Yes, I received the links to articles about councillors being sued by developers. The difference in the Bay Beach situation is that there are so many things wrong with the deal that anyone who voted in favour of it should be sued. You might want to look up the term S.L.A.P.P. Lawsuit while you're surfing the 'net for links that support your argument.
We started out the year with a shot across the bow of the OBB, especially the owner who did not disappoint. When pushed, he always says something stupid on Facebook. That's because he's getting more attention than he ever received in his life and it has gone to his head. Most smart restaurant owners are too busy working to find the time to pontificate on Facebook about local issues.The operative word is "smart."
I know that some people were wondering why the Bay Beach issue was brought up once again at Monday night's (January 9, 2012) Council in Committee Meeting, but, one has to wonder why the town is so reluctant to share the so called "final draft" of the site plan. It is good to question the "site plan" as there were serious mistakes made on previous versions of the plans. The answer put forth by Heather Salter does not inspire confidence that there wouldn't be surprises in the so called "site plan."
And the reason why many of us are suspicious is that we have been lied to before by the developers, certain departed town staff and others. As I pointed out in The Strand, Ron Tripp was aware that the Ministry of Natural Resources (which has still not issued a permit to build) required a toad habitat to be set aside and the developers decided to use almost all the public property on the south side of Erie for that purpose. Which, of course, wiped out many of the so-called "amenities" we were supposed to get in exchange for giving a large portion of the property to the Molinaros.
Then, we can go back to the very beginning when the "focus groups" were put together and the results skewed to make it look like there was support for the condo towers when there wasn't. Then came a second waltz around the dance floor until they got all the dancers in lockstep.
Then there was a phony poll of the Crystal Beach businesses that was later denied. The site plan that included a property on a side street and a balcony that appeared; was "removed" and returned while the Molinaro's architect said that an agreement with the next door family was never reached and on and on.
The pro-condo people only had to change one vote or the deal would have been cancelled, so they set their sights on the weak link and made sure he turned away from his promise to the people who worked and voted for him. That's politics, folks. At least, it's the dark side of politics.
Is it any wonder that John Hill and Don Lubberts want to see this "final draft of the site plan?"
Quick! Before it changes again!
45 comments:
It seems Peter K. didn't say something "stupid" on his Facebook page unintentionally.
He was answering your call and rattled your paranoid chicken coup with his usual antics.
He seems to find joy in it and many others do too.
Carry on with your latest distorted reallity and humour us some more.
"Usual antics" indeed. Bragging about invasion of privacy of a tenant by bugging his office and then posting it on Facebook goes way beyond "antic."
Verifying that he wants to put a restaurant in the Molinaro Tower, whether a "joke" or not, will live on forever on Facebook.
Bragging about who meets at his restaurant and what they are discussing is simply not good form for a restauranteur. How many other conversations and actions has he recorded on his restaurant cameras and listening devices? Perhaps he has used the information for "other purposes."
There is a vast difference between paranoia and being suspicious, based on past history.
It's always something with you Sharon...you are always cowardly sitting in your hovel cyber bullying someone.
Whether it is Thibert, PK ,Mostachi or Wilson there is always someone in the community that you have a hate on for and that you love to go after.
You are the prime example of a bully...chicken shit that you are.
It is soooo easy to stay safely indoors and bully away on this blahg of yours....I have lived here forever and never seen you lending a hand and doing anything postive for the community.
You are constantly bragging about how you organized this or sat on that commitee....you are the saviour of the community....good grief...you are a sick one my dear!
I wonder what goes on in the head of a person who lies so easily? You state that the town is reluctant. Well for starters what I heard was the town lawyers say she will make it all available today. Keep lying Bowers. They are all going to catch up to you one day and you will regret your bull shit.
Are you suggesting that Councillor Steckley is practicing the "dark side of politics"?
I was going by what I heard in the live stream of the meeting. John Hill was told that it was not normal policy to make that information available to the councillors and it was only after repeated requests that Salter finally agreed to make the information available.
The Bay Beach issue is a very controversial and contentious issue. Town staff should be more than amenable to fulfill requests for information. It took a Freedom of Information request to be able to see the proposed toad habitat.
The public, through their councillors, should be able to see and access any information that is not confidential. The site plan, in its present form, should have been handed over to the councillors as part of their information package, in my opinion.
