed.
This is incorrect!! any citizen can speak on any matter- THEY ARE TELLING A LIE!
This is a serious imprisinment of the "demcracyic proccess" and the constitutional right of freedom of expression and speeech!!!
Martin has NO CONTROL of the Corporation of Fort ERIE, he is a Disfunctional Mayor!
Please atend tonight and DEMAND you RIGHT TO SPEAK!!!!
Lockwood- YOUR FIRED!!!!
The Crystal Beach Defenders
On account of being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does.
Will Rogers
US humorist & showman (1879 - 1935)
-----------------------------------
Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.
George Bernard Shaw,
Man and Superman (1903) "Maxims for Revolutionists"
Irish dramatist & socialist (1856 - 1950)
Come on out. Listen to the presentation. Listen to the council. Listen to the C.R.A.P.P.P.
Can Crystal Beach's firefighting equipment service a 5 storey building, or is hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars going to have to be spent to buy suitable equipment for this development?
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
You mean 12 story building
I think that they know they won't get a twelve story building. The current zoning is three stories. I think they'll end up with five and everyone will think they scored a major victory. Not me. The more I see of this, the more it looks like an exclusionary grouping of buildings and high rises. No parking for beach goers. All designed to discourage day trippers. The main reason people come to our beach now is that it's cheap and lovely and easily accessible to anyone.
The more I see of this I see a beautiful developed area with shops, restaurants, amusements, etc. Just the thing to attract people who will spend money rather than just lay in the sun then go home.
You have had this explained to you before. YOU CAN NOT HAVE AN ELECTION NOW! Try to remember. I don't want to have to tell you again. If you forget again I will send you to your room without your colouring books.
I didn't have too much time to read this article, but you may want to check this out before you post this thread.
Maple Avenue residents take condo fight to OMB hearing
http://www.burlingtonpost.com/news/article/243925
"The more I see of this I see a beautiful developed area with shops, restaurants, amusements, etc. Just the thing to attract people who will spend money rather than just lay in the sun then go home."
--------
My friend, I respectfully offer a different view.
The reason folks go to the beach is in fact to sit in the sun and enjoy the water. The trick is to entice the THOUSANDS of beach goers to spend money by making it convenient for them to purchase desirable products along with “sittin’ & enjoyin’”. It’s called it marketing.
In it’s infancy the CBIA is aware of that and I sense that as time passes, you’ll see a better effort put forth in that regard. I have a great deal of confidence in our local business leaders and believe we’ll all benefit from the efforts they have in the works.
To assume at this point, with the limited amount of information that was offered at last nights Council meeting, that this proposed project is going to be our economic panacea is a “leap of faith” that I personally am not prepared to take.
To a man, even the representatives of the Molinaro Group were honest enough not to offer any real economic predictions without a marketing study. Sure they were upbeat and offered a positive demeanor, but anything more than that would be foolish on their part. Even the issue of land ownership has NOT been addressed.
As for me, I’m still trying to see how the residents of up to 120 high end, private, condo units are going to coexist along with THOUSANDS of daily, seasonal, beach goers and where the hell are we going to park all those flippin’ cars?
As they say… “the devil is in the details”.
Regards,
John
Fort Erie minus Crystal Beach equals No Martha. Think outside the box people.
Thanks for the link to the Burlington article. I will be printing it in total in The Strand.
I attended last nights meeting and I was very impressed with the beach proposal. How could any business (or residents) in the immediate area oppose this plan. The editor has her facts wrong as she said that the parking is going to be used by the residents of the proposed condo's, was she not listening when it was said by the presenters (more than once) that there was going to be private underground parking for the residents?? If this proposal progresses (I hope it does) I will then spend some of my hard earned money in the beach, as it stands now I don't spend a dime there. Just a question, are the residents there opposing this development because they are worried their taxes will go up?. Or is it just because the town is involved in the project, some of the comments I heard last night in the crowd seem to let me believe that the latter is correct. If I lived there I would welcome it to be able to see the area thrive again. Let the process evolve with the focus groups and community involvement before you close you mind to new and better ideas!
