Tuesday, October 7, 2014

20 DAYS - CAR 4 WHERE ARE YOU?

Yes, it really happened. Back in 2006. The late Peggy Fraser told many of the mysterious disappearance of the vehicle carrying votes from a voting station in Ward 4 to town hall. Fraser was in a car following the truck to town hall when they lost sight of it and could not find it, so they proceeded to town hall.  The truck arrived around a half hour later.  When the votes were counted, Tim Whitfield had defeated incumbent Richard Berry 887-809.  

Then in 2010, at one of the polling stations in Ward 2 at a seniors' residence, a box of ballots fell open and was accidentally mixed in with votes that had already been counted. A volunteer explained the mix-up as a mistake and the man in charge, Russ Wilson explained that the tape holding the box closed was "old" and caused to box to open.  This caused an uproar in the mayoral election as the healthy lead that candidate Ann Marie Noyes held going into the counting of the ballots from Wards 1 and 2, evaporated very quickly and the incumbent mayor Doug Martin ended up winning by a mere five votes.  Many believe that the mistake may have contributed to the turnaround, but the matter was quickly shoved aside.

This was the reason that Ward 5 Councillor Don Lubberts asked the town clerk if it was possible for a candidate's scrutineer be allowed to travel with the ballots from seniors' residence to seniors' residence as an additional safety measure.  The acting town clerk agreed that this could be done. Then the mayor-by-five-votes and his heir apparent got into the act and protested this possibility as "ridiculous."  The mayor-by-five-votes went on give as an example, "I don't trust Don Lubberts or his scrutineers..." before he was interrupted with a point of order by Don Lubberts who protested that Martin was insulting him.  Martin said that if he could continue, he was trying to make a point and tried again.  Interrupted again.  Finally, chair John Hill took control and asked Martin to use a generic term like "Councillor A" but Martin went on the same path until another interruption and then reluctantly changed his example to "Councillor A."  All that to make the point that he was against the notion of scrutineers riding along with the ballots. Although there have been remedies put into place to prevent another incident like the one in 2010, there is a level of distrust of the protection of the ballots in light of events around other past elections.

Stay tuned, this will come up next week as a motion in council.  It would only effect Wards 1 and 2 where there are seniors' residences that have on site voting.


In another story:  In 2010, people who lived in the Ridgeway-by-the-Lake development (not a gated community) invited candidates to a resident's home to meet and answer questions from the people who lived in the development. It was an informative and orderly exchange. This year Ward 5 candidates have been invited to meet and answer questions at the Algonquin Clubhouse, the community centre in the development. Some who do not live in the ward or the development wanted to attend the event but were told that due to space restraints, the event was only open to residents of the development. Now, the Dark Side has decided it will be an ambush and two candidates have declined to appear at the meet and greet.  Perhaps they are afraid that they will be booed and heckled like the incumbents were subjected to at the Chamber of Commerce Candidates Night a week ago in Stevensville.  Not going to happen. The people of Ridgeway-by-the-Lake are adults who just want to have a chance to ask questions of the persons who want to represent them for the next four years.

ANOTHER SLANDER BLOGGER? Of course, I have been given that title since I was sued successfully with over $20,000. in taxpayer money by Jim Thibert.  By now, most know that Greg Bonito, who hides behind the avatar "Sensei Ron" (He's neither a sensei or a Ron) has been served court papers for Libel by a lawyer representing John Hill and Don Lubberts. This was for remarks made on that blog that were perceived to be slanderous.  Instead of following a cease and desist order, the blog has decided that the councillors should have defended themselves on the same blog that trashes them consistently. The irony of the ninjas' situation is quite amusing since they were all in favour of shutting me up when I was sued. Now they are whining about an attack on their freedom of speech. Bwah!

21 comments:

  1. There were a lot of journalism students attending last night's Council Meeting. Afterwards they were wondering why martin and pessaro had such a problem with the ballot boxes being transported by more that one person. And from what I understood that the box was NOT in a trunk as martin said but beside the driver during the transfer.

