Well it's official. Martin will not seek reelection. Someone owes me a cup of coffee.
Wayne Redekop will announce his intention to run for mayor on Tuesday. He was mayor for two terms just prior to Martin who served for eight years.
Redekop has come firmly against the development of the South side of the Bay Beach Properties. He remembers how the people united in 2003 to put a stop to a potential sale of the North portion to fund a part of the Friendship Trail.
I will take your bet Madam Editor.....dirty dougie will try again if only tp get paid on all his so called hard work for his Bay Beach Bonus. Gotta top up that retirement fund you know. If nothing else his arrogance and ego will demand it to say nothing of his scuzbag supporters he champions.
ReplyDeleteI will pull for Richard. He is rough around the edges but calls a spade a spade and will go guns blazing to clean up our expensive, bloated, over paid under worked, nepotism filled non accountable mess that calls itself town hall. Just keep the town workers away from the ballot boxes and he has a fair chance. As for Wayne he already had his try at it.
Stevie will not run against his scuzbag mentor as there are only so many dark side supporters in town and dirty dougie has senority. Sucks to be you Stevie.
Large coffee on me if I'm wrong in CB with any of the 4 current truth seekers, champions of the democratic process and protectors of the publics purse if you like. Oh did I miss.....dam fine men.
NO COFFEE NEEDED, THE PREDICTIONS LOOK EVEN BETTER THAN ONE COULD HAVE HOPED FOR.
ReplyDeleteWayne Redekop who is a lawyer by trade, voted to allow sewer extensions and house to be built, in contravention of an OMB ruling banning the Town from doing just that, which caused thousands of gallons of raw sewage to be dumped into Black Creek. The OMB says that their rulings are binding.!!! This is Fort Erie we don't abide by any Ontario Rulings.
ReplyDeleteI guess it is time to re write history, Redekop for the last 7 years showed up at council only once asking that the property not be developed. That was the only thing he did for 7 years for Crystal Beach, he never showed up for the beach rally, he never went around asking for signatures on a petition, didn't help with fun raising or contributed to my knowledge in any real way. Now that he wants Crystal Beach in his corner suddenly he is the one we should support. Where was he when we needed him and his influence to help us fight. Yes we won, we stopped the condo but he deserves no credit. If he is elected do you really think he is going to stick his neck out for Crystal Beach, he will let Councillor Lubberts do all the heavy lifting and stay neutral, until he sees which way the wind blows.
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Redekop plans to announce his candidacy at 7:00 p m at the Italia hall. There will be many there to ask specific questions of him. He is a politician who has made many judgments that were harmful to the people of Fort Erie. He is also very smart. If he doesn't answer the questions to the satisfaction of the people, he will not be supported for mayor. Many local people had their eyes opened through the fight to save the beachfront property at Bay Beach.
DeleteFact Checker, you missed or forgot that Wayne Redekop testified at the OMB hearing for Eric Gillespie as past Mayor. Wayne's testimony should have carried the most clout over the Molinaro's and Town's witnesses. They only had Winnie Swalm and Peter K. who swore he had no personal interest in the restaurant in the condo. Winnie thought the condo would have a beautiful profile against the blue sky. What credentials did either of them have?
ReplyDeleteWayne pointed out how valuable volunteers are to a community, and that the community should be listened to. He also explained that the condo should not be constructed on the public waterfront and that it isn't a tourist attraction.
The rest is history, the OMB regularly favours developers with the concept of Urban Intensification.
But on a public waterfront, stupid idea.
I didn't know he testified at the OMB hearing , but he had ample opportunity to help out and show his support our fight against the condo which he did not do. Maybe if he did use his influence earlier in the process there would not have been the need for the OMB hearing.
ReplyDeleteI think the plan to develop the Bay Beach Properties was in the works long before it was presented to the public. Redekop had his "come to Jesus" moment long after the plan was hatched. Remember, he does represent a lot of waterfront property owners and heard their concerns. He also remembered the demands of people in 2003 who elected Tom Lewis to council because there was a movement to sell the North side of the Bay Beach Properties. Redekop did vote in favour of the Crystal Beach Neighborhood Plan in 2005 which had height limits on buildings and kept the Bay Beach Properties in public hands.