Peter K. seems to be playing you and your peeps for years, knowing how paranoid all of you must be.
It's actually hilarious seeing him counter act your childish behaviours.
Those of us who are paying attention see the dark side of politics in Fort Erie. Bob Steckley is a victim of this dark side. Some of us have very good intel on how this was done and how some other innocent people were used and then thrown under the bus.
Wow, the comments just keep on coming in. They doth protest too much, me thinks.
Frankly, I don't care one whit about Peter K. but he has gone after people I do care about.
I have to laugh that I'm now considered a bully by some who comment here. Pot, meet kettle.
BTW, what happened to the RBullshit blogs? Now, there's some class A bullying. It's even in the name. Did someone get served - or did some level of law enforcement offer advice to refrain from certain rhetoric when posting?
That or Bob happens to be the only smart one of the 4. You loved the guy and now you hate him. And for one reason, because he won't play your game anymore.
Or perhaps the Red Bull admins are out of town working because there are no jobs in town.
No one hates Bob - or anyone else. I am disappointed that he changed his vote. He knows this. He did what he thought was the right thing and I have no problem with that. But it does make me further realize that this Bay Beach deal is toxic.
or perhaps you are the monster that got out of control and Bob is walking away from you.
Bowers you have been caught in so many lies, it is you that makes it toxic. For everyone minus the small few of you that remain you are destined to wallow in your loss. You didn't have the control you thought you did. Your voice wasn't as powerful as your ego assumed. You admitted to getting the links but never posted them. Why, because you are afraid of the tru.... Oh that's right, you are afraid of the truth. Someone on here asked when has a developer ever sued a councilor. 3 links were provided as examples. Answer their question. Chicken!
Makes me wonder how one or more of you find the time in your busy lives to comment on this blog. Wish you would say something positive, but that's not in your lexicon.
I will reiterate this: the Polar Bear Dip and Chili Cook-off was a wonderful community effort and congratulations are in order to all the volunteers and organizers. It gets better every year!
Don't count your chickens yet, editor! Maybe Rullbulldiaries is in holding pattern, waiting for the Bay Beach issue and other progressive initiatives to be thwarted by your people that you care about on council?
How the hell would you know? You weren't there.
What would Red Bull need to talk about. The deal is done no matter how bad you wish it wasn't. You lost. Liars never win. Don't you know that by now. If you look on Peters page it is amazing how many people are commenting about you. How does it feel to be this vilified? No wonder you never leave your house. Can you feel the eyes in the back of your head staring at you. The funny thing is that no matter what you say, people can read your crap and see what type of person you are. If you went after one or 2 people that is one thing but you attack everyone and you lie about everyone.
Where wasn't I? Thought you never saw me before.
I did not attend the Polar Bear Dip this year; another commitment. I did talk to one of the organizers and saw (and posted) the fine coverage by Cogeco.
It has grown a lot since the first year, a testament to the volunteers and organizers. Congrats!
Another commitment?
You were busy on your computer slandering a successful business person while the Polar Bear Dip was going on!
Look at the post times and comments on your previous blog...
Baaaaahhhhhhh!
The times on the computer might be off. I was out for most of the afternoon. What, weren't you aware of that? Since you seem to know all about me. And, speaking of stalking, you might look the word up in a dictionary and you will probably see your picture. What about providing a link to a property listing is slanderous?
Please, I'm trying to watch the coverage of the New Hampshire Primary. I find it all fascinating. I will now put the laptop away and watch.
Go write your remarks on Facebook where you have to include your name.
Chin up Sharon.
Evil always hates good and you're the lightening rod for the evil side of this development.
Clearly they have much to loose if you prevail.
The stupid doesn't stop. While I was watching the coverage of the New Hampshire Primary, it appears that OBB blew up on Facebook.
There are no words....
Lol, does anyone know of a good place to eat on Jarvis? (Excluding the Chip Wagon) I don't!!! That is all..
The Coffee Culture is good for lunch or snacks and, as far as I know, the owner doesn't go on Facebook to trash cancer patients.
I just received a very funny remark about a certain blob-er-blogger, but I will not print it.
They have done enough damage to their reputations; they don't need any help from us.
I vote FOR the Bay Beach project!
Finally someone out there is going to take a chance and bring their money here and invest, it's about time is all I can say, hurray for the Molinaro Group!!!
