A hike in taxes is never good news, especially in a town that is suffering from record unemployment; house foreclosures; and poverty levels.
Those who blame The Four for the tax increases must not have been paying attention back in 2008.
So, I'll refresh their memory:
"The Town of Fort Erie's operating and capital budgets for 2008 have been rubber-stamped.
On Monday night, Fort Erie Town council and staff approved its
budget, which will result in local taxpayers seeing an 11.74 per cent
increase on their tax bill owed to the Town of Fort Erie. This will be a
monthly increase of $6.69 per month for the owner of a $138,000 home,
which is the average assessment in Greater Fort Erie.
To some people this is far too high of an increase, though Mayor Doug Martin said in last week's edition of The Times that the real increase is only 3.85 per cent on the average taxpayer's bill, since the Niagara Region and school board's tax rates will stay at zero for 2008.
Martin told The Times last week that in order to fix the problems that have angered several Fort Erie residents, money needs to be allocated towards making the situation better, whatever it may be. He used the condition of some of the roads in Fort Erie as an example.
"Everyone has said...we're not putting enough money into fixing our roads," said Martin.
"Well, it costs you so many dollars to have a status quo budget...if you want to do more you have to put money into it," said Martin.
Costa Koutroulakis, the proprietor of a small business on Jarvis Street, is not impressed with the approved tax increase for a few reasons. He was not the only person in attendance on Monday who stepped up to the podium and expressed their concern. There were seven other residents who thought the tax hike was too much.
"I am extremely disappointed and shocked that we are looking at an 11.74 per cent local tax increase this year," said Koutroulakis.
He is also upset about this being the second large tax hike in two years, totaling the increase to 21.54 per cent over the last 13 months. Last year's budget brought on a 9.8 per cent increase for local taxpayers.
On Nov. 19, 2007, Town council passed a recommendation initialized by Ward 2 Coun. Rick Shular, to limit the increase in taxes to four per cent.
"Today we are faced with an almost 12 per cent increase...how can this happen?" said Koutroulakis."
Meanwhile, Costa's brother, Peter Koutroulakis spends his off time on Facebook trashing The Four councillors who were duly-elected in 2010. Where was Peter back in 2008? Or, for that matter, 2009?
Times are tough - and for many Fort Erie residents, they're about to get tougher.
Council approved its 2009 consolidated operating budget
Wednesday, approving a 5.9 per cent increase in the amount of property
tax the town needs to collect. The impact on the homeowners' total tax
bill - which includes the region - is expected to be 3.8 per cent. Final approval could come March 9.
Fort Erie's financial operating plan currently stands at $16.4 million, which will cost the average homeowner about $85 more in 2009 compared to last year, or slightly more than $7 per month.
That's based on the average property. Town hall considers $145,000 to be the average assessed value of a home in Fort Erie.
"We're in a recession. These are tough economic times. People are unemployed, some are on welfare and many are losing their jobs," said Coun. Ann-Marie Noyes.
"I can't be in support of this kind of increase."
Noyes called for a cut in staffing levels and questioned the hiring of a co-ordinator to assist in the town's War of 1812 bicentennial celebrations, as well as the extension of a health and wellness co-ordinator contract position.
"Hard decisions have to be made and staffing is one of them - that's the biggest driver of our budget," Noyes said after the meeting.
"No one likes to see staffing cuts, but this should be a belt-tightening, back to basics budget.
"I have a hard time hiring anybody in this economic climate."
Mayor Doug Martin didn't agree.
"The easy thing to say is, 'Let's just cut staff.' But what do those people do?,"
Martin said to Noyes. "Where are you going to cut the staff and what will happen to those staffed services and programs?
"Give me an alternative. Give me specifics."
Martin said much of the tax increase is beyond council's control.
Town staff predicts a shortfall in bank interest income of $254,000, and a reduction in
building permit revenue of $72,000.
"The tax increase for municipal purposes is almost at zero," Martin told The Review. "But with the reassessment of Nordic (Gaming, the slots owner) and the shift from the commercial portion of that (property) to the residential, that's half a percentage point on taxes right there.