DeleteWinnie also had a personal interest in the Molinaro Development because she planned to buy one of the condos, and was it two penthouse ones for Peter?
ReplyDeleteShe would have been the only one I know of who could afford to Retire in Place as the project initially was promoted. Problem was the cost and who would want to live over a public beach let alone a public washroom? Or was the public to get pushed off eventually anyway?
Regardless of the back and forth about Red Cop, watch out for that boot licking lap dog of Martins, Passero and his clones at the Chamber, money, secret agendas, and back room deals may well become the namesake of this next election. Remember enemies stab you in the back, friends stab you in the front.(OW)
ReplyDeleteLOL. We were laughing at the Chamber the other day. One past president (Stephen) has no active business, while another's business went bankrupt. Great spokesmen for the chamber. Along with their Jim Thibert cheerleaders Marina Butler and Kim Zanko, what could possibly go wrong?
DeleteMost of the problems here are the direct result of some opportunist or groups thereof, trying to bugger up the greater good for a few pennies in their personal bank accounts. Hence the whole attempted rape of Bay Beach. it has had one good effect, as many of these opportunists / community rapists have identified themselves quite plainly and in some cases proudly, for all to see.
ReplyDeleteREMEMBER THEM!!
They will try all of this again whenever or whatever the opportunity may be. It's in their sadly lacking moral characters to FEED their GREED and to hell with the rest of the town.
In future there may be further attempts to build this condo somewhere in town. Maybe within walking distance of shops and restaurants, maybe along Garrison. The building per say as we remember was not the issue, it was and will remain the location. Look at that fileing cabinet style highrise that was built just east of the Zellers mall. Maybe they could still go with the idea of nameing the "suites" after the attractions at the old amusement park. I can hear it now. "So, youre the clowns that bought the funhouse suite down on level 2. Is that the one with the pink ceilings and the curved mirrors?" What a selling point. Must have been some input from townies on that one, as I dont think those vultures, the moollies would come up with that one on their own.
ReplyDeleteI think Wayne is actually a great choice for all of Fort Erie right now. We have be come so divided that lets face it nobody wants to work with us, and the few developers that are were already here were already all in and at the point of no return
ReplyDeleteWhat Fort Erie needs now is someone that can unite us all, and I think Wayne has that ability.
He is obviously more on the conservative side when it comes to development etc and that can be a good thin because it helps in the fact that he will take time to listen to both sides and allow both sides to be heard fairly.
Further to that he has experience and that is something we need that as well at this point as we try to climb back out of this dark hole we are in and put the respect factor back into the name of this town we all live in.
I am definitely not a fan of Richard or Stephen. One is far too radical for my tastes and comes with a lot of ugly baggage, and the other is too young, too inexperienced, too greedy, and is in it for himself more than anything.
Wayne is also a lawyer and that also bodes well for us. So that coupled with his past experience and his somewhat conservative side and the fact people on "Both Sides" can see benefit from him leading us makes him the right choice in my mind. Neither side may get everything on their wish list but we also need to be respectful of that fact that the ultimate goal is not for either side to "Win" but rather that The Municipality of Fort Erie as a whole wins, and when that happens, we all win
So true 4 Fort, Wayne is probly the best choice, that being said, we see what a divided council creates in terms of poor performance. I swear, even with Mother Teresea as mayor little or nothing of any substance can get done, (sometimes in a good way, that monument to Sadam Martin being shelved at Bay Beach for example). Without a council that can work together for the good of the whole area the Mayors position carrys some weight, but not enough to turn this drifting ship with its moraly corrupt crew.
