On another note, home sales are surging and new builds are happening all over Crystal Beach. All positive news. Restaurants are busy and so are the shops and stores along Erie Road. At least those that are open.
And this is where we get to the negatives, namely Gary Fraser and his band of "investors." If you see a building all boarded up, falling apart or unfinished, it probably belongs to one of the companies that Fraser, a convicted fraudster, is involved with. A lot of them are on Erie Road. One really bad eyesore is on Queen's Circle. Schooley Road house construction has been going on forever due to financial challenges by the builder, again associated with Gary Fraser. While the South Coast Marz Homes rush to completion, over a dozen already sold, the seven homes on Schooley, overpriced in the opinion of many, sit uncompleted and unsold in the height of the selling season. No one is against this type of development; it basically fits in to the character of the area, but empty, boarded up buildings in the main business core do not inspire confidence in the business climate of Crystal Beach. And this is because the investors have probably spread themselves too thin and are too busy acquiring other properties. Could be part of a huge Ponzi Scheme which is what Fraser tried to pull off before he was convicted and served time before.
Meanwhile, The Beach thrives. Volleyball on the beach and an all-day band festival yesterday brought more people to the area. This evening, the free Toronto All-Star Band Concert at Waterfront Park; and the End of Summer Parade on September 5, all sponsored by The Friends of Crystal Beach are sure to bring enjoyment.
Waterfront Park was brought to you by a group of dedicated citizens who worked hard to bring the idea to fruition despite push-back on many levels. Perseverance does pay off when the cause is right.
That's why people flock to Crystal Beach: perseverance on the part of some local heroes who fought to keep the Bay Beach Properties in public hands for all to enjoy without having to sneak by a twelve story condo tower to reach the public beach. And we still need those parking lots, not another building on Erie Road.
And we certainly don't need the likes of Gary Fraser in our midst. Either build it; renovate it; or sell it. Better yet: move out of town. Had enough of people plundering our little gem by the lake.
Business opportunity for some enterprising individual. Bicycle shop, sales, rentals, tune ups, trade ins, storage and repairs. In the spirit of the village and the people that enjoy a slower and quieter lifestyle. Could expand out into some equally peacefull money making side options such as organised group bike tours or "ride back" tours where clients are taken to a destination by truck with their bikes and they ride back to the starting point especially popular with familys from what we have seen in parts of the US and Mexico. Theres a nice swim at Bay, after as well, and its downhill from anywhere north of the waterfront. Does it get any better?
ReplyDeleteFriends of Crystal Beach pulled off another resounding successful Waterfront Concert, the Toronto All-Star Big Band, our largest turnout ever!
ReplyDeleteFabulous! We left a little early to avoid the rush and noticed the massive number of cars parked along Ridgeway Road and on every inch of available land near Waterfront Park. My only wish is that there could be more concerts; four is simply not enough.
DeleteCan anybody not visualize concerts at the bottom of Jarvis Street? Chippawa has a smaller piece of land in their square, yet they can put on concerts and fun stuff.They the BIA of Bridgeburg have a bingo committee , why not. It takes lots of dedicated people and donations , we have now seen that Niagara Region has lot's of great bands, all they need is more exposure.
ReplyDeleteI would bet that the large audience at last night's concert came from many places, not just Crystal Beach. So many cars, lots with Ontario plates showed me that this is another success for Crystal Beach, especially for the Friends of Crystal Beach. This is the kind of event that brings people to an area. There is no reason that other oarts of town can't do the same thing. It does take a lot of work though. Maybe that's why it hasn't been done elsewhere.
DeleteOFF TOPIC: I was surprised but happy to hear of the re-opening of the Kinsmen Pool. I never thought it would happen as, per the report about the pool, the cost would be over $200,000 to bring the pool back. That question has been answered in the Niagara Bullet article which recounts the major volunteer effort to fix up the pool and get it open. Very impressive show of community support.
ReplyDeleteI checked out the pool last Saturday, and it did look great, the information that I received gave me an insight of what a major effort it took , once they started there was no going back, years and years of grime and layers of paint had to be sandblasted off the walls of the pool, a tedious and slow job that would be, the other work was mostly cosmetic , new roof etcet, this does bring up the value of volunteer labour, The expensive equipment needed replacing 8 years ago , So how much money did Stephen Passero, actually raise and how much did he give the project from all that fundraising?? this fundraising has gone on for over 9 years. as Gregger's would say "we the public have a right to know.".
ReplyDeleteThe study that was commissioned by the town pointed out all the costs to bring back the pool and staff advised that it was prohibitive and the over $200,000. cost could not be borne in the budget of 2012. The late Rick Shular also agreed that the pool would need to be closed. According to the study, the pool would not pass inspection, etc. without massive renovation and retrofitting. The study also stated that remedial efforts might give the pool another five years - max. Since the local community volunteered the man hours, materials and equipment to restore the pool, and if we're to believe Stephen Passero that the taxpayers did not pay for the restoration other than $10,000. for water, etc., then it is a great win for the community. As to fundraising, it is always difficult and more so now as many are going through hard times. Do they have a bingo license? Would be a help although the bingo revenue is way down from previous years.
