Reading Donn Esmonde's column this morning (link below) I couldn't help but think of just how much further along Crystal Beach could have been had all of us in the community dedicated our resources and efforts towards making Crystal Beach Public Waterfront Park what it should be?
Imagine if the Town of Fort Erie and the residents, whom have always been willing to "pitch in", had made a REAL commitment and found the funds to transform our "diamond in the rough" to it's obvious potential as opposed to looking for excuses to sell a public park to a private concern?
As a taxpaying resident I will confess that I "dropped the ball" just as much as anyone.
Guilty as charged !
That said, I wonder if any of our existing or former public office holders or Civil Servants, are willing to take any responsibility for getting us to where we are today...Divided Dreading and Disheartened !!!
Buffalo News Link
http://www.buffalonews.com/city/columns/donn-esmonde/article222356.ece
yellowpike
It's not always about fishing...
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
4 doors away from the main entrance...
It’s been a while since I’ve posted but with things remaining static for so long I simply didn’t see any sense in just “flappin’ me gums”.
As we celebrate Labour Day 2010 and move from “Summer” to the more normal “Not Summer” season in our humble village I believe there are some things that have become Crystal Clear (pun intended).
The proposed “Crystal Beach Gateway Plan” IS a major topic of discussion for our Canadian friends & neighbors as they prepare to cast their votes in October’s municipal elections. While other MAJOR issues no doubt confront the electors, as well as the elected, the plan to allow private ownership & development of the publicly owned Crystal Beach Waterfront Park is of considerable conversation throughout ALL of Fort Erie and it’s politics.
A rather unclearly stated goal of the “Gateway Plan”, kicking down the door to allow private high rise development from Bay Beach to Pt. Abino, is NOT lost to those that understand the proposal whether one is for or against it.
Respectfully, as a fellow tax-payer and neighbor but one that is ineligible to vote here in Fort Erie, I ask the following…
Whether you are inclined to support the “Gateway Plan” or not, PLEASE, take the time to look over this plan, and it’s details, thoroughly.
Both my wife and I have and while we support and advocate development, especially here in Crystal Beach, frankly we don’t like what we see!
Happy Labour Day!!!
John McCarthy
Labels:
opinion
4
comments
Sunday, June 27, 2010
"Bucking" the trend
As reported by Doug Draper's in his article NiagaraAtLarge an international effort is under way to insure public access to our Great Lakes shoreline and
“to take back into public ownership waterfront properties along the Great Lakes as they become available to ensure public access for future generations.”
From the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the big lake they call "Gitchigumi" citizens and government leaders are joined in making great strides in maximizing these possibilities.
There is of course one place where that this is simply not the case. In fact, a majority of Fort Erie's elected officials, supported by Town Staff are in favour of allowing ownership of a substantial portion of an existing, public, waterfront park to be transferred to a private developer.
Somehow, proponents of the "Crystal Beach Gateway Project" are advocating that construction of a 12 story condo at the Bay Beach entrance is actually a step in "improving the beach experience" and, in time, will allow for increased public access as well as be a catalyst for more public ownership of waterfront lands.
Come on...whose kidding who?
When you look at how private ownership of waterfront has played out over the years, I'm reminded of an old saying...
"Someone is pissing in my ear and they're telling me it's raining"
Q tip anyone?
“to take back into public ownership waterfront properties along the Great Lakes as they become available to ensure public access for future generations.”
From the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the big lake they call "Gitchigumi" citizens and government leaders are joined in making great strides in maximizing these possibilities.
There is of course one place where that this is simply not the case. In fact, a majority of Fort Erie's elected officials, supported by Town Staff are in favour of allowing ownership of a substantial portion of an existing, public, waterfront park to be transferred to a private developer.
Somehow, proponents of the "Crystal Beach Gateway Project" are advocating that construction of a 12 story condo at the Bay Beach entrance is actually a step in "improving the beach experience" and, in time, will allow for increased public access as well as be a catalyst for more public ownership of waterfront lands.
Come on...whose kidding who?
When you look at how private ownership of waterfront has played out over the years, I'm reminded of an old saying...
"Someone is pissing in my ear and they're telling me it's raining"
Q tip anyone?
Labels:
inconsistency
Monday, June 21, 2010
Response to an abuse
Link to Buffalo News article by Margaret Sullivan: Buffalo News Editor
Without accountability... what is an opinion?
Without accountability... what is an opinion?
Labels:
sign of the times
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Fair enough
I received a “heads up” informing me that my reference to “the majority of residents” in my June 8, 2010 post was being rightfully challenged. Here is the direct quote from me:
“What of their “due diligence” to the majority of residents that oppose this development?”
In the absence of any official, scientific, independent survey, I am basing the “majority” conclusion on two things:
1) 1) Personal conversation with Fort Erie residents such as neighbours, beach patrons, fellow shoppers, folks sitting at the bar, business owners & employees, fellow property owners, officers & members of service groups, officers & members of youth sports organizations, Fire Fighters, Police Officers, Town employees, Fishermen, Tradesmen and others.
2) 2) The number of presentations to Town Council in opposition to the plan as opposed to the number presenting in support of it.
Therefor it’s an opinion. Just as it is an opinion that a majority of residents support the plan.
So, if I may ?
Given the difference in opinion, might it not be helpful to ask voters, before we go any further, if they support the existing plan or not?
Respectfully,
John
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Parachuting (golden) before the plane crash?
http://forterietimes.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2623865
As long as taxpayers are ONLY footing up to $100,000 and it's OK with the rest of the guys...
Well then...SURE...what the heck...why not ?
I mean sometimes you budget things and sometimes you don't and it might be more or, then again, it might be less and well... you know, usually on "behalf of the process" towns just pay it but this will probably take longer so... you know we'll try our darnedest to cap our exposure by declaring a $100K deductible for our partner but...
well... I mean... it's kind of like... umm...you know...ahhh....... don't ya ?
As long as taxpayers are ONLY footing up to $100,000 and it's OK with the rest of the guys...
Well then...SURE...what the heck...why not ?
I mean sometimes you budget things and sometimes you don't and it might be more or, then again, it might be less and well... you know, usually on "behalf of the process" towns just pay it but this will probably take longer so... you know we'll try our darnedest to cap our exposure by declaring a $100K deductible for our partner but...
well... I mean... it's kind of like... umm...you know...ahhh....... don't ya ?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
From Toronto...a new paradigm
Click here to watch this video and
Listen to the words of the speakers!!!
Notice the sense of purpose, excitement and UNITY as Toronto realizes the importance of an open, public waterfront as the center piece of a community.
One can only wonder how they would weigh in on constructing a 12 story condo in the middle of an existing public park like Bay Beach.
When you look, objectively, at Marcy Woods, Pt. Abino Light House, Crystal Beach Tennis & Yacht Club you have to ask...How many times are we going to repeat the same mistakes?
Listen to the words of the speakers!!!
Notice the sense of purpose, excitement and UNITY as Toronto realizes the importance of an open, public waterfront as the center piece of a community.
One can only wonder how they would weigh in on constructing a 12 story condo in the middle of an existing public park like Bay Beach.
When you look, objectively, at Marcy Woods, Pt. Abino Light House, Crystal Beach Tennis & Yacht Club you have to ask...How many times are we going to repeat the same mistakes?
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