ReplyDeleteYou make some good points "4Fort Erie``....that said Wayne has a poor record of fiscal responsibility and we need desperately need a large dose of Buckleys at town hall that Richard can deliver. He is not as polished as Wayne nor as slick. You know what Richard stands for.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with your point on a town divided. Dirtry dougie can be thanked for ripping this town in 2, in his drive to top up his retirement fund through his 12 story monument to greed and graft on our last good public beach.
ANYONE other than martin is a step in a far better direction!!
Agree with C Fighter, well put. Dont like to send people over to read the "10 year olds with hoodies site" however it has the tone of a script from SNL, (which maybe it is). This buttkissing diatribe compares Mayor Drug Martin to Abe Lincoln, if you can believe it!!! It continues to suggest its not what you accomplish but what you try to do (and fail) that really matters!! No wonder this place is in such a divided state, with that line of backward thinking. They only seem to take their foot out of their collective mouths to put the other one in. The ninjas have "eyes everywhere"!!! like old potatoes I guess. Maybe it should be called the Mr. Potatoe Head website. With that line of thinking it would actually give them more credability.
ReplyDeleteI was trying to check out the new guy running for Ward 5, Mark Wilkie who seemed like a decent person that is interested in what others think. So far what I found out about Mr. Wilkie is that the " Potatoe Heads " and I see they already have it out him! So I guess my 1st impressions are right again! Good luck Mr. Wilkie and watch your back from the " Potatoe Heads " who think they know what is better for all of us!
DeleteMark Wilkie made a statement on Facebook where he wondered why so much public money was going to prop up the race track. He thought it should be able to stand on its own. Since then he is on the Jarvis Street Irregulars H8 List. Don't know anything about the man, but I do agree with him about the race track.
ReplyDeleteThe only way some limpminded fool could come up with that "goodbye Mister Chips" bullsnot is if Martin (a Martin, by the way, is a member of the Weasel family) knows who is behind those writings, and they know it, probly have friends and/or family working for the town and need to keep those lips close to those bumcheeks for continued employment. Moral corruption runs its course. As well when they put a spark to the neckbolts of the monster running the Ec. Dev. they were probly too dopey to realize once you set that creature free its going to be difficult to rein in. Like JT said himself "just try to get rid of me..." A fine example of fiscal ineptitude. $500,000 to the track, $100,000 plus right off the top, 20%!!! to the bagman. This has to stop and the next election could be the place to begin.
ReplyDeleteI understand your contempt for Doug, but we must now realize that he is no longer going to be part of the picture, and in order for us to heal and come together as a community we must ALL just flush what has happened and begin with a clean slate and a fresh open mind.
ReplyDeleteThe people of Fort Erie will have their say come election day and as a first step we must give the respect given to those who have put their name forward and have become elected thru the will of the majority, and that regardless of whether your candidate wins, his candidate wins, my candidate wins, once elected it no longer matters for that is now the people that this town have entrusted to make the important decisions and we must also understand that although we may not like each and every decision made, we need to be respectful of it because wel all have different thoughts and opinions and we are not always right, none of us..well except me ! lol..just kidding
The point is come October it is a fresh start and we can no longer dwell on it, but rather look to move forward and prosper with a new breath of fresh air in council chambers
If we do not then we will NEVER move past this point and begin the healing process.
My contempt for Doug has to do with the way he treated those who were in opposition to his agenda. No man who talks about his "integrity" while orchestrating a malicious lawsuit against four councillors has any right to claim that title. The arrogance is astonishing. Remember always that he won his re-election by only five votes. And remember there was a "problem" at one voting place.
DeleteHow about we wait to see who puts their name in for mayor before we pick and choose. Redekop comes with baggage he was the mayor during the "slot bonanza" and what do we have to show with the millions of dollars spent???
ReplyDeleteWe already have a lawyer on council Mr. Teal ( regional) how has that helped Fort Erie?? Again where was Redekop the last 7.5 years with the exception of one OMB hearing and one council presentation. I hope this web site rises above the "we will tell you what is good for you", and "who to vote for" etc. treating us like mindless puppets. Unfortunately it appears to be going that way even before the we know the candidates. I have already been approached by someone connected with the FOCB warning me that the sky is going fall and we are all going to die " if we don't follow this person decree and vote for Redekop. Just to let you know I have a brain and I am planning on using it.