DeleteI hioe that those who were so in favour of re-opening the pool were part of the many volunteers who helped make it a reality.
I am so glad that I was wrong about the pool.
Free admission to the pool as well. Could ask for a non manditory donation from the people attending to get the fundraising ball rolling. A few dollars here and there can really add up. We would easily slip a few toonies into a box as a donation when attending the pool on a hot day. No obligation, just an opportunity to show our appreciation if the place needs funding. Might be surprised by what comes in as this area is pretty giving when the opportunity presents itself.
ReplyDeleteI drove by the Kinsmen Pool a couple of times today running errands and notice that only a couple of kids were in the pool. Don't know why that is but the weather was certainly good for a day at the pool.
DeleteIs there any push for family swim time? Or a seniors/adult Aquafit/Aquajog program? Hate to see all that work and effort go underutilized. Just askin'
While going through my files I found something that could interest our fellow bloggers, The Times, by Kris Dube had a sunshine list for the year 2008 April, 5 members of staff were listed as Sunshiners, that was 7 years ago, James Thibert general Manager (EDTC) earned $115.387.50. Ron Tripp made $119,429.95. Margaret Neubauer ( Corporate Services) earned $120.808.69. Rino Mostacci picked up $123,991,07, and.. Harry Schlange earned $130,540.01. this list gives the tax-payers an inkling of where our money goes.7 years later they have possibly added another 10% to their payouts. Our Mayor gets money from several different sources, The Town , the Niagara Region and the Parks Commission, at that time our Mayor was on the Police Board and they don't do that for nothing. so his patchwork of numerations therefore escape the Sunshine list. This gives us an idea what service, money can buy in our Town, I don't know about my fellow bloggers , I never got any replies to my written complaints from Harry Schlange, he basically stonewalled complaints from Black Creek about an illegal body shop operating in a residential area.
ReplyDeleteIts been a long time since the pool was available for people to use. With whats going on in the kids world could using the pool now be uncool? Like totally uncool? Or has someone tied a knot in it and only allow children with an adult? That would be totally uncool. Must be a reason for such a poor turnout on a nice summer day. Oooo like you want to like, swim in some concrete tub of like, chlorine chemicals or something? Check out the dude with the sunglasses and the whistle, like stareing at everybody. What a perv. Why does that thing have to be so white? Its like swimming in a labratory rat tank, except the rats would be more friendly. They dont even have wi-fi. Im out of here.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you what's happening at the beach. Fraser is demolishing again. The second stately old building on the circle is getting levelled.
ReplyDeleteAre there not any bylaws that can order that man to finish a project?
Well he just got a huge mortgage (syndicated, I would guess) on the building once owned by Mia Russell on Erie Road. Maybe he's using the extra money from that to demolish the building at Queen's Circle. He ruined that building and turned it into a fire trap. Maybe it was ordered by the town? Now, we can look at the gaping hole in the circle until Fraser sells someone on the idea of a million dollar resort in the spot.
DeleteWord came out quite publicly last week to watch what you get into with those new Marz homes at the east end of Erie road. At least one individual with his eyes open noticed seepage into the basement of at least one of those structures. A basement. In an area so close to lake level it could have been a marina with the right canal dug north. No word on the presence of sump(s) in the lower levels of those shiney new additions to the neighborhood, but its a sure bet if this sort of thing is happening at this, one of the driest times of the year, come March, April, and May we may be hearing a little more about this wet surprise from people who thought they were buying into a well thought out project. How about that wind from the south blowing through that development over the sewage treatment plant on a hot day. We leave that one for further consideration. For now those wet basements should be a heads up (or down) for perspective buyers. They sure made it look pretty though. Maybe they give out free rubber boots with each home purchase.
ReplyDeleteIf it is true that the Marz Homes are having problems with drainage, then, can you imagine what it would be like at the Bay Beach Properties if a twelve story condo was built? Even the thought of a three story building on the north side of Erie would be problematic with the high water table.
DeleteOh well. Planning department doesn't seem to care. Just look at those town houses on Hibbard that don't have enough setback to allow for a proper driveway. Arrogance on the part of the developer who has gotten away with many questionable builds in the area. He has actually bragged that he can get anything he wants in Fort Erie if _________(fill in the blank.)
You mean the one's that can''t sell?
