"I am the general manager of the Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism Corporation and the Chief Operating Officer of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium. I have been involved in the potential sale of the Fort Erie Racetrack property currently owned by Nordic Gaming to David Kompson."
As some might know, David Kompson is a well-known developer who is interested in buying the racetrack property - all except a parcel of 14.31 acres on Industrial Drive. Jim Thibert, in his capacity as head of the EDTC and the racetrack is going beyond the scope of his authority and it trying to broker a side deal with a potential buyer of the race track.
UPDATE: It has been rumoured that the deal is off the table for the potential sale of the piece on Industrial Drive. Now Thibert is trying to convince council to buy two other parcels, considered to be wetlands near the track. Cannot confirm this but it may come up in Monday's Council in Committee Meeting.
Isn't that a conflict of interest in itself? In true Thibert style, he goes on the attack against the very thing he might be guilty of. In order to take attention away from his possible conflict, he misdirects attention to Don Lubberts whose employer may have done business with Kompson in the past.
Why is the EDTC/FELRC involved in this sale anyway? Since when does the EDTC/FELRC enter into negotiations on behalf of Nordic? It doesn't. It wants to make the deal easier by bonusing-er-helping the possible purchaser. Why would it be a conflict of interest for Don Lubberts to participate in a discussion about the feasibility of bonusing/helping the sale when the man presenting the option does not even have the authority to do so? Just who is he representing anyway? Hard to figure out, yet he seems to know a conflict when he sees one - except the one staring at him in the mirror.
One thing that must be done by whomever becomes the next leader of this community is the repatriation of the EDTC back to town hall as a department, answerable to council.
This may well be the last year for the Fort Erie Race Track. Does anyone think that Kathleen Wynne will throw money at a losing proposition after the way she was treated by certain town officials? I would bet that David Kompson has his own reasons for wanting to just buy the land that is useable for development. He is not interested in the wetlands or the industrial lands in the package. He wants only what can be developed. Can't blame him. Race track land is highly suitable for development, maybe even a gated community. LOL
Further Update from Way-back Machine.
Back in 2013, the Fort Erie Race Track was once again up for sale. This is a quote from Thibert in the Horse-Canada site:
“It’s my job to do something with that property regardless,” he explained. “It is developable land convenient to the Queen Elizabeth Way and is across the Niagara River from the United States. However, it is also easier to keep what is currently there than to find a new investor to purchase it…. I’ve tried to get someone to come in and buy the property, let us keep the track running, and use that as a major attraction.”
It looks like Thibert is merely looking for a finder's fee from someone, anyone who wants to buy the property. This statement infers that, even over a year ago when the track looked like it would close for good. Another massive infusion of money from the province saved it as it was this year. Certainly would like to know the attendance figures on this year's meet. Purses look pretty grim that's for sure.
I for one would welcome the building of anything on the race track land, as long as they tear down the old and tired grand stands and barns there now. Just the savings in government monies and wasted town dollars is going to be for the common good.
ReplyDeleteAs far as T-Bird goes, could care less that he stays or goes, but the stories I could tell about him and his antics around town.
So how is that applying for Canadian Citizenship thingy going?
ReplyDeleteWorking on it.
DeleteSure
ReplyDeleteThank you for your interest, Ruth. I have all the paperwork. Must have picture taken and send in with $200. Got lots of bills to pay first.
DeleteNo one wants to touch the Mad Dog Mr. T. story, real estate, one notch above ex con roofers, one notch below used car salesmen. Things that go on in that business, if in the Securitys trade would send someone to jail for misreprestation, as a good friend once told us ,"I had to quit, I just couldnt lie like that anymore"
ReplyDeleteSo if I read things right, PK and Steve Boyd are becoming the NIMBYS of Bay Beach now, and I'm sure the rest of the loony ten will follow, as they are complaining about a private land sale and its subsequent housing development.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that they want development but only if it is high rise buildings all along Abino Bay.
What a twist this is!!
Jimmy dirt bag does 1 job and gets paid for 2.
ReplyDeleteNa no conflict whatsoever as head of a corporation that is supposed to promote the whole town not just his other business. Conflict rules dont apply to to ol dirt bag but he sure likes to make sure every else plays by them to the highest standards, EXCEPT HIMSELF and then has the balls to use our PUBLIC $$ to sue others.
FIRE HIS USELESS VERY EXPENSIVE ARROGANT ASS !!! he has cost this town millions for almost no gain. Dirty Dougie n Jimmie dirt bag , Fort Erie`s mesed up dynamic duo, screwing us all for their benefit.
Yup, just checked. Full Moon !!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a full moon when Thibert made his sworn statement referenced above. Was he lying? Do tell. Pay attention to the words in quotations. Directly from his sworn affidavit.
DeleteBUT ...... there is a Full Moon when CorruptionFighter made the post and you accepted it. That post is extremely slanderous.
ReplyDeleteI know you LOVE to relish in the fact that you were sued for slander, and through leniency, you were absolved of any financial responsibilities. But were directed by a judge to cease and desist any further slanderous comments or accepting posts of the same nature towards Jim Thibert. A directive that you seem to laugh off as trivial.
And to CorruptionFighter ...... you need some professional help.
It's not slander if it's the truth. My problem was that I did not have the where-for-all (TM Rick Shular) to prove it. Since then, many have realized the truth about Thibert.