"Also, we as a council made a conscious decision during our strategic planning to reduce our reliance on gaming. We're also addressing the need to put more money in the ground ... that has been neglected for a number of years."
Council will continue reducing its dependence on gaming revenues to cover base services by $82,000 and shift $75,000 of economic development funding to the levy, resulting in a one per cent increase in the budget.
The town will spend $450,000 to address its infrastructure gap, increasing the levy by nearly three per cent. An infrastructure gap is the difference between the current condition of a municipality's roads, sewers and facilities, compared to where it should be.
Council sliced its commitment to fund the Economic Development and Tourism Corp.'s GTA marketing campaign.
The marketing campaign contribution would drop to $20,000 from $85,000 in 2008. They will contribute $250,000 from this year's gaming revenues to the EDTC as part of a non-refundable deposit for the purchase of the Fort Erie Race Track from owner Nordic Gaming.
The contribution is subject to the EDTC securing other financial resources.
Meanwhile, Sunday library hours will continue in 2009 at a $10,000 cost.
Council decided not to put $10,000 toward the Santa Claus parade. Instead, politicians hope service clubs and organizations can operate bingos and raise the necessary funds to ensure the popular event takes place this year.
A lack of money put the future of the parade in doubt last year. But a committee of volunteers came together to secure enough private sponsorships to cover the cost of the event, which turned out to be a success.
There was also a lengthy debate about a $22,000 request from the town's business improvement areas for watering floral planters. The request, which was approved by council, will be for labour and water costs to be divided equally amongst the Bridgeburg, Crystal Beach and Ridgeway BIAs, as well as the Stevensville Kinettes.
"I love to have flowers in every community, but I have problem allocating tax dollars to it, especially in the economic world we live in right now," said Coun. Bob Steckley.
"In talking with my constituents, they feel that if business people think this will improve their neighbourhood and bring business to their district, then they should be the ones ponying up."
But many of Steckley's colleagues didn't think the request unreasonable.
"This is a beautification program to support our local business districts, not just $22,000 to water plants," said Coun. Sandy Annunziata.
Any questions?
48 comments:
Rick Shular loses it at council meeting over the FOCB bingo license SNAFU:
“As chair I’m not supposed to speak, but I am going to. I sit here week after week and just can’t believe some of the things I hear. How this council has the audacity to think they can impartially rule on this, it’s beyond me. You have the authority that can look at this and make a decision that everyone can live with, but you don’t want to do that,” said a visibly frustrated Shular.
“The four people that put their names forward, if you don’t think you have a conflict, God help you. The audacity blows my mind, but anyways, I’ll call the question and it’s going to be defeated 4-3,” he concluded correctly.
This coming from the man who has long been a fixture on the bingo scene. Some of us remember a time when there were questions about certain bingos and the possible misappropriation of funds. That was over fifteen years ago when there was widespread misuse of the abundant bingo funds. Many were caught but they were merely given a mild tap on the hand and left to return to the back room at the bingo hall. Shular's outrage is wildly misplaced. He seems to be anxious to protect the Community Gaming and Development Corporation from scrutiny.
The truth is that the CGDC did not follow its own procedure when it pulled the plug on the Friends of Crystal Beach's bingo license. Of course, some of us see this selective meting out of punishment to the FOCB, while other groups possessing bingo licenses have been active politically, as another attempt to silence any person or group that is against the Molinaro Project.
Shular does not believe that the three councillors can be impartial. Maybe he should ask CGDC head Russ Wilson how he manages to remain impartial in this regard. He is the very good friend of former FOCB president Paul Lewis. It was Paul Lewis who led the FOCB into the fray against the Molinaro Project and Donna Lewis was the treasurer of the FOCB for several years. She did an excellent job of keeping the bingo money separate from the general funds of the FOCB.
But I guess Rick Shular has selective amnesia about what happened over fifteen years ago.