The beach proposal was impressive, no doubt about it. The proposed underground parking is not feasible. The water table in the area is extremely high and most of the cottages in the first block off Erie Road do not have basements. The summer homes along Erie Road that do have basements are built on higher ground. The south side of Erie Road would have to be built up to even accommodate the pilings for the high rises. Plus there is the density factor. The drawings are misleading and the perspective is off as there is no way all those buildings will fit without sacrificing green space. The median in the centre of Erie Road will prove to more of a nuisance that an attractive addition. The parking will be used by residents and visitors to the shops exclusively, mark my words. That would mean that families visiting the beach would have to park over at the old CB Parking lot on Erie Road and then they'll go through the Ashwood entrance to the beach and avoid the beach in front of the condo units altogether as they won't be welcome there. It will become like the CBTYC, gated at some point, so that the entrance to the beach from the condo area will be restricted.
Then, the businesses on Erie Road and elsewhere will be affected because the idea of this project is to keep people in the condo area and not to encourage them to wander the neighbourhood. I see another exclusive and restrictive community-within-a-community rising from the former Bay Beach Properties. It does not fit in the area; it will destroy the view and the casual atmosphere in Crystal Beach and it will be an elegant eyesore in a very small space where a public park/beach should be. Perhaps you would like living in Burlington or some other community that has allowed the view of its waterfront to be obscured by high rises, but I do not. Suggestions for Crystal Beach's future was laid out in the 1996 C.A.U.S.E. and high rises were never endorsed. What was endorsed was acquiring and keeping as much lakefront beach property in public hands and keeping green space around it. That prestigous study found that Crystal Beach, with its housing and streets was a "hidden gem" and should be nurtured to remain in its unique character - not overdeveloped. The restaurants and businesses in Crystal Beach are building clientele after many years of struggle. What the whole area needs is marketing and help to renew and spruce up the public beach area and the buildings and stores along Erie Road. Everyone I talk with who comes to the beach on a warm day in the summer, loves the ease at which they can access the beach and enjoy the day. We all know that new washrooms/change rooms are needed; the snack bar is in bad shape and there's wasted space (the curious mound) but, a five to twelve story twin condos out of a Lord of the Rings movie is simply the dream of the easily co-opted Grimsby-based planner who contacted his old friends, the Molinaros, to come to Bay Beach to develop the Bay Beach Properties.
"Let the process evolve with the focus groups and community involvement before you close you mind to new and better ideas!"
Well Said!
That is the key... open minds (across the board)
In answer to your question. As a resident just 4 doors down from the proposed project my most pressing concern is squandering an opportunity to actually improve our village and keeping a community treasure in the public ownership.
Let's ALL bring our "A" game to the table.
Respectfully,
John
John:
"The trick is to entice the THOUSANDA of beach goers to spend money by making it convenient for them to purchase desirable products.....".
Isn't this EXACTLY what the commercial aspects of the proposed project will do?
You are right Editor when you said " The restaurants and businesses in Crystal Beach are building clientele after many years of struggle."
And after all of their efforts, what are they going to get. Probably a 2 year construction zone that will deter visitors from their businesses and deter visitors to the beach itself.
The entire construction phase of this project will totally disrupt Crystal Beach as it is now known. Businesses will fail and the "NEW" commercial enterprizes as noted in the proposal will take their place, and I am sure that they will not be owned by residents of the area.
Think about trying to go for a relaxing day at the beach with all that construction going on.
Think about trying to go to the brach after the project is finished. I agree with what has already been stated. The long time residents will not be welcome on the beach by the occupants of the condo's.
The way I see it, the ONLY resident that is going to benifit from this project is Martha Lockwood and if she is receiving any ...... any kind of benifit from this, even the purchase/resale of the propert mentioned before, she should be investigated and brought to justice.