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  2. Has Greg actually been served with court papers or are you just referring to the letter on the Ninja site which is not court papers?

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    Replies
    1. Greg has been served with papers from the attorneys that include a Cease and Desist Order. They have been filed in court.

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  3. When a persons ox is being gored, the rabble cheer, when the ox turns on them they run for the hills," pay back can be a bitch " as the renowned saying goes .the pay back is coming on strong, this election season.

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  4. The Municipal Election Act allows council to set the criteria for running elections, I know, as I was the only person to attend the seminars held 4 years ago, for potential candidates ,only two people from Fort Erie attended the sessions held at the McBain Centre in Niagara Falls.as long as they mirror the main rules of the Provincial Elections,.Donnie Lubberts request is in order and legal.

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  5. Are not the ballot boxes able to be locked even with a hasp and a padlock that the keys for are held at a central counting centre with witnesses?? Did you say a cardboard box with old tape fell apart? Even housekeepers keep a cabinet containing cleaning fluids locked so the kids dont get in there, or they should, if they dont. This is beginning to sound like a high school election with no precautions being used on the ballot boxes, although even the highschool we went to had locking ballot boxes. Must admit some of those election attendents dont look like the sharpest tools in the shed. Perhaps selected by some friends of friends? Friends of whom you might wonder?? Friends of $18 dollars an hour and up Ive been told. Cardboard ballot boxes? Sounds like the title of a very bad country song.

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  6. The Candidates Night at the Leisureplex was rather uneventful. Crowd was chided about the behaviour of some at the previous event in Stevensville. Not to worry this time. The three incumbents for council were not on the dais. The Dark Side will have to go back on Facebook to continue their attacks on the four. By now, people are getting sick of the constant stream of invective that has taken over otherwise staid and nostalgic group pages.

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  7. And it gets better...Thibert has issued law suit against Lubberts and there is no doubt since the question won't be answered of "Who is paying" that it is once again out of the money the Town pays the EDTC. How stupid are we to give the EDTC another red cent to sue ourselves.

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  8. view_from_the_beachOctober 8, 2014 at 3:05 PM

    Nothing is more indicative, nor more humorous, than the fact that Mr. Bonito, now that it REALLY matters, had to “farm out” his “apology” for his dis-respectful, insulting attacks on 4 Councilors whom were overwhelmingly elected by the people of Fort Erie.

    The blog post written in his screen name, clearly indicates a level of education as well as a new degree of clearly stated vindictiveness that “ol’ greggers” could only hope for. He simply has never been, nor will he ever be capable of expressing himself above a grade 6 level and while this felonious post rings of a better command of the written word, it just as clearly radiates a higher degree of plain, simple hatred for the 4 Councilors than he could ever express with words.

    Why it seems rather personal wouldn't you say?

    I believe that it’s NO COINCIDENCE that this obviously fake and extremely insulting rant shares space directly next to an endorsement for council candidate Marina Butler.

    Make NO MISTAKE friends. Ms. Butler is THE CANDIDATE OF CHOICE for the simplest minded, most hate inspired, disingenuous individuals one could possibly find throughout Fort Erie.
    Need proof.. Just look on the mutant website she’s SO PROUD to hang her campaign on.

    Nothing though could make king jimbo more proud though eh?
    After all.. He is the JT

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  9. Just checked the real estate sales for Fort erie for the last 9 months & guess what?
    almost 50% were in Ridgeway & Crystal Beach. I guess that these areas are prosperous & the rest are not so much. Maybe the East Fort Erie folk aka the Ninjas need to stop alienating good people from locating to their neighborhoods. Also they need to recognize that the taxpayers in these areas have a right to vote for the person who best supports their interests. Have you ever questioned why the builders are willing to create nice neighborhoods in the CB & Ridgeway areas as opposed to the East Fort Erie areas? Maybe they are aware of the negative , anti- don't sell to out of Towner's mindset?
    It is too bad that a vocal few have that much power especially since they are not
    positive contributer's to the Town overall. As they say it only takes a few vocal idiots to screw up everyone's life!