The four who put their names forward for the bingo review were Steve Pessaro, Paul Collard, John Hill and Don Lubberts. I would think Bob Steckley didn't submit his name because he respects the term "a conflict of interest". Bob has sold his popular waffles to FOCB for their refreshment tent at the Waterfront Concerts. Steve then withdrew his name, he said because of a legal consultation? Therefore their was no vote needed to pick the 3 Councillors to decide if the process was even carried out properly to revoke the license in the first place. There are Gaming Policy rules that need to be followed no matter who the group is.
Notice who is the Chair of Community Gaming Development Corporation. It is none other than George McDermott, one of the regular nasties on the blogs. Not very professional to say the least!
It's so easy to say things about people...where's your proof?
So, what about the taxes? That's the subject of this thread. As to the bingo situation, back in the day, there were many, many cover-ups of malfeasance because groups did not want the publicity. So, they chastised the offenders and swept the whole matter under the rug. There are some names that keep cropping up in this regard. One local was banned from working any bingos because of infractions in Port Colborne. That person is still involved in using bingo money, mainly because that person knows about a lot of others who stole and got away with it.
Here's an example of two who were caught.
Council is following the rules for appeals to lottery licences. I have been involved in appeals of lottery licence issues for several different groups in town over the years. 1st step is send in your groups $100 appeal fee to the CGDC, which is always rejected, the next step in the appeal process is to appear before a committee of duly elected councillors (3), plead your case & the councillors make a determination & rule to support your appeal or deny it. This council is following those rules that have been the normal course of business for years. So whats the beef? These buttheads that are screaming conflict are pissed that a group in town is against the condos. Last time I checked , taking a stand against something was allowed in our constitution. We don't live in a communist country yet do we? I say give the FOCB their lottery licence back with a pat on the back and a keep up the good work! And yes! I do believe RW should be shown the door. You don't get fired from customs twice for no reason.
Wasn't it RW who delivered the voting boxes to the poll stations during the 2010 election? He picked them from the retirement homes and they arrived at the Poll station opened.. Things that make you go Hummmm...
Love this! It is so true. My taxes have gone up exponentially over the years and you cannot blame it on the four. Our roads have been in disrepair for years, the kinsmen pool has been on the chopping block for years. Do I need say more? You can't get into this kind of mess since January. Where was all this opposition years ago? Once again a scapegoat to divert attention.
Well well, I see that Russ Wilson is getting dragged through the mud again by the scurilous individuals know as anonymous aka Richard (the lunatic) Berry and or Sharon (i cannot substantiate anything) Bowers. Well the need to get your facts straight continues to elude you so called champions of public opinion. I guess if I was to say that Berry has been charged by the town and the police for various infractions it would be considered by the editor that the writer is just going against the voice of the people when in fact anyone could substantiate those facts, or that the editor got sued and lost we know that is true. So editor or anonymus give us the facts on Wilson and tell us when and how he got fired twice by Customs. The fact of the matter is that you don't like the fact that he has the intestinal fortitude to do his job regardless of the fallout, a person who is not infected by selserving, egotistical interests but rather by the need to ensure that the community is well served and that rules are followed. sounds like mayorial material to me.
GW
So, then it is true that Russ Wilson was fired twice from Customs? Why don't you refute that? I must say that Russ Wilson (That's Mr. Wilson, if you don't mind) has a good group of apologists working on his behalf.
I still can't get it out of my mind when Russ Wilson denied having been at the Coal Docks on the day that I took his picture at the Coal Docks. There were four other witnesses who verified that it was Mr. Wilson. But he maintained that he wasn't there. (And I was threatened with a lawsuit about that.)
I do have an agenda. It is to see that the people who have the responsibility of running this town are honest, decent people whose first priority is the betterment of Fort Erie. I think I can say with some certainty that this has not been the case for several years.
Wow, I really cannot get over the outlandish accusations that are thrown at Wilson on a weekly basis. Now it is voting box tampering? I actually laughed out loud when I saw that comment. I thoroughly enjoy when people who have never met the man or have but do not know him one bit continually slander him. We are lucky to have someone like him working for us and who dedicates his time in numerous ways. I guess people like to forget about the years of community service, how many children that have been coached, the fact that we still have an emergency room and great doctors in our town and the huge developments during his terms on council. Sometimes the small minded people of this town really get to me, and for the record Wilson was never fired from customs and I know this for a fact. Oh facts, that is something that this blog and people in this town seem to let go by the wayside, so let's all say it together shall we, FACT...And the fact is I am a Wilson fan. I have seen some ridiculous accusations about both him and his family on this blog which I know to be untrue.