Thank you Editor for your opinion on what could happen if the project is completed. I would like to know a few things. 1) how do you know that the underground parking is not feasible, in my mind the points you raised mean that it would just be more expensive to get the underground parking done. Anything can be done if you throw enough money at it. 2)I think the presenters pointed out at the meeting last night that those drawings were not set in stone and modifications would and could be done. 3) Median would be a nuisance..well I think that is exactly what they are ment to do (slow you down) get you to look. Instead of looking at it as a nuisance you could look at it as a safety item. 4) The parking spaces (90 of them I think) would not be used by the residents since they would have underground parking and I would think that is exactly what the business in the area would want. Why would they want them to be used by the beach crowd who would tie them up all day when customers who will spend money in their store could be using them.5)I dont see a problem with making the beach crowd parking just a little ways down the road. Who wants the same cars parked in the spaces all day?? plus that means they would have to walk by all the stores to get to their cars and back to them...maybe they would actually spend some money too.6)Going in with the attitiude that the people who purchase the condo's are going to be snobs is not the way to start a relationship. They have made a decision to invest their money and lives to live there and since it is not a gated community and since there is a public beach and access they are going in there knowing that (unless you are saying that the beach crowd is a loud and rude crowd).7) I think the "casual atmospere" is one of the problems of the beach, I would want people to do more than just go to the beach. I would want people to shop, eat and want to come to the beach for more than just that. 8)It is my opinion that if you build the development (not a gated one) which would improve the area, the business and buildings around the development will in time improve too. The building values will rise and the type of businesses will improve. No longer will you have fly by night businesses opening and then closing in a few months. The ninth and final comment I want to respond to is the quote where you said that the poeple like coming to the beach because of the "ease at which they can access the beach" in my mind all that is saying is that it is cheap to go too!!. I would rather have it affordable to go to and have more than just the beach to go to.
Excitedly planning a business for the commercial areas - my vacation property is close to the beach so no doubt the value will be going up!! Finally a plan is in play for CB!
Where's Waldo? ummmm Martha?????
Are there any Martha sightings in the town of fort erie?
Cant remember the last time I saw her anywhere in the town (other than at council....)
The challenge is up now... Where have you seen Martha?
Is it "Martha has left the building" or Martha is too busy helping with the new buildings at Bay Beach?
So, Where's Martha?
As far as I know, Martha did not attend the Easter Egg Hunt in Crystal Beach right near her house at the Crystal Beach Public School. Word is that she's planning to run for mayor. Maybe she was being wined and dined by the Molinaro Group since she's such a fan of theirs.
"Isn't this EXACTLY what the commercial aspects of the proposed project will do?"
Good Morning!
Indeed, but I would hope not at the expense of existing business's. That, I believe, is where the CBIA can exercise it's expertise and make it an "addition to" as opposed to a separate entity. Sure, it's a subtle difference but it is important. And if I may...? The addition of some more retail/food/rental establishments can also be achieved by retaining ALL the property in the public ownership. We don't "need" to sell for that to happen.
Thanks for the response!
John
I am certain that the Molinaro group is not going to own/manage the commercial outlets. They will probably rent stores as the malls do. This is an excellent opportunity for local entrepaneurs to start their own business or for existing businesses to move to a new location.
A new location in a pricey building. I can just imagine all the people that will open new businesses in the condo towers. Not. Just look at the strip malls along Garrison Road and you still see vacancies and there's another one being built on the site of Ryan's. If those places are struggling - right on the main drag in town, how can anyone expect a store to survive at a beach? In winter? ho can afford to go into business in this town? The rents, taxes, overhead, etc. is prohibitive in this economic climate. Very few businesses survive the first year and a business in a seasonal resort area has to be very tenacious to survive. The Crystal Beach Business Improvement Area is brand new and it has its work cut out for it to bring events and interest so that CB will have year 'round visitation. The FOCB has sponsored events like the End of Summer Parade, Sunday Concerts at Waterfront Park and the 5K Race. This is the best way to build up the area - from the grassroots level. Not by an outside developer coming in and taking over public property to built upscale condos and shops. We learned this terrible lesson with the Crystal Beach Tennis and Yacht Club that has effectively cut the community apart. Many people already come to Crystal Beach in the summer. It is up to the existing businesses and community groups to think of ways to keep them coming back and spending money and time in the Beach. The FOCB now has kids wearing sandwich boards walking through the thousands of people enjoying the Beach to remind them of the free band concerts on Sunday evenings. Brilliant marketing. A nice seating area/ boardwalk with a proper listing of the stores and restaurants in the area, provided by the CBIA, along with a better marketing plan could help everyone in the town.
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