This is the start of something prosperous for this town, and I hope that other developers will follow suit. This is exactly what this town needs desperately, and that's investment! As it stands right now, our town is almost broke, just like most of the people who live here. Ask yourself a question... do you have money to invest in this town? Probably not. If you had money would you invest it in this town... probably not! so without developers, this town will continue to lose out in its future.
The Town of Fort Erie needs outside investors like this to bring this town up to a competitive edge with other towns. Our town suffers enough from not having anything but residential/commercial tax payers, and the taxes are already too high.
Think about what this really means to Fort Erie in the long run, it’s a ripple effect of money circulating around town, and don’t forget all the summertime folks that come to live and visit in the summer, if they see improvement, they share that with 10 friends and we soon will have a nice boom of business!
I agree with almost everything you stated - except the location. If a developer came in and bought private property to build, there would be little or no opposition - even to the height. There are several lakefront properties for sale that offer much larger areas for development. Why the Bay Beach Properties?
The problem is, and has always been, that the Molinaros are being given prime public waterfront property to develop, while the town is getting next to nothing in return.
I do'nt think anyone in their right mind wants to turn investment away from this Town. The investment has to be smart, well thought out and beneficial to all. Not just a special few. Bay Beach only benefits a few while denying public access to the only real beach left in town. Please do not say the public will have access. There is no other word for this but a lie. Would you pay top dollar for one of these units and have masses of the public all over "your" front lawn? Of course not.
IF the condo goes up, there will be waitresses hired, what happens then to the waitress jobs down Erie when those restaurants suffer because they don't have a view of the lake, no matter how good their food is? Oh, and where do those who work at the restaurant and go there park? Will there eventually be parking only for patrons and staff? There will already be a shortage of parking spots. What about the parking for store partrons? It has been mentioned that a fitness centre will be at the bottom, where do they park, think about classes that overlap?Some deal we got!
And there still will be the off-season problem which is not going to be solved with a condo inhabited by summer residents who will be long gone in the winter.
Ever been to Ellicotville? It thrives in the winter because of the snow/ski resorts in the area. However, it has a great off season as well because of smart marketing and a strong business community effort.
Its downtown core is very quaint and development is very carefully done to enhance the vista, rather than obstruct it.
I can see Crystal Beach becoming an even greater summer place with a first class public park and lots of activities in both summer and winter. The Polar Bear Dip could be part of a winter initiative that markets the village in the off season.
A high rise condo on public waterfront land is not going to enhance the town; it will place a barrier on what was once a potential park overlooking the beach.
Why would any town do this to its own people? Give away their public parkland? Doesn't make sense and it never will.
If you think the Bay Beach condo SCAM is a good thing for the town then you have really been conned by the Condo and Mayor Hommer Martin Simpson. It is a lie believed by the ignorant,the corrupt and the fool. You do NOT sell off the last of your public beach lands! The town should look at cuts to its nepatistic, overbloated staff, of which some (including rats that leave the sinking ship)Staff that have been the biggest f ups's ever! This town has been one bad choice after another. The only ones to benefit are indeed the ones in on the scam. The community still has the opportunty to stop a very bad choice and save one of the last assests left. One more thing. Seems the town asskissers are not very nice and making threats to a resident fighting cancer.
Karma
Ahole
Here's something to make you wonder:
In July 2011, the Central Fraud Unit initiated an investigation following a complaint regarding a St. Catharines lawyer.
During the course of the investigation, additional complaints were received. The complaints focused on a number of different legal matters.
On November 23, 2011, Graham Wilson was arrested and charged with two counts of fraud over $5000, two counts of breach of trust, uttering a forged document, possession of property obtained by crime and misappropriation of money. Wilson appeared for a bail hearing and was released with several conditions.
The Central Fraud Unit is continuing their investigation. Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police. A publication ban under section 517 of the Criminal Code of Canada was granted preventing the release any further details.
**************************************************** UPDATE *******************************************************
On Tuesday January 10, 2012, Graham Wilson appeared in court in relation to the initial charges. As a result of the continuing investigation, Graham Wilson has been further charged with seven counts of Misappropriation of Money, seven counts of Breach of Trust, Fraud over $5000.00 and Uttering a Forged Document. His next court appearance date is February 21, 2012.