You know what makes me go Hummmmm?....the FACT that the editor of this blog has never once met Wilson, interesting how she seems to know so much and has formed such a strong opinion without ever meeting him.
When was the last time YOU did something for this community?
- LD
Mr. Wilson is in da house! (Inserting phony initials does not disguise you.) I guess we do live in an alternate universe because there have been, for years, persistent rumours and stories about Mr. Wilson. Yeah, he did a great job as councillor. Tried to put a strip club in Ridgeway. Why does the story of him getting fired from Customs keep coming up, year after year? A lot of people have relatives or friends who work at Customs. That is where the story comes from. Also, over the years, there have been several versions of the Pride Field story circulating.
Why do these stories persist? I do not know Mr. Wilson, but the mere mention of his name to long-time bingo workers draws a myriad of negative responses.
Remember the saying: if there's smoke, there's usually fire.
You are comical. So the only person allowed to stick up for Wilson is Wilson himself? In case you didn't know he actually does have people who support him in this town.
Wondering ?
did Mrs Wilson work at Mr Martins jewellery store for many, many years.
HUMmmmmmmmmmm.
Did Mrs. Martin work at town hall for many many years ?
HUMMMMMmmmmmmmm
Yet another ridiculous post poking fun at violence at John Hill's event where he is trying to be open with the public:
"Hmm, what to wear? Something impervious to explosives I suppose"
Not funny at all! I imagine this person has not watched the news lately as it is not in the least bit funny. Can you take a guess at what group this poster associates with? Great group!
That's Mr Wilson To you all
get it !
Raising taxes to repair roads and improve infrastructure is a sad but necessary reality. Explain again Sharon how raising taxes to restore a light house that has no benefit in either revenue generation or attraction even for the public makes sense? How does spending all the money on a legal review only to have the same results come back that the town lawyers told us. She gets paid, but lets pay out more money. How did that make sense. How does raising taxes to off set the cost of the defense of a law suit brought on by your friends Bowers make sense. How does spending money on an operational review make sense when it only serves to satisfy revenge against anyone who ever disagreed with Ann Marie Noyes? I could go on but you are to thick headed to get it. You actually have the nerve to compare taxes that were raised because they had to be with taxes being raised that didn't have to be. This is your defense of the fab four? Even if you were right, since when has the mistakes of the mistakes of the past ever justified the mistakes of the future? As for your comments that the ballot boxes were left in the care of Mr Wilson and they came back opened with your undertone that he meddled with the results is so far out of line that I think you may be the all time slander champion. I hope you have proof, because those are extremely serious accusations. If any of what you have said is true how come Noyes didn't file a law suit? I know if there was any evidence of that I would have. -GB
Editor you are off your meds again. How can you make such ridiculus statements, Wilson wanted a strip joint in ridgeway. Instead of making things up why don,t you print what he really did.Brought in the blue box program, started the transfer site at the Bridge street landfill, secured the additional 1000s of feet of beachfront for bay beach, led the charge for the new town hall and leisureplex just to name a few. Yes I am a Wilson supporter and yes I will continue to back him on this blog of nay saying neophites. At least I can back my statements up unlike you editor or you anonymous. You two blow hards still have not provided the fired from customs twice evidence because it does not exist except in your beer or drugged soaked minds.
GW
Folks, this is how certain posters try to take the attention off the real issues. Personal attacks and exalted praise for one of the people who is responsible for the mess that is Fort Erie are standard fare from these trolls. Their own blog isn't enough; they have to visit this blog to get attention.
The problems in Fort Erie go way, way back. Backroom deals and substandard representation have put this town in a huge, totally unnecessary deficit. There are several mayors and councils that brought this forward. Easy bingo money; selling out to developers; stupid planning (or lack thereof) and cronyism have left Fort Erie in shambles. The Four may not have all the answers but they are responding to the majority of the voters in their wards and are trying to do the best they can for their constituents.
