Wednesday, January 17, 2018

HOPE FOR 2018?

I can't take it much longer. The Trump presidency has been exhausting and it's only a year since the inauguration.


The man who refers to Africa and Haiti has "sh*t-hole countries" has tried my last nerve.

When I think back over the past decade, it does not surprise me that politics has become so grotesque. We had an appetizer of this here in Fort Erie during the Great War Over Bay Beach. Talk about grotesque.

So,here we are in 2018 and there are community groups working hard to fund a park at the Bay Beach Properties now that the twelve story Martin Tower and the mayor who pushed for it are long gone. Good news after years of struggle and lies.

Meanwhile, the mythical Canadian Motor Speedway has apparently fallen through its web of lies and misrepresentations. Good news that too.

Jim Thibert's Dream Marina may be built, although it will be a much scaled-down version of the once Trumpian Hoooge development that threatened to cut a wide swath into the scenic Niagara Parkway.

Geeze, will they ever get it right? As we watch precious wetlands and wildlife refuges fall to development, some wonder why coyotes and other wildlife are encroaching on residential areas. Hello? That's what happens when they're run out of their homes. Duh.

Wouldn't it be nice if local politicians and those who hand out building permits would just stop long enough to research and talk to people in the area before they rubber stamp some well-connected developer's plans. Just think of all the trouble that would have been avoided
had Martin listened to the people rather than his carpetbagger town planner regarding the Bay Beach Properties. But no, he didn't. Even when he almost lost his re-election by five votes (yeah, right) he didn't smarten up. Too far up the rears of developers to care what the people wanted - or didn't want. The Four Councillors, as they came to be known, are still involved in a lawsuit filed by the developer of the doomed twelve story tower at Bay Beach. The developer should really be suing the former town administration for misleading him into the mess.  

So, as I agonize over the mess in the US, my country of birth, I have to try to stay positive and remember that the fight to save Bay Beach has almost ended and the people are getting a park on the land fronting our only public beach in Crystal Beach. 

(I also have to snicker at those who were all in favour of the tower and who are now back-tracking on their support of it. Sometimes a little schadenfreude warms my heart.) 

Not a bad start for the year.

UPDATE: Anyone surprised that Sandy Annunziata is in the top five of regional councillors' spending? Sure does know how to work the gravy train. http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2018/01/17/the-most-and-least-expensive-regional-councillors

6 comments:

  1. There is a Council Meeting tomorrow regarding the Hazelwood Subdivision. The developer Knof Group wants the Planning Department to reconsider Environmental Impact Studies, they wanted to "break ground" last fall for the first row of townhouses.
    This significant woodland was last scoped in 2006. The draft plan got approval 11 days before the Regional Official Core Natural Heritage policy came into affect.
    The site is adjacent to important wetlands and is inside an International Important Bird Migration corridor. Even the NPCA recommended to the town to review approval. There have been already been several extensions requested by different applicants.

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  2. This could be the year when many of the deadbeats on both Councils, Municipal and Regional get the boot, by the voters . A group called " A Better Niagara" will be involved.

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    1. Here is a good news story where "A Better Niagara" is mentioned. There are people who are resisting and fighting against corruption in Niagara. Click HERE

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  3. so that's why Pessaro was questioning Annuziata at last Monday's Council Meeting. Pessaro was after Annunziata to tell how much of the taxpayer's money was used by the NPCA to sue a constituent who critized them. You got sued with taxpayer funds as well.
    Also Pessaro, I suspect had of course another motive, Annuziata may very well also run for mayor next time.

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    1. True that I was sued with taxpayer money. It is also been rumoured that Annunziata is going to run for mayor. Sounds like he's looking for an easier job for the future. I love that a local citizen is making waves in the power structure and winning. For too long, anyone who dares to go against the Old Boys Club was raked over the coals by the local press and the powers that be. Remember that phony lawsuit against The Four that was started by Tim Whitfield? Dismissed, but not before costing the guys a lot of money from their own pockets. They were finally reimbursed but they are still facing a lawsuit from the Molinaros over the failed Bay Beach condo tower fiasco. And that whole mess was the pride and joy of Mayor-by-five-votes Doug Martin. Sandy Annunziata, once a councillor, was one of the big supporters of the tower, although he was adamant that such a tower not be erected on the waterfront in his ward in Fort Erie. Remember also that Sandy tried to get the PC nod to run for MPP and lost. Then he tried to get the PC nod in the Welland riding. Almost made it but ultimately failed.So obviously looking to get a good spot at the public trough. Getting all that money from the region to travel back and forth to a radio gig in Toronto just isn't enough for him.

      As for Passero, he'd attend the opening of an envelope if he thought it would help his quest for mayor of Fort Erie. He's been stalking the mayor's job for years.

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  4. a little late but the october elections have booted out 2 of the biggest problems to a progressive smart town that includes the best interests to all the people, not just the well connected insiders club that screws this town over and over for their own pocketbooks.....can't wait for the new regional councillor and ward 2 rep to take over. Marie Noyes and the battered but not beaten, councillor for Crystal Beach should put some brakes on the ol boys club for the next 4 years, leaving it up to the new rep for ward 2 to decide if he wants to do right by the town or just knuckle under to the way things have always been around here. Certainly the reps for both ward 3 and 4 will only continue to look out for themselves and whatever advantages that comes their way....

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