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    Replies
    1. There is a lot of good news coming out of Crystal Beach. Just went by The Pines and major foundation work is being done. Hope they re-open soon. Marz homes updating their plan to increase green space. Town houses going in along Schooley. New people moving in. They appreciate that the Bay Beach Properties were not developed. Some even hesitated until the high rise threat was removed.

      Anyone who has had the chance to visit places like Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket know how wonderful and quaint they are. No high rises allowed.

      Crystal Beach has tremendous potential as does the Bridgeburg area. One is moving forward; the other is failing. Why? Community Spirit. BTW, 5K walk/run on Saturday. Over 500 already registered. Starts at the Crystal Chandelier in Crystal Beach!

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  10. Rick Shular mentioned in his time slot at the Candidates Meeting that it was too bad more people didn't attend Council Meetings.

    They did and weren't listened to. Our PUBLIC BEACHFRONT was almost given away.

    Now all that come is a small hateful mob to back the mayor by five votes.

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    Replies
    1. Many, like myself, prefer to listen to the meetings. The disruptive element is just too much for decent people to endure.

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    2. Many people stopped going in the past 3 years because of the disgusting behaviour of Doug Martin's friends. Not only were they harassing the council members they didn't like but they also harassed others who stood with those people.

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  11. That gang is quite sickening. To have all that hatred to post that someone is a "lying idiot" is despicable. She can't even articulate what she is disputing.

    I am so glad that my friends are sensible and polite.

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  12. Now if we could just get the members of the federal house of commons to be a little more polite when someone is speaking... have you seen that circus?? Ive been to hockey games that are more subdued that that band of suited jackels. What an example to set for the students that visit the Parliament in Ottawa!! Makes the rude goofs in the town council chambers look like petulant children at a boring tea party. At least its getting a little better, although its probly going to take a little more than a break in the racket from the peanut gallery to bring more people back to the council meetings. (unfortunately). Maybe a more respectfull group in the "horseshoe" after the next election?? Theres always hope.

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    1. I would say that the lack of respect was evident in the last council. Tim Whitfield called Ann Marie Npyes a liar and demanded her resignation. He was allowed to get away with it by Mayor Martin. Jimmy Thibert once called her "delusional" and he was often rude, crude and lewd in council presentations. Even during the numerous delegations to council by those opposed to a high rise on the public's waterfront property, were polite and the large crowds were respectful.

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  13. Whatever happens this election, the ballot boxes had better be overseen by at least a couple people, preferably from outside town, at all times. At the very least this will save more expensive court battles at great public expense. Not that Dirty Doug and his gang of thugs cares, as long as their power is preserved.

    I find it quite ludicrous that Dougie "doesn't trust Luberts and his scrutineers". Very very FILTHY pot calling the kettle black my grandmother would say. Another shining example of just how completely morally bankrupt our so called leader and his disciples are.

    I believe those in the mental health trades would call this transference of guilt.

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    1. It really does sound like Fort Erie is way behind the times on its election protocol. Lord knows what has gone on in the past the way the elections were run. In my research, I learned that many communities "swap" their clerks and staff with other nearby communities to prevent possible allegations of fixing. I was shocked that the ballots were kept in cardboard boxes. You mean, the town can't afford some lock boxes to be used in elections? Cripes, the taxpayers were on the hook for $110,000. for compliance audits in 2010. Seems like small change to buy metal lockboxes. BTW, there is a correction on the 2006 story. The truck carrying the ballots from a voting station in Ward 4 was missing for over an hour - more like an hour-and-a-half according to one witness.

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    2. Dont doubt it for a second. Flat tire?? no they were screwing with the democratic process that men have fought and died for to give us the right.

      The ol boys and certain town staff would do anything to shut Richard Berry up.

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    3. Actually, it was Richard himself who corrected the length of time that the truck was MIA.

      Delete

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