SPECIAL ALERT:
Council Meeting tonight will discuss the election procedure and move to secure ballots in light of previous election problems. A friend provided the following quote:
"Those who cast the votes decide nothing.
Those who count the votes decide everything."
- Josef Stalin
We hear around town that many candidates are being asked specifically what they plan to do with regard to Jim Thibert of the Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Corporation and, by extension, the funding for the Fort Erie Race Track.
A noticeable change in the opinion of mayoral and regional candidates about town funding for the horse track was apparent at the meeting last week sponsored by the Kinettes in Stevensville. A couple of candidates were adamant that the town does not need to be funding the race track; the track must be able to stand on its own financially. However, without the close to $8 million from the province each year, the track cannot sustain itself. Jim Thibert, who also holds the title of head of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium and has convinced a few that he can wear both hats while looking out for the interests of the business community, begged council last March to provide emergency funding to the tune of $500,000. to pay for the lease on the track. Council held an emergency meeting and the funding was provided. As it turns out, there was no need for the emergency meeting or the rush to provide the money. Some feel that the FELRC/EDTC misled the council into believing that the racing season was in jeopardy without the funding from the town. Months later, the money wasn't yet claimed. At the end of the season, the FELRC/EDTC requested the money for "operating expenses." The emergency request for the half million of taxpayer money from the town was not an emergency, yet the local newspapers touted the town's action as a last minute saving of the race track. Which made Jim Thibert look like a hero when it appears that he misrepresented the track's situation.
Many in town are used to Jimmy's tactics and behaviour, yet he goes on as though it's others' fault who take offence to his crude language and side show performances. Many are suggesting that the arm's length corporation be returned to town hall as a regular department and that Jim be forced to choose between the FELRC and the EDTC. It seems to work in other communities including nearby Port Colborne.
Those who are canvassing for various candidates and the candidates themselves are encountering people who are fed up with the constant infusions of taxpayer money (yes, the money from the province is also taxpayer generated) to run a short season racing venue while other small businesses are allowed to fail because of lack of support by the track-centric EDTC.
Ask yourself: do you want to see well over a million dollars of taxpayer money going to prop up the race track when there is no real job growth or business support offered by the EDTC for other businesses?
Speaking of small businesses, has any candidate offered help for Jarivs St.? Losing Pikes Dry Cleaners especially hit hard as its part of our childhood memories; a sense of community stability. What, if anything, will fill yet another dismal gap? There are so many talented people yearning for something better, with so much to give, wanting to "make it". The disconnect between small business and any hope is so sad and unneccesary.
ReplyDeleteI'm still upset that the town/EDTC or someone didn't help Stewart's Market on Dominion when the owners had to replace the refrigeration units. The market was forced to close, putting twenty or so full time employees out of work. Small business that was important to the community. Gone. Hope that Pike's will rebuild and stay in Fort Erie. It had employees who are now out of work. These are the businesses that should receive help from the EDTC to get them through these difficult times. Insurance often doesn't cover enough to return to business. Twenty jobs here and there soon add up. Small businesses are being squeezed out by the big box stores and the local EDTC seems to only lobby for help for a struggling race track.
DeleteI'm also still angry that the council was misled to think that an immediate infusion of $500,000. was needed back at the end of March to prevent the closure of the Fort Erie Race Truck. Turns out it wasn't needed after all. But the track needs it now for "expenses."
josef Stalin, now there's a man who knew about power. Challenge him and you disappeared not unlike the ol boys club through Jimmie Dirt Bag/ CofC and the likes of which have been trying to do to 4 duly elected councillors for 4 years .
ReplyDeleteThey did succeed with Noyes however so all was not lost in their hijacking of ballot boxes and silencing the democratic process. Question is though, will we let them do it again??
I just saw that Lesley North is scheduled to speak tonight about the ballot situation. Wonder how many insults to the four councillors will Dougie allow her to get away with this time? What citizen who wants "transparency" and honesty in government would be opposed to tightening the security on the ballots? Only someone from the ninja cult would object.
DeleteThere are many options when the question of ballot box security comes up. Option one; agree, agree, then agree, then do nothing. Option 2; suggest a commitee be formed to look in to it for the future. Option 3; explain that this late date nothing can be done as the cardboard boxes have already been chosen. Option 4: explain that changes such as the ones being brought up are made by some other distant group of people who make decisions of this type independent of "this council". Option 5: examine options 1 to 4 and come up with some combination of these reasons why something can't change. Option 6; have all the ballot boxes delivered to the back door of the EDTC offices in the night for ballot counting. That one, the mayor might go for. Fortunately we have a few (4) councillors that wouldnt go for that (if indeed it was put to a vote and not just a "policy decision", similar in its own way to the EDTC itself). We could ask the ninjaws to oversee the counting, and send up a puff of white smoke when the new poobah is proclaimed. This is beginning to sound like a SNL sketch. It will infact be a Monday Night Live sketch in some ways. Be prepared to hear some real lame reasons tonight why nothing can be changed, perhaps even harsh looks from the Horseshoe for even suggesting that anyone would diddle with the voting process.
ReplyDeleteHope Leslie gets her facts straight. Some boxes were open.Town Staff who were transporting them in the back of a pickup track said "Whoops...bad tape" One town staff was left alone with the boxes when Al entered the Ward 2 election center .There was a vote count problem in Ward two where these same boxes were transported to for counting.. Those are the facts Leslie.
ReplyDeleteLeslie stated that there was no proof to allegations in a blog run by a "convicted slanderer." Oops! Busted by Lesley! Later in the meeting we were reminded that the council (lame ducks) refused to have a recount in the mayoral election and were forced to do so by the courts. There was a four vote margin and such a recount should be automatic in such a close election. Martin went on to say that he received three more votes but two were thrown out. So, he's mayor by seven votes, eh? Oh, that's a big difference.
DeleteMartin is clearly trying to shut Lubberts down. I hope that people pay close attention to Martin's behaviour. Man doesn't want any discussion on anything.
Can't wait to see him go off into the sunset.
There is an easy solution to the protecting the integrity of this election. Hire a security company to transport all ballot boxes from the voting station to town hall.. The cost cannot be that high. We hire them all summer to check into bags/coolers etc. at the beach to ensure there is no alcohol in the bags.
ReplyDeleteRide off into the sunset and take his lifelong sidekick with him.!!!!
ReplyDeleteHad a good laugh reading a post on the ninny site (yes I know...I had time to kill). The post about the region/mayor candidates night had the exact same illiterate "writing" as the threat letter to you madame editor from Leslie. If there was any doubt who 'Ninja digger' was...one need only look at the dim witted writing style. Its funny watching these folks ruin their own cause....
ReplyDeleteWell, Lesley did display her investigative skills at council on Tuesday evening. She has done a thorough study of the insurance coverage for those officials who would be forced to take scrutineers with the ballots from senior residences/nursing homes in Wards 1 and 2.
DeleteA regular Joan of Snark she is.