Youre so right. Im there with you. Your blog is unquestionably worth a read if anyone comes throughout it. Im lucky I did because now Ive obtained a whole new view of this. I didnt realise that this issue was so important and so universal. You undoubtedly put it in perspective for me.
Quaint, come on!!!!!Polar Bear swims, mini-marathons, street dances, all are great,but that is not going to turn the CB area around.Take a look, these things have taken place, I still see boarded up businesses, and hardly anybody on the streets. Wake up people , get into the millenium. We are making ourselves look like we are still in the 1960's
You are insulting all the people who have worked hard in Crystal Beach to fix up their homes; open businesses and clean up the area.
The village took a major hit in 1989 when the amusement park closed and it didn't get much help until the C.A.U.S.E. Study was concluded in 1996. The fact that a prestigious group of experts saw the potential in Crystal Beach was a major shot in the arm to many people. There have been growing pains and set-backs, but the spirit lives on and people are very protective of their community.
An anonymous poster like you, luckily has no real knowledge of Crystal Beach - or you wouldn't say such things.
Editor you have no concept on economic survival. To spout on and on about 1989 and 9-11, that is the past . This is now!!!!! Swims and runs are not opening businessess, and they are not going to. The beach is there now and I see nothing happening. You make it sound like that things are going to turn around. You truly do not have a clue.
1996!!!! .... that was 16 years ago and Crystal Beach looks worse now then it ever did.
Wake up and smell the rotting algae.
Child Please! Crystal Beach is a beautiful lil village! Take yo self down Jarvis nuttin but stank. That's right,NUTTIN BUT STANK! Good day kind sirs.
XXX
Crystal Beach looks worse than it ever has? I don't think so. So your problem is with algae on the beach? Algae is ALWAYS used as a determining factor in determining economic vitality of the area. Algae and demand theory, ever heard of it? I forgot the condo is going to send out a beacon of light to eradicate all algae from encroaching upon its shore lines!!
Crystal Beach looks worse than it ever has? I don't think so. So your problem is with algae on the beach? Algae is ALWAYS used as a determining factor in determining economic vitality of the area. Algae and demand theory, ever heard of it? I forgot the condo is going to send out a beacon of light to eradicate all algae from encroaching upon its shore lines!!
It is amazing how the folks on this blog have alot to say about the beaches in crystal but have really spent little or no time in the area!! I find it amazing how the East Fort Erie residents discount the value of having a pristine sand beach in their region. They are so willing to destroy this tourist attraction - is it because they do not have an attraction of the same value?misery likes company so they say.
Or have certain misguided individuals convinced them that the only saving grace for the town is the beach? If that is so then why are the Town staff polluting the Beaches in THUNDERBAY? Enquiring Minds would like to know
who is pushing all this devopment for Bay Beach & the rest of the lakefront & who is going to pay for the infrastructure for water & sewer?? Answer all of the tax payers.Fort Erie water bills are going up4.5% BEACUSE THE REST OF THE REGION IS CONSERVING WATER- NOW THIS IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS COMMENT EVER MADE BY A STAFF EMPLOYEE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!!
You can blame FOCB or FEWPA or Santa Claus but the blame lies within the management of the Town which includes staff not previous council.
Have you heard about the Blue Flag designation for Ontario Beaches- St Catharines would like to be granted this designation.
Fort Erie could be awarded this honour if they chose to quit dumping sewage & polluted rain water and storm water runoff onto the shoreline!! Maybe the OBB gang should reconsider their mantra(development at any cost) & consider an environmentally development as a better alternative to a tourist attraction. High end seafood eatery excellent but not within a 12 storey tower, Peter K, you are very creative & I am sure you could come up with a very trendy site for the foodies without a tower, it is all about the food!!
Plus you have great connections with the Town & I am sure you could get approvals for a restaurant overlooking the beach.
Maybe the goal for 2012 should be
:lets work on expanding the increase in public awareness of what crystal beach has to offer !!
I second that!!!
Nice points but I can i ask where you learned of this?
Where I learned of what? Just asking as your comment was rather vague. I have spent a lot of time in the past ten years learning about how the town seems to be, as I said in a newspaper article three years ago, "hell-bent on selling off the Bay Beach Properties." Of course, the town is not really selling the property; it's giving the property away - which is even worse. What do we get in return? A narrow pathway to our public beach and an outhouse in the sand that will probably be destroyed in the first bad storm.
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