Busy morning in Ridgeway/Crystal Beach. Lots of garage sales. Went to the annual one at the Crystal Beach Tennins and Yacht Club and it did not disappoint. Hot though. Sat in the car waiting for my Garage Sale Buddy and saw what looked to me like Steve Boyd cleaning up his parking lot along Erie Road. From what has been rumoured, it looks as though the lot has been bought by the CBTYC and the Hill Cottage Association. Doubt it it will remain a parking lot for beach goers. Looks like Steve will be out of another job.
Lately, I have been harassed by Royal Greer (you know him; everyone has a Royal Greer story of this local crazyman.) He follows me and may even be responsible for vandalism to my car. I confronted him in Joe's the other day and he ran out like a scared little girl. Very satisfying.
The Letter to the Editor in the Fort Erie Times (still shocked that it was printed) was enlightening, yet sad and predictable. There's that name again: Ed Lenchyshyn, who has openly bragged that he can get "anything he wants in Fort Erie, if .... (fill in the blank)," going against an OMB ruling and the will of the neighbours down by the Old Fort. Mayor Martin told her there was nothing he could do. Such a leader! How can he go against a loyal campaign donor like Lenchyshyn? Problems again in the Planning Department. Starting to sound like a familiar refrain lately? And here we thought we were rid of an incompetent town planner. Shular is the lady's councillor. That "grizzled veteran" Rick Shular is looked upon by bootlicking writer James Culic as the voice of reason on Council. Sure, once Rick can get past the Malapropisms and tired old cliches, he's a real master debater. Oy Veh.
Meanwhile, I sit on some explosive stories, such as Jim Thibert's manipulation and orchestration of the lawsuits against the four councillors and the other one against Don Lubberts. Of course, the hope is that the decision will not come through until after the election but the damage done to their reputations will ruin their chances for re-election. Too bad that the grizzled veteran and Eddie Haskell served up Jim Thibert in their cross-examinations in the case. Under oath, they admitted that Jim Thibert put the whole lawsuit together and told them what to do, which included revealing information about what happened in closed door meetings.
Editor's Note: I look forward to Jim Thibert suing me again with public tax dollars. Then he will be forced to enter the testimony in court and he certainly doesn't want that to happen.
Culic could add to that nomination, most backpedeling employee ever. The publisher that hired this sincophant knows they have a potential freak of the week, sort of a Rob Ford of small town publishing. Wind him up and watch him go. Saying people that offer their free time suckers, using Dr. Dube's name as a joke when refirring to the effort to get a medmar production facility established here. At least his employers will keep him on a short if somewhat amusing leash. If they had a funnys page in this lame excuse for a newspaper Culic could be the lead draw. Is this guy related to Norman Bates? His photo sure looks like the guy from that Hitchcock film.
ReplyDeleteCulic knows the difference between what he often writes and good journalism. His column is presented as news reporting but it is often an opinion piece. His disdain for Steckley,Hill,Lubberts and Collard is apparent in all his articles. Maybe he's another Cloutier. Sad. The two major newspapers in town need a large dose of fairness in their editorial policy. Be prepared: it's going to get a lot worse as the election draws near. This was the closest the town has come to an end to the many abuses of power by people like Jim Thibert and Doug Martin. They are very angry that their plans were disrupted by a couple of upstarts on council who were voted in by people fed up with the way things are run at town hall. This week's letter to the editor shows exactly what is wrong with this town.
ReplyDeleteInteresting letter to the editor if true. I wonder if we are the only ones that experience problems with their planning departments? what about next to us in Niagara Falls or Port Colborne? There is a lot of development in Niagara Falls, I wonder if their department has these problems too?
ReplyDeleteMr. Ed has had similar "problems" in other communities. He just goes to the OMB and gets his way. Here's some of his other triumphs: townhouses on Hibbard too close to the road; (mistake in planning department); proposed townhouses on Rebstock that are too close to the road and have inadequate roads for garbage trucks and emergency vehicles to maneuver. There are others but these are the latest.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing happened today. Received a phone book from Bell. Cover is a full colour picture of the Point Abino Lighthouse. LOL. Guess someone at Bell thought the lighthouse was an icon for Fort Erie. Wonder how they got the picture since the lighthouse is so "inaccessible.". The coverage of the Friendship Festival reports that the crowds are smaller. The only thing that seems to be a draw are the rides so grandmothers can watch the kids having fun. The Friendship Festival has never been the same since it was moved to the race track for a couple of years. The move also ruined the Loch Sloy Games several years ago. Such stupidity. And that was long before The Four. Took a brave move by Tom Lewis, then Ward 5 councillor to force the move back. BTW, Tom is now executive administrator to the assistant Minister of the Environment at Queen's Park. Long title; big job. Congrats to him.