DeleteTalking about sewage odors we in Black Creek have that problem a lot since Wayne Redekop and Mayor Doug Martin decided after over 30 people from Stevensville objected to a huge sub-division built by Ed Lenthysyn (Park Lane homes ) let him have building permits , even though that was in "contempt of a court" order, not to allow any extensions to the Stevenville area sewer lines, only in-filling allowed, Ed donates maximum of $750 to those Mayors at election time, I did not attend that council meeting , had a medical relapse, The Town has been dumping raw sewage directly into the Black Creek every Spring for the past 8 years, as the pumps and pipes could not handle the overflow, last year the Region spent millions of dollars to take out the 30 year old pipes and put in new pumps and 10 inch pipes to the Sewage Lagoon (cess pool) The lagoon was not designed for over 3 thousand people , it was designed for 1700 max. this week-end the largest audience at Safari Niagara, turned up for Blue Rodeo a top Canadian band. all of their sewage goes into that small lagoon, the smell for the next several weeks will be brutal. Wayne Redekop and his council want's to allow another huge sub-division to be built in Black Creek .this is not only illegal but it is insanity. I intend to file a complaint with the Law Society of Upper Canada about the contempt of court , and go to the OMB, the problem the O.M.B does not have any teeth.
ReplyDeleteBlue Rodeo? Man, that WILL stink!!
ReplyDeleteThe OMB is traditionally on the ide of developers. Few regular folks have won an appeal at the OMB.One of those was the late Stella Ziff who went up against a golf course proposal on the Niagara Boulevard. Project was cancelled. I see that the "clubhouse" is now up for sale for $4 million. Lots of land with it as well. Can't put a golf course in there thanks to Stella and her win at the OMB. Very rare.
ReplyDeleteThe former guest home/hotel at Queen's Circle has been torn down. Will the developer say that he had to tear it down due to termites, like he claimed when he tore down the place next door? Probably had to tear down the fire trap that it had become. It had been a restored beauty when it was bought by some company that a convicted felon, Gary fraser is associated with. Then it was stripped down to its rafters and the blight took hold until it looked like it would go up like tinder any day. So many ruined buildings thanks to Fraser and friends. Certainly not what Crystal Beach needs right now.
Seems to be good at tearing down old places, (or the crowbarclowns he and his chequebook have made friends with). Then theres the plywood palaces in a neat little row along Rebstock. What a fungus. Just when you might think people are starting to figure out what a great little village looks like with a fine beach front. Lets hope no more of these types come into this area to do "business".
ReplyDeleteOne of him is quite enough. Wonder if his two strong supporters are upset that he tore down two potential painted ladies.
ReplyDeleteAnd what about the person who sold her store to Fraser? She had nothing good to say about anyone in Crystal Beach (except the people in the Vinyl Village,) I'll bet her neighbours and other business owners in the aea are glad she has moved on. Watch her former store deteriorate or be boarded up like The Pines.
DeleteSorry to hear about the Singing Siren closing. Good food and all, but it was predictable that it would close. So many previous restaurants have failed there. Also, the building is for sale. The Palmwood is for sale as well as Lino's. Changes are in the works. Hopefully Fraser doesn't buy any of the aforementioned restaurants.
I heard that the Singing Siren owners intend to just relocate here in the beach. Hope so!
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, Meg. The food at the Singing Siren was delicious!
DeleteWith taxes what they have become and the seasonal nature of the restaurant business its hard to see how some of the less popular places stay around. The overhead is crushing when you take into consideration insurance, utilities, hired help, the rising price of food ingredients. Have a look at some of the longer lasting places (not all) and see the presence of rental apartments above helping to keep the place viable. The population is ageing too and want food a little more modern. Not to say there isnt a place for the 60's cuisine the area is famous for, just that it reaches saturation and somethings gotta give. A Bar B Q restaurant would do well here. The real thing not just a gas grill with a little smoke sauce. Will be waiting for that one with knife, fork and bib ready, and so will be many others when someone figures that one out.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Mike. It is tough for a restaurant in a summer tourist area. You have about three months to make enough to carry you over the winter. Not easy at all. I went through this myself in two different locations. Summertime was a mad house. 14 hour days were the norm. Seven days a week. Off season is tough. Must build up customer base from locals. In Crystal Beach there are many snowbirds - off to warmer climes as soon as they can. Of course, other communities have the same challenges, so there are ways to survive the winter. We have a few restaurants that do well, even in the off-season.
ReplyDeleteSo is there any news on who pays the legal fees of the 4 yet?
ReplyDeleteThe lawyers for The Four have presented their documents to Judge Sweeney. He will make a determination as to how much is awarded The Four. Since the case was dismissed, those who brought the case will have to pay. There may be coverage of some expenses through town insurance but the papers filed suggest that the lawsuit was part of a larger plan to get rid of The Four.
DeletePersonally, I hope the judge makes Tim Whitfield (and his "backers") pay a great deal of money for what they've done as a deterrent for any person or group of people who may think they can overturn the voters' choice because they don't like how the elected official votes on issues.