I liken The Four's situation to a microcosm of what is happening to President Obama. No matter what he does, it is thwarted and downgraded by those who want to see him out of office. The Four have been subjected to a lot of abuse, by a few supporters of the Old Guard, because they have leveled the playing field and are responding to the wishes of the people who elected them.
This is so distasteful to a few that they have waged a smear campaign to discredit The Four. Where were they when former town leaders irresponsible actions put the town, and its taxpayers in such dire straits.
I think I will save Dan Harkins' Letter to the Editor for when the speedway pulls out of Fort Erie. To publish here when it happens. I see that Niagara Falls mayor Jim Diodati recently got the Dubai Deluxe treatment. I expect an announcement of a big development in Niagara Falls any day now.
Kudos to Cheryl and Peter for their Letters to the Editor.
The biggest Bingo fiasco was when Doug Martin issued bingo licences to Mayor Strange and his friend Father Foley of Snyder back in 1983 they walked off with hundreds of thousands of Fort Erie's Bingo dollars to support a homosexual lifestyle at our Towns expence,plus giving away free bingo paper to people with cartons of cigarettes. found by police in the trunk of Eugene Srange's Caddilac.The Buffalo papers were full of Father Foley's love nest paid with bingo dollars, a bingo customer squealed to the police about this misuse of money, The police notified the then Mayor Heinz Hummel.The police found nearly a hundred Thousand dollars in the Mayor's garage in Welland.
I brought that out because it was one of the few cases where the perps were caught and punished. There were many more who got away with it. Like the House that Bingo Built out in Stevensville and other land acquisitions by bingo conveners who suddenly started living large. It was a disgrace and it still bothers me that money destined to help people and stage events was misappropriated and outright stolen.
GW RE: RW arriving with open boxes - just ask people who were working at Poll station for ward 2..
Actually GW - RE: RW and the open boxes - ask Carolyn Kett - I am pretty sure she was called at the time it happened an made aware about it ..
Right so ward 2 is where you would go to rig an election? Some of the people on this blog are seriously paranoid.
I was working at ward 2 and you are all insane.
No one said any rigging happened at the polls for ward 2..
It was more then implied on this blog that Russ Wilson returned ballot boxes open. Followed by the expression, things that make you go ummm.... Bowers you have attacked so many people in this town over the years and lied and slandered so many that you have become the town idiot and living joke. You cry corruption but never produce evidence. You call others mental when you post under different names, you have made up all out lies that aren't even close to the truth. You just keep pushing that button. By now your plenty of Fish profile has been posted all over Facebook and the jokes have people in tears. You have become what you have tried to turn others into. The longest you were with someone was for seven years? You prefer to get to know someone over the internet first, is that because you don't want to scare them off too soon? I am hearing rumors that a billboard is in the works to help you find a date. Just our way to say thanks for all the slander.
Breaking News! Sources indicate that Queens Park is considering launching a public inquiry into funding of the foreign owned Fort Erie race track. Seems that the millions of public tax dollars spent on the gambling facility have NOT saved jobs, racing days are lessened and that the EDTC and the Town of Fort Erie have misled the province of Ontario. No word yet if MPP Kim Craitor supports this welcome inquiry.
More to come.
V
Fort Erie next?
Call your MPP's
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/19/jean-charest-announces-quebec-construction-corruption-inquiry/
and again the stupidity continues. How can it be breaking news when they are just settling in with a new cabinet? Again the slander continues on Bowers blog. The evidence keeps piling up.
I do hope that the province investigates the Fort Erie Racetrack because it has been propped up with taxpayer dollars for almost three years. There needs to be some accountability. Will the track ever become self-sufficient? What is the actual break-down of jobs saved? Is there a contingency plan in place? Has there been an effort to retrain current employees of the track in case it is forced to close? Perhaps the province should take a good, hard look at the logic of continuing to subsidize a losing proposition.