ReplyDeleteTOWN STAFF MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!!
ReplyDeletethe town hall culture here needs a massive shake up that only Richard Berry has the stones to do. You want this to stop, go to the source. Wayne Redekop had many years to change things and only greatly increased the size and cost of town hall. (That said I will take him over dirty doug and his thugs any day)
Had a good laugh at comments by Peter K., Dan Stugar, and Lesley North in an article about Bob Steckley's announcement that he has registered to run for Regional Council. Predictably, they took cheap shots and called him names. Just like he said in the article as the reason some are reluctant to run for office. Facebook Flunkies, like Peter and his little pack of people-who-act-like-eighth-graders apparently have nothing better to do than to troll and comment on Facebook. Meanwhile, I'm waiting for them to come to the realization that the plan to destroy the four councillors is about to be revealed and they can thank Rick Shular for letting the cat out of the bag under cross-examination in the COI case.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the Pt. Abino lighthouse, most people dont agree with the restrictive gate just past the marina, in fact many would like to see it go and make that road public again. (how thatever happened is the topic for some other posting). Sure dont agree with it. That being said, can you imagine the traffic, loud motorcycles, yahoos and other assorted unpleasentness that would gather at the end of that road on a hot summer night?? Hate to say it but sometimes we can see the point. But a more user friendly policy might be warrented. And selling tickets to ride like cattle out to a tax funded historic site for a few minuites isnt it. Any input on how this could be fixed?
ReplyDeletePlease Sharon ..... you have been calling people names for YEARS !!!!
ReplyDeleteYes I have! You will also notice that my remarks are on MY blog mostly, not in response to mainstream news stories as the Jarvis Street Irregulars do. The only time you'll see my remarks on mainstream media is to point out others' nasty remarks. MY blog is an entirely different situation. One goes to it voluntarily. I write as I please even though I have been sued for slander. Your guys are lucky that someone hasn't sued them yet. Probably that, unlike, Jim Thibert, they do not have access to taxpayer money to do it.
DeleteI've seen your comments on other media sites like in response to editorials and opinions. But you are correct when you say " my remarks are on MY blog MOSTLY", so don't play that innocent card.
ReplyDeleteEd , has built houses in the Stevensville area, with the consent of the planning department and Wayne Redefop , Rick Shuler, Paul Fell, et al, When the OMB clearly said that he was nor allowed to extend the sewer lines , as the pipes in Stevensville were 8 inch pipes and could not accomodate increased sewage, I spoke out at Council and told them they were breaking an OMB aggreement, they do not care, result thousands of gallons of raw sewage dumped into the Black Creek, at the end of Main Street and also in Douglastown. ( Rulings of the OMB are binding) that is what their brochures say. Not in Fort Erie, Ed has paid those crooks off.
ReplyDeleteRemember when someone points a finger theres 3 fingers pointing back at them.
ReplyDeleteHuh? Well, the gang from Jarvis is so busy putting everyone else down that they fail to see the dire straits their end of town is in. They're all in a dither about the BIA manager losing her job. Considering that nothing much is happening in Bridgeburg, it's no wonder her job was eliminated. Heard she spent most of her time in the Coffee Culture anyway. I have to laugh that Peter and his gang are all upset that Stephen Passero may have orchestrated her departure. Odd, isn't it that Crystal Beach, Stevensville and Ridgeway are way ahead yet they have no office manager? Where are the volunteers? Where is the community spirit? All that has gone on for the past decade is a lot of infighting and ridiculous behavior. When Peter and his gang spearhead improvements and get crowds coming back to Jarvis Street, I'll listen to their complaints about the people and councilors of the other areas.
DeleteIt seems like the Bburg BIA blows its whole load on a cheesy Santa parade usually in November, and thats it. Anything else? Not that I know of, if there is. One year they had that fat cretin riding a motorcycle. Wasnt that fun for the kids.
ReplyDeleteThis is how we do it in Port Colborne ..... no Bulls@*t blogs and whining.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wellandtribune.ca/2014/06/29/new-boardwalk-for-port-colbornes-pleasant-beach
You are right, William. But Port has a great mayor. Makes a big difference. He wouldn't try to give away public beachfront property to a high rise developer.
DeleteIthink I remember the santa on the motorcycle. The fools that organize this event even included a sign for some dealership on this bozo bike, like Christmas wasn't commercial enough yet. Where does the BIA get these ideas?? It made for a photo op for the Times ("newspaper"?), how low can you go...setting new lows in events reporting. What next, a racoon with garbage stuck on its head? Oh yah, that was last week. Its like some old rerun of the Bob Newhart show, where the small town rubes are actually funny. You remember Bob ran a hotel with a hot wife and a great variety of excentric characters. Bring back Suzanne the hot wife, the rest of those boneheads, stay home. Dave did anyone ever ask you, why cultivate on your face what grows wild on your ass??
