It's one thing to win an election by presenting a better platform and ideas. Another thing altogether when some win by way of a well-financed hit campaign that has gone on for years.
By this time next year, this will all have been forgotten - except by a few. The promises of a bright future for Fort Erie will be tarnished by the reality that governing, even in a small town, is a difficult thing to do and those who are elected to the task must be responsive, knowledgeable and accountable. The Four were held accountable for their every action; they were judged harshly by certain groups in the community; but they did not have the whereforall (™Rick Shular) to tell their side of the story. They did not have the money to put up a couple of billboards; they did not have the money to put out a slanderous flyer; they didn't have the money to file frivolous and vexatious lawsuits and they certainly didn't have the clout to turn the local press in their favour.
So the victors can enjoy their victories and promise that they will "work together" to bring jobs and revenue to the town through aggressive development and help to business. Good for them. They certainly have the Chamber of Commerce on their side. We can only hope that they will keep their lofty promises.
Let's see what they do with their mandate. Let's see if they are able to keep the next tax increase at a record low. Let's see if they deliver a 0% water bill increase. Let's see if they care enough about the people to protect the shoreline. You see, they have a tough act to follow. The voters didn't realize the good points of this council because they were misinformed and influenced by a very well-orchestrated campaign against The Four. But this council achieved a lot and they were met with resistance from the mayor and his flunkies every step of the way.
Meanwhile, we can take comfort in the fact that one of The Four made it through and the new mayor will not tolerate the kind of behaviour that has marked many a council meeting. We can also smile that Stephen Passero's dream of domination of the town has been derailed and his mentor, Doug Martin will finally go off the stage.
The three who lost will be fine. At some point, they will feel relieved that others will now feel the heat from a demanding electorate who never seem satisfied.
And, for the people of Fort Erie: let's hope that the new council lives up to its hype.
The Trick was played on the people of Fort Erie who were fooled into electing 4 newbies who have all played a roll in the character assassination of incumbent councillors.
ReplyDeleteThe Treat will be higher taxes, a runaway EDTC department, and anything the CoC wants their puppets to do.
Well, lets start looking at what was said during the campain. For the most part other than a few mumbled soundbites and bumpersticker style slogans were there any real solid points of agenda put forward? If so lets start listing what was said and hold the individuals to what thay said they "will do if elected". To be fair we dont remember anyone actually using the word "promise", although they might have. A clear summary of what was said, the words that got them elected, and the person who said what will be most usefull. Too often people cant even remember what someone stood for after they are voted in. We owe it to the readers of this blog and the other publications in this town (as slanted as they are) to make sure the reps on council keep their word, and make it loud and clear if they dont. A big part of the problems here are based in old fashioned dishonesty. Lets try to put the stop to such criminal nonsense, by doing what should have been done a long time ago.Holding reps accountable for their words,by following their actions.
ReplyDeleteThe "mindset" established by the CoC was simple.
ReplyDelete"Dump The 4 and all will be just dandy"
Anyone buying into that deserves exactly what these phonies are pitching.
Mr. Redekops "let's work together" mantra will fall upon some deaf ears, thick skulls and BIG MOUTHS
The new councillors will have to rely on the senior member of council, Rick Shular. They will be under his tuteledge, persay, as he goes through the gyrations of explaining the apples to oranges principle predicated on that is all he knows. Good luck with that.
ReplyDeletePoor Rick. Never had an original idea in his life. The parking spaces idea at Douglas Park, {' his one and only in four years}, he took credit for was given to him by a member of the Yellow Shirts when they were pissed at paid parking at the Hospital. Your repetition of his famous "repetitive" words was excellent,,,,you missed one of my least favorites.....due diligence .
DeletePublished numbers in the "Times" for voter turnout, 45%, if true not much better the the 42% last time around (if true). Would have expected a little better considering the number of candidates running and the range of faces,experience, and stated objectives. Not a new low but close to it. Going to need some sort of voters registration overhaul. Maybe tyed to a persons social insurance number or something? That drive (a few walk) to stand in line like cattle sure looks like one of the turnoffs to coming in to vote. Trouble is and will remain the people that can do the most to push reform foreward are already in office, why would they rock the boat?? (or some would say wack the hornets nest with a hockey stick while up on a 35 foot ladder??). Might get stung if every eligable voter had a vote counted.