DeleteSandy Annunciata is back and making an announcement to run and save all of Fort Erie,,,,but for what???We could be looking at a four way race for Mayor just to keep the election very interesting. I wonder if he ever regretted "saving" the coal docks from development. As the proposed gateway to Jarvis they remain an eyesore and of no asset to the Downtown area.
ReplyDeleteTHIS was posted on the site administered by Boyd:
DeleteDale Carter "I'm glad we were able to rezone the Coal Docks property from a nine story Condominium **to open space**, which shows the critical importance of this site and our commitment to the historic downtown core. It lays the foundation for a vibrant, **public space** that will serve as a destination focal point and act as an important catalyst for downtown revitalization."
- Sandy Annunziata
7 hrs · Like
Sandy Annunziata Yes, that's right Dale. I did say that. When a private property owner, the Coal Docks property has always been privately owned, let's the Councillor know, "we will not be building residential units on that site, but in keeping with our mandate, we would like to have a public gathering space", I'm just glad myself and my fellow Councillors could help with the owners vision. Thanks for posting.
TRUTH SUCKS EH jIMMIE.......I KNOW WHY DONT YOU USE PUBLIC MONEY AGAIN TO SHUT US ALL UP! then yet again go to the town and ask for more $$ while you slander all the out of work here.....youre a real piece of work but i need the help.....yeah right Let me help you.....
ReplyDeleteLEAVE GO FIND ANOTHER SUCKER TO EXPLOIT
The coal docks property is a little public space at the bottom of main street, not a bad thing to have in any town. There is so little of that sort of thing in the immediate area of Jarvis Street, except the empty lot next to the SVDP thrift store.Do people really want to look down to the bottom of their main street to a concrete wall of a building, with great waterfront views for the lucky few who live on the east side of this structure, and nothing for the rest?? Wasnt that an issue pertaining to the Bay Beach condo project?? Its sure no eyesore except to someone who wants to build something for some percieved short term profit. I hope that land stays public. In some places the "coal docks" would be considered a historic site and be protected, especially in that prime location, at the bottom of the main street. True, it could use some tables, an maybe a covered shelter or 2, (hopefully not like the one 1000 feet south, where it looks like someone forgot to finish putting on the roof), but more like what they put in Ridgeway, only bigger, or maybe more than one. If SA stopped that giveaway, good for him.
ReplyDeleteYet Sandy voted to give away Crystal Beach's own public space that serves the same purpose as The Coal Docks. Sandy voted in the best interest of his constituents. He did not vote for the people when he voted to go ahead with the Molinaro Plan.
DeleteAnnunziata when he approved the Bay Beach Condo deal to GIVE the property to a Developer, Quote - "product before procedure " what the hell was that supposed to mean?
DeleteForgot about that one. Should be his campaign slogan.
DeleteMaybe Carl can explain what that it means?
DeleteBe interesting to ask him why he would protect public riverfront from development but not public lakefront. From what I hear we may be able to ask him that very question if he runs for office. Im sure he knows but I wouldnt expect a clear answer would be forthcoming. On that note, wasnt there a plan to build some sort of multi residence on a lot after demolition, facing Waverly Beach park at Edgemere and Kraft Roads? Someone in the planning department come to their senses?
ReplyDeleteAnd when Sandy Annunziatta was confronted at the Statement of Claim Hearing in Toronto while he was waiting to join the mayor for lunch, he had the nerve to say in front of a lot of people that, he was IMPARTIAL.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, he wasn't IMPARTIAL because he voted with Lockwood, Whitfield and martin, for a 4 TO 3 MAJORITY VOTE to proceed with the Molinaro 12 storey condo on OUR small PUBLIC BEACHFRONT PROPERTY.
Sandy plans an "announcement" next week, so he's reminding people of his "accomplishments" in his one term on council. I would like to ask him about the Coal Docks. Has the property undergone remediation as per the Ministry of Natural resources? Someone should ask him why he voted to keep the Coal Docks undeveloped (it was already zoned for up to nine stories) yet he voted to change the zoning at the Bay Beach Properties to allow up to a twelve story condo or two.
ReplyDeleteWhat a flaming hypocrite. I still remember overhearing him say (in the corridor outside the Superior Court in Toronto) that he was "impartial" regarding the Bay Beach issue. WTF? Did Sandy take too many head shots when he was playing football?
He certainly is forgetful or is not aware that there are public records. Other than his one undistinguished term on Fort Erie Council, he has lost his other attempts to return to elected office.
Wouldnt some of that voting record suggest someone knew that an18 story box along the river would water down the marketability of an 87 unit development on Bay Beach?? Too much condo "product" (as its called in the business) coming onto the market at the same time?? It would seem maybe SA knew (along with his associates) what side of the bread the butter was on, and it wasnt on the Jarvis St. side?? How else can someone explain such a lopsided voting record?
ReplyDeleteYet another amazing day in Crystal Beach! The Memories of Crystal Beach Park at Queen's Circle was a resounding success thanks to Friends of Crystal Beach and the Crystal Beach Business Improvement Association sponsoring the event. Rick Doan and Paul Kassay pulled off a wonderful event marking the 25th anniversary of the closing of the Crystal Beach Amusement Park. The park operated for 100 years.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow night is the first Waterfront Concert Series organized by The Friends of Crystal Beach. The Toronto All-Star Big Band is always a crowd favourite. The concerts are free, a donation is welcome to defray costs. The big show starts at 7p.m.
Sure hope the predicted rain doesn't hamper the Waterfront Park concert.
Delete