ReplyDeleteI think we have a number of Larry,Darryl and Darryl types in town. LOL
DeleteDear Erica,
DeleteRe. Racoon
Thanks for making me laugh out loud!
Port Colborne's Mayor Badaway is as responsible and respectable as Fort Erie's Mayor Martin. But I know you wont agree with that, but that is the way that Fort Erie is viewed from beyond her borders.
ReplyDeleteThe CITY of Port Colborne with half the population of the TOWN of Fort Erie is represented on council by 2 Councillors for each of it's 4 wards. That ensures unbiased representation at council as opposed to your current council.
Give it a go, I mean that certainly ALL the residents of a ward cannot be in agreement with what a single Councillor presents.
Do, you want to pay for that, My taxes can't afford double the councillors, maybe we should have double the Mayors too!! Doug was the one that announced that the Town was closed!!
DeleteWilliam, I know many people that live outside of Fort Erie, throughout the Region, in Port Colborne too, and I have to totally disagree - Martin is laughed at by everyone that I talk to about stuff going on here, sorry. I do like their council set up though, that I will agree with.
ReplyDeleteI dont know what planet youre from Wiiliam, maybe Uranus as dirty dougie and this town is viewed as a bad joke all the way to Queens Park. Thats why we get all the help that we get....not. They stopped throwing money at us awhile ago for just this reason.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all CorruptionFighter ..... it is William ..... Not Wiiliam. And I live on planet earth ..... Not YOUR ANUS.
DeleteYour opinion is your own. My opinion is mine. If you want to saddle your mayor with all the destruction in your town .... go for it. Others opinions differ.
And this WILL be the last season for the race track because Wynne has already admitted that "the cupboard is bare." No more bail-outs for the track so that Jim Thibert can play Turf King.
ReplyDeleteWow, I was really expecting you to write on your blog today about Canada's celebrations happening all across this great country today. You had written in the last few months about obtaining your Canadian Citizenship and this would be a great day for you to discuss your feelings and why you wish to become a Canadian. Not trying to bash just want to know if you will write a piece and let us know how you spent your day.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I am very, very grateful to live in Canada. I have to say that I am often disappointed that many native-born Canadians take it for granted. Some don't even bother to vote. One thing I learned from my parents: voting is not just a tight; it is a duty. With that in mind, I want to be able to vote in the next municipal election I'm hoping to have my citizenship by then. The whole reson I started The Strand was because I saw an injustice done to the people who were once told that the Bay Beach Properties were bought so the people would have a parkland and parking along with the public beach. Thank God I live in a country that allows me to express my opinion openly without fear.
DeleteSo true on the voting issue. The saying goes "if you don't vote you can't complain". Hopefully others will take this day to express their thoughts on this great nation and put all the other stuff aside
DeleteIn 1967 the country was turning 100 years old, for a lot of people quite a land mark. For a while celebrations were based on this date, Even traveling in Europe when people asked about Canada we explained, 'its a very young country, 100 years old", still heavily influenced especially on the borders by the USA. They would nod and remember, the soviet influence on their countrys culture, (some of which had been a cultural entity for 1000 to 1800 years before that shadow, as they refirred to it). Being in a backward border town is no indication of how the rest of the country sees itself.
ReplyDeleteEVERY Nation can be a Great Nation. It's not the land within it's borders, not the sky above it, it's not the geographic location on earth. It is the people that inhabit it. I just happen to live in Canada, was born in Canada, and am forever greatful to my grandparents for making Canada our home. I am ..... polite, courteous, and proud ..... I am a CANADIAN. I am 64 years old, and still open doors for women and seniors, if I bump into someone in an aisle at a store, I will still say "I'm Sorry", even though it may not have been my fault. If I am wrong, I admit it, and if I am right, I will usually apologize for being right. Some people will view this as sign of weakness. That's their opinion. I view it as being a CANADIAN.
ReplyDeleteIt is dusk, and I just brought in our Canadian flag that honours our home each day. And I noticed that the winds that have ravaged the peninsula throughout the day have subsided, and my first thought was that perhaps the fireworks will be able to go off tonight.
ReplyDeleteSure it was a hot, humid, windy day, but there was a lot of Red and White shown and worn today. Not a coincidence, but rather as a tribute to our country, which we love.
But I did have a second thought ...... it was in hope that similar, or better weather graces the skies this coming weekend for the Fourth of July Celebrations of our friends / neighbours to the south.
Sharon, are you up to accepting this type of attitude? Otherwise, why would you want to be Canadian? Just so you can vote?
As I am writing this, I can hear the start of the fireworks. The children will be happy.