Whose evey fault it was for the facebook fiasco yesterday doesn't matter at this point. What sticks with this poster, is the immature actions taken by a few to take advantage of the situation i.e. changing times, pictures and event title. The sad thing is, these people are "adults" and this is how they act. Obviously it was a mistake for all these people to assigned rights as an administrator. People should be embarrassed by the actions of these people and not supportive with statements like this proves there is a majority or this shows people do not like the actions of certain councillors. The only thing it proved was there are very immature and childish people out there. The attacks personally about the Blog's writer are just so ridiculous. Here is an idea to help your community, "GROW UP and GET A LIFE!!!!
Breaking News! I just spoke with Kim Craitor personally and there is no investigation, no talk of an investigation. He has not heard anything even remotely close to what is being printed on this site. So the lies continue.
Co-incidentally, I received a phone call from someone who is working with the NDP at Queen's Park on this issue. (Even though they are not in session, they still are at work.) The poster who sent in the story originally did ask if Kim Craitor has been notified, because, it would seem he might not be aware of the push for an investigation. Thanks to you, he now has been informed. Poor Kim, can't even relax on a Sunday. I would never presume to call any elected official on a Sunday unless it was a matter that could not wait. Sounds like someone is over-reacting (or nervous.)
The point of the comment, and the subsequent phone call to me was to tell me that there are people urging MPPs to open an investigation. If there's nothing to worry about, why are you so quick to try to squash this story? I trust my source. And I do hope there is an investigation into the race track and its use of taxpayer funds.
Bowers keep on lying. Your walls are closing in on you. I have nothing to be nervous about. You however do. Tick Toc Tic Toc......
You have no friends so don't pretend you spoke with someone from Queens Park. Liar!
BTW, the Notices of Motion documents have been filed and the hearing is set for February 18, 2012 (Mistakenly listed as 2011) in Toronto on University Avenue.
This is the type of document that I was supposed to receive back in November of last year, but did not receive until March, ten days before the hearing. Great work on the part of the lawyers for the EDTC to give their client an unfair advantage. It generally takes about six months to a year before these matters get to the hearing stage at the Ontario Superior Court.
While I feel confident that the claimants in this matter have a very good case, I certainly cannot make a prediction.
But I can say that my situation regarding the EDTC is far from over.
Of course it isn't over because you have not paid up.
The personal attacks against the writer of this blog are the pure 100% result of this writers vile tenacity to lie and slander anyone and everyone and then twist it around on them. You have defamed peoples character as well. What ever you say about others look in the mirror. If you have one that hasn't broken yet? What ever is said about you you can bet there is more truth in it than anything you have ever said. There are over 200 comments about you personally on that Facebook profile page. Thats more votes than Richard Berry got. You pissed off the wrong people this time. People that can out think you, out wit you and do so with cause.
That's right, I pissed you off. Because I called you out for what you are: a bunch of losers who are furious that John Hill is holding a town hall meeting. You're furious that he is behaving like the adult in the room, while you have nothing left but to spew hatred and play vicious, dirty tricks. It is your group that is negative; blinded by the fact that there is a shift in power in council. Those of us who are For the Four sat through years of council voting as a bloc against the people's best interests. So, we got busy and helped get other candidates elected to council. Remember that your favourite mayor only won by a mere five votes.
You certainly have a right to protest and demonstrate all you want, but you do not have a right to sabotage the democratic process or to impede the truth from being disseminated to the people.
You really love to throw that slander accusation around, yet there is proof of slander against me on a Facebook page. Also bullying and harassment. Does that make you feel all better? Poor babies. Must be so frustrating to be you.
Meanwhile, I am enjoying watching your little cabal self-destruct. It's really not good being angry all then time. Watch out that you may become violent, as many of us predict that this will play out.
Greg, your anti-Americanism is so charming and appropriate for a community that gets a lot of its tax income and commercial revenue from "foreign sub-residents." Why don't you put your feelings about Americans on a sign and stand in front of town hall some night? Love to have a picture of that.
Now, I think it's beddy-bye time for you children. School tomorrow.