I'm not ready to suggest anyone vote for Redekop. I too remember the hiring frenzy with bingo money. Lots of conflicts had to be declared because of his law practice. So far, he is the best of the names being floated around. That's really not a ringing endorsement.
ReplyDeleteGreat!! Now we have "Not Mindless" the "voice of reason" telling us "I have a brain and im planning to use it". I guess we all better polish up on our ability to speak "Bumper Sticker" before the next election. Among other things, we have the rail to trail, paved, (although I didnt agree at the end spending $800 per meter through Waverly Park, when I mentioned it someone said "whats a meter?.) A return of the slots for the gamblers is often brought up,so thats a good point for sure. We need responsable LEADERSHIP, not the status quo. (Hows that for "bumpersticker"). Its still possible, I have a ballot and I know how to use it.
ReplyDeleteThis election is developing into the PERFECT STORM.
ReplyDeleteLet's face it, Redekop will be Shoe In. Richard Berry will have another bout of health problems and bow out. Ann Marie Noyse, if she still has aspirations of becoming mayor will realize that with Redekop running running she will have no chance. I suspect she earnestly wants to be on council again and wil likely throw one of the four "under the bus".
Unlike you Sharon, I know Mark Wilkie and his wife. I would like to caution Mark on his Pre - Authorized campaigning. Today he posted " I wasn't planning on doing any campaigning today, but I did finish all my chores early so I decided that I would go for a bicycle ride out to the Point Abino Lighthouse." Mark, remember that politics is a dirty business, if you let it be that way. Would the next "Pre- Inauguration" meeting be at Blinds Plus the October rather than at Crystal Beach suckers.
Not unlike Bob Steckley, you were a prominent volunteer of the Ridgeway Summer Festival. Bob turned his back on that event ..... can we expect the same from you?
POLITICS CHANGES PEOPLE FROM CARING TO ..... I DON'T KNOW ....... HUGE EGOS THINKING THAT THEY WILL CHANGE THE WORLD, CHANGE THIS LITTLE TOWN, THEN GET CAUGHT UP IN YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, I WILL VOTE FOR YOU.
THINK ABOUT IT MARK. I ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU WERE ABOVE POLITICS AND SUPPORTED THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE YOU KNEW WORKING HARD FOR EVENTS LIKE THE RIDGEWAY SUMMER FESTIVAL WAS THE IMPORTANT STUFF. SURE ...... GO INTO POLITICS, AND GUESS WHAT ...... YOU WILL NEVER BE HAPPY AGAIN.
Reaction to Mayor Martins retirement rant. Singing overheard from a property near Bay Beach, "Ding Dong the Mayor is done, the wicked mayor, the wicked mayor, ding dong the wicked mayor is done" It seemed to be some brightly dressed, very short people with squeeky vioces. Looked familiar in some surreal way.
ReplyDeleteI thought this day would never come and am surprised at my reaction. I should be elated as 3 plus decades of dirty doug slurping at the public trough and screwing the town for his own purposes are ending but the reaction is one of disbelief and numbness that he is riding off (scott free) into the sunset.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the statute of limitations on political crime one wonders and can he be nailed after the fact or will he be allowed to retire in peace like McGuinty and his billion dollar theft. Let bygones be bygones my ass, if he can be made to pay, make him. I would suspect he will finish his days trying to clean up his stinking legacy(ripping a town in 2 for starters) and taking cheap shots at anyone who has opposed his self serving agendas.
I will gladly honour my debt Madam Editor and if all it takes is coffee to get rid off one of FE`s largest stains, I wonder what will happen if I throw in dougnuts as well.
" political crime " ..... been waiting for that one. Definitely slander.
ReplyDeleteah its dougies lap dog, does your master know youre off your leash......
Deletesorry, I guess I jumped the gun, political crime isnt slander, my ginch was giving me trouble
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