I have wanted to live in Canada since I was a little girl. My family had very close ties with Canada. My parents were married in St. Catharines; their best friends, Canadians, stood up for them. My godmother was Canadian. in university, my best friends were Canadian, I just seed to gravitate towards Canadians. My first serious boyfriend was Canadian. It seems I was destined to live in Canada. It was not easy to become a landed immigrant but I did it. Took several years. I feel at home here. I still worry and keep up with what is going on in the States, but I have no desire to go back except to visit. There is a lot of ugliness and hatred there now and I fear for its future. Too many people love their guns more than what is right. As far as my involvement in issues here, I don't like injustice. Never have. That is what spurred me go become a union organizer- a cpany union that allowed the firing of decent people just because they got sick or
ReplyDeleteSHARON ...... I am enthralled by your Canadian connections. Happy Canada Day !!!!
DeleteFirstly ..... don't apologize for your "fat fingers" on your subsequent post .... it happens. HEY ..... you apologized ..... you are half way to becoming a Canadian .... LOL.
I sadly agree with you on your concern for the ugliness, hatred and guns in America. It really hurts me to see such a noble country digress into such a respect for human life.
Sorry, I'm replying from my iPhone and I have fat fingers. Please excuse mistakes. Sometimes this thing won't let me correct my mistakes or it chooses the wrong word. Happy Canada Day everyone.
ReplyDeleteDo the people who read this blog , realize that in order to cut trees down , one has to have a permit , as some trees are considered worthy of leaving alone, this By-Law was enacted after a developer in Ridgway cut hundreds of trees without a permit and bulldozed them into a pile for burning, this outraged the residents of Ridgway that they asked the Town to fine developers that cut down good trees, they can be fined by the Town for cutting down trees without a permit, I bet my bottom that Ed. L. the pal of Doug Martin never got a fine. after all there is a Quid Pro Quo going on in our Greater Fort Erie , and $750 dollars in campaign donations talk very big here.
ReplyDeleteThe town is now so driven by a development mentality to be called an enviromentalist is to be sneered at like a shoplifter or someone that smells bad. Even that childish "nature" article in the paper was asked to alternate each week with military history. When nature calls, a slang term for using a toilet. What does that tell you about the respect for the natural enviroment. Earth Day, (one day a year, should be at least a month), is reduced to groups of people proudly picking up litter. A job thats usually done by town maintenance staff in most other places. The "boys" at the town yard must get a chuckle out of that one. Tree cutting is just the start of what is a real problem when it comes to awareness about the destructive habits we are seeing more and more of in this area.
ReplyDeleteI can see where James Culic's recent writings are problematical, but those of us who are very concerned with the still-possible arrival of the Canadian Motor Speedway (not really a Crystal Beach issue, more of concern to Thunder Bay, Crescent Town, Stevensville, North Fort Erie, Grand Island, etc.) remember well that he was the author, several years ago, of the only really truthful article published about CMS; the Fort Erie Post story about how the $30 million which the Speedway promoters said McMaster University would spend to put up an R&D centre at the Speedway had, in fact, already been spent on an automotive R&D centre in Hamilton. I sensed, especially when there was no followup, that he had gotten slapped down for this, and there has been nothing further from him of this nature, despite numerous opportunities. Now it turns out that there is a project in the works to improve the QEW Bowen Road interchange adjacent to the CMS site, and the Province plans to apportion the costs among the affected stakeholders, which is certain to include a Fort Erie Council (yes, including members of The Four)who still believes that there is going to be a McMaster satellite campus providing many dozens of permanent jobs at the Speedway (try googling this on the McMaster site and see if you can find any trace of it). We could use another James Culic to come along before a LOT of Town money gets spent chasing nonexistent Speedway jobs.
ReplyDeleteSharon , You have a big Maple Leaf for a heart, and your heart pumps pure Maple Syrup, you are like many non native born residents that live here , a credit to Canada. Happy Canada Day and Fourth of July . Have a super time this week.
ReplyDeleteDim Tim didnt even show his pale face in the House of Ontario Governance today in its first day of back to work, shame to this fool, guess he and Mike ran out of strange unbelieveable excuses to explain his spanking in the last election. Lets fire 100,000 people, then create 1,000,000 jobs, like serving hamburgers, One million served. What a silly fool, an example of what not to say. Its like he really didnt want the job but didnt have the juice to just say so. What a bit of history for this backward town homeboy drops the ball, could have been the preimer of a province larger than some countrys in Europe, leader of a party, now leader of a picnic table on a good day.
ReplyDeleteSign on Premier Wynn's desk; "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way!". Sign on Tims desk; "Better to be Thought a Fool, Than to Open Your Mouth and Remove All Doubt".
ReplyDelete