Your an idiot. You say we are furious with John Hill for holding a meeting? We support that meeting. We invited people too it. Is that how you shut something down by inviting people too it? We want to make sure that John Hill invites everyone and not just a select few. We already know that Hill, Lubberts and Collard are going to find some reason to give the FOCB back their license. The game Hill plays is that he has this supposed public meeting and then can go before council like he always does and say, this is what people are telling me. What he never mentions is that it is select people. This wasn't about closing it down it was about keeping it honest. A word that escapes you. I had nothing to do with that facebook fiasco like you claimed I did. Funny but I wasn't even made an admin so I couldn't have done any of those things you said I did. So you are still that lying sack of crap you left on the friendship trail. You claim I am anti American? You have also said I was anti Jewish, anti democratic, etc. etc. Lets face it, what I really am is anti lying and that makes me anti Bowers. Democracy would be letting the Gaming commission deal with the FOCB. These 4 are showing corruption by even doing this. If the FOCB does get their license back you bet I will be calling it corruption. Let them sue me, I doubt they will have time with the law suits coming their way. Their is undeniable evidence that these guys broke the rules and had their license taken away for a reason. It doesn't matter what Lubberts thinks, we are talking about a guy who thinks a snow blower is a motorized snow vehicle. The joke is that you guys got him elected. And tell whoever it is to quit trying to hack my computer. I have caught it every time. What is really going on here is that you are put out because there is a group of people who are smarter than you countering all the damage you have done. You just got away with it for so long and now you can't. Where is teh Jewish defense League, You claimed you reported me. Liar. Where are the cops? Liar, where is the FBI? Darth Vader? Liar. You are the only one who has ever been reported about and you ended up in court and now you are lying trying to weasel your way out. If it was as simple as having a difference of opinion that would be one thing. You are a compulsive liar. Just this week I have heard 2 separate stories about you ripping people off money. So I am hearing thief mixed in their as well. Am I angry, damn straight! You are fucking with my home town. So are these four councilors. Will I snap? I am glad you have a PHD in Phyc to make that conclusion. I am not the one charging the council chamber every week calling the mayor a crook. I am not the one brandishing a shotgun at my wife like your buddy. The truth is you fear us because we know things. We know lots of things and we back it all up. We know lots of things because people like you have pissed so many people off in this town they tell us things. They send us things. They tells us who and what to what to look for. You have no idea how many of us there are. You know who really created Red Bull Sharon? YOU DID! It was regular joes like us that had enough of the lies and bull shit. I get calls from people in this town who own businesses and thank me for what I do. They don't hate because you are on to them, they hate you because you lie about them. People don't like being lied about. Me, I have it in me to fight back and that is why you think I am dangerous. I make you feel that way but not for the reason you tell others. Off topic, where has your video troll been lately? I don't see her at town meetings anymore. So keep lying Sharon, we are just going to keep exposing you to the public. Especially all those who are using you. Pete says hi to Costa. Oops, I am supposed to refer to him as Sams brother.
So much anger; so little time. You really need to calm down and get a hobby. Or a life. Believe what you will; enjoy your delusions and do keep listening to those stories about me. Too bad you don't vet the sources. I am honoured that what I started almost ten years ago has garnered such attention that a number of blogs have been created just to refute what I write. I understand that it must be frustrating that I'm getting all this attention. Actually, that was not the reason I started The Strand. Like you, I was not happy with the way things were run in this town and I used my talent(?) to express that. I found that people don't like being outed and they often react in nasty ways. But, those in politics need to develop a thick skin because there will always be those who disagree, no matter what they do or say.
Now to you specific accusations: I was not the one who reported your Hitler video to the JDL, but two people I know said they did. There is a police report on file and an incident number where I reported what I perceived as threats from your camp. I believe that a previous poster spelled out that the procedure being followed in the bingo case is SOP. And, I would hope that you check out the source of those stories regarding "theft." Since you have thoroughly vetted me and have only come up with hearsay and my own writings, it should please you to know that, when I applied for Landed Immigration status, I went through a very detailed background search and, if there was anything untoward on my record, I would never have been allowed to emigrate to this fine country. Your recent diatribe on Facebook was filled with venom towards summer residents, who you describe as "sub-residents." We all know that is code for Americans in your fevered little brain. You even invite people to call you anti-American. Your idea of "fighting back" is to take over a Facebook page, screw around with it, and then brag about it later. Screenshots do not lie.