ReplyDeleteIn Stevensville there was a lack of promises, not even any information from Knutt or Lockwood, Knutt and Lockwood did say at the one candidates night that they fully support the EDTC and the Chamber of Commerce,no details of promises at all , except the usual deal keep taxes low.nothing mentioned about the illegal building permits issued by Wayne Redekop to his campaign contributor Ed Lentyshyn of Park Lane Homes, or about the violation of a Judges order by Wayne Redekop to allow extensions to the existing sewer system paid for and put in by the Ministry of the Environment.,raw sewage is poured into the Black Creek via town sewage pumps every spring, these past 8 years., because the system is swamped with sewage.the very reason the MOE put the pipe system in, in the first place. Garth Drabinsky and Conrad Black lost the right to practise law, this past spring for breaking Ontario law.The Law Society of Upper Canada took their licence away.Wayne Redekop could lose his licence if found guilty, These votes to break the Judges ruling were registered votes , Anne Marie Noyes voted against that illegal Act, voted for Rick Shuler, Richard Berry, Paul Fell, Wayne Redekop, I would have to check newspaper clippings for the other name,,four different occasions, residents warned Wayne that the system could not sustain any more houses.Lawyers appear to know,far more than the Judge Chapman or the parade of engineers that testifed at the OMB hearings held in the City of Niagara Falls Oct 1980.Complaints about the risks of insuring these buildings in Stevensville area is before the Ontario Insurance Board, their is an ongoing investigation by the MOE.after complaints made to them.
ReplyDeleteRecommended listening: Desolation Row (from Highway 61 Revisited/Bob Dylan, for you youngsters). Ah me .......yet hope endures.
ReplyDeleteAs quoted in Bullet News, Chris Knutt was making transit in Stevensville his big priority. Paul Collard has been holding Transit Meetings to better his constituents needs. Chris Knutt has Not apparently attended any of them.
ReplyDeletePaul Collard may have been holding meetings but after 4 yrs at it you would think this would have been completed
ReplyDeleteClarification There was a plan that came forward but was going to cost $190,000 in the budget for a less than favourable schedule that was doomed to fail and council didn't have the fortitude to leave it in. The others, including staff thought it wasn't money well spent. The last open house held Jan 30 2014 had a reasonable turnout. Even the Regional Transit person here for his input.
DeleteSo, for Mr. Knutt there was a lot of work done, the groundwork laid but nobody willing to commit to a tax increase to pay for it.
I hope that Mr. Knutt succeeds in getting a decent transit service for Stevensville. I know it has been tried in the past and it failed. As a result, no one would want to move to Stevensville unless he or she has a vehicle.
This I agree with Ms Bowers, Although it may cost 190k I believe its all about leveraging our business properly. We are a small business and need to start acting accordingly. Most businesses do not last too long when they run out of money. Items such as the light house, trains, need to be self funding. Why should these " businesses recieve monies and the Town not recieve a ROI. I would rather have lower taxes and water bills then a light house I have never been too. I would rather have a job in town than work in St. Catharines. Im sure most of you would agree as well.
DeleteThree years from now I will decide to run for Mayor but the problem is Redekopp has done nothing wrong so he must be discreditied. I finance a frivolous lawsuit behind some dupe for misappropriation of funds against him Headlines and his picture posted on the front page"Mayor Sued" He loses the election to me because of it....Marina Butler has walked into that seat by this exact scenario and the voters didn't see past the ploy. You are getting what you deserve with the Chamber Maids.I hope Hill sues her BUTTler off.
ReplyDeleteWell played sir. Very well indeed.
DeleteThere was a conspiracy right from day one from the Build a Condo side and it worked all too well. Discredit the incumbants by any means possible! Right now Molinaro holds the big stick. Our Condo gets passed without objection by our now Condo friendly Council and our frivolous lawsuit goes away .The Chamber Chicks got elected by devious politics that many office seekers should take note of .Sue,,..its becoming the way of getting elected.
DeleteIt may take a Class action suit to stop the CoC crew.
DeleteI hope that our new Mayor takes the Molinaro's to court for suing the four councilors and the town of Fort Erie for double their ask. They should be banned from applying for any building permits anywhere in Fort Erie.
ReplyDelete