Oh, and the 85 year-old woman you charmingly call my "video troll" has been absent due to a family emergency. She has been involved in local politics long before you were even born and she has dedicated herself to "keeping 'em honest." She is a hero of mine, along with many others who are quietly working behind the scenes. So, I welcome your attention because it saves others, far more worthy than I, from being the butt of your tasteless jokes. They are decent, hard-working people who love Fort Erie and want the best for it. You can't seem to grasp that, so you lash out and throw baseless accusations and insults at me. You are committing slander against me. Look it up. There is a different set of criteria for slander against a private citizen, just so you know.
And you really need to give up on those voices that keep telling you that I'm a liar. Would I lie to you? Really?
Aren't you up past your bedtime? Work tomorrow and all that. Oh, you don't have a job? Sorry to hear that. Good thing you've got a wife who works. Hope your potential employers have a good look at your Facebook leavings. Much more permanent than my accident on the Friendship Trail.
Folks, I'm publishing the remarks from Greg Bonito and others because I want you to see the kind of people I have been dealing with for several years now. And, as I keep pushing their buttons, they do not disappoint. Mike Cloutier has accused me of being a thief for about fifteen years now, so I'm used to that. (I guess he thinks I stole his beer money.) He keeps threatening to produce proof, but he hasn't to date.
As to the other charges: I am currently receiving retirement benefits based on the fact that I worked in both the US and Canada. I feel fortunate that I am receiving these benefits.
I chose to live in this great country, but I still have strong ties to the US. I have the best of both worlds. It was Canada's universal health care that was the clincher. It was while I served on the Niagara District Health Council and its Mental Health Advisory Committee that I became more aware of the adage: all politics is local. (tm Tip O'Neil) It starts at the local level and, by osmosis travels to the upper levels of government.
So, I started paying attention to the local political scene and did not like what I saw and heard. That was twenty years ago. The mistakes made by previous councils, especially with regard to Crystal Beach, have bothered me and many other people.
About ten years ago, I decided to do something about it and I started The Strand.
BTW, I'm listening to the Stephanie Miller Show and she is now telling about how a group of malcontents hacked into her Facebook page and tried to tell people that her wildly popular "Sexy Liberal" show was canceled and that the theater was closed. However, people still attended the sold-out event.
And, like the Town Hall Meeting, the good and respectful people of this community will do the right thing.
Concerning Russ Wilson and the elections. Unlike the rest of you, I called Mrs. Kett at town hall because I know what a liar Bowers is and the people who blog on this site. Yes there was a complaint and a full investigation concluded that there was no evidence at all to support tampering. Sounds like sour grapes complaints too me. If you are going to rig an election, you don't do it in a ward that Doug Martin would have won hands down in the first place, and you don't do it in a seniors home where maybe they had like 20 voters.
Fight corruption.....support the Fab Four.....support this editor as she weathers personal attacks like these for the collective good of our town
@ 7:24 Laughing about the 200 comments post. Funny that they were only made by 3-4 individuals who have way too much time on his/her hands on a "restaurant" page. Grow up!
I love the Stephanie Miller show I think we share a lot of the same views,we also lived both sides of the Niagara River my wife was a staunch Democrat her family loved the new deal and FDR an aristocrat for the American people.I am British and Canadian so I too am a foreigner according to those morons who never bothered to attend council during the 70s and 80s I was stricken with Wegeners diease an auto immune Lupus type condition, took me out of the fray,while undergoing chemo. I am still here.
If you are going to rig an election, you don't do it in a ward that Doug Martin would have won hands down in the first place, and you don't do it in a seniors home where maybe they had like 20 voters. (Anonymous @11:42 AM 10.24.2011)
In Fort Erie, only five of those 20 votes from the seniors home would have been necessary for the election to go either way. Apparently, you're also not aware of many reports of election fraud due to the Diebold Voting Machines that were used in the Fort Erie election. In fact, a presidential election in the US may have been fixed with the help of Diebold machines.
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