“We wouldn't be doing our jobs as a council if we didn't investigate all the possibilities that are out there"
This is a quote from Fort Erie Councilor Martha Lockwood in a Niagara Falls Review article, dated July 25, 2008.
Yes, indeed, it is taken out of context but I refer to it as Words Of Wisdom …NOT as some sort of “cheap shot” against the Councilor.
The truth is, I completely agree with the statement , and in all honesty, believe Council is in fact, properly considering the OPTION that the Town Planning Department has recommended.
And that’s the problem. OPTION !
As in singular, only one, no more, nada.
Supposedly guided by a Neighborhood Plan, a Regional Plan, and a Provincial Plan , all packed with data, charts, RECOMMEDATIONS and what not, all based on studies performed by some of the best and brightest and paid for by taxpayers, our Town Planning Department comes up with ONE, and only ONE option for the use of a publicly owned waterfront park…..
Come on ? Honestly. That’s the best we can do?
What would make it even more tragic is if there really was NO EFFORT made to look for real alternatives ?
Before anybody commits to ANYTHING I respectfully remind Council and Staff to heed Councilor Lockwood’s words.
Regards,
John
PLEASE. Your comments are encouraged.
Happy New John. Will converse soon.
ReplyDeleteAnother OPTION would have been to seek grant money, like other communities, e.g. Grand Bend. The town planner did say, in a local news article published last summer, that the town had applied for grants for the Bay Beach Properties but were "not successful." Unfortunately, it turned out that the town never applied for any grants for the Bay Beach Properties. Mostacci claims he was misquoted in the article.
ReplyDeleteThe job of the town staff is to receive instructions from council, investigate, study and come up with A recommendation. It is not to give council a myriad of options.
ReplyDeleteIt is up to council to accept, ammend or reject THE recommendation.
What if it was determined that staff, while in the process of exploring details for a given recommendation, failed to look into reasonable and very real options that could have changed the recommendation?
ReplyDeleteJohn
It would depend on what their original instructions from council were. Were they instructed to look into every "reasonable and very real options" or were they instructed to look into one particular type of development?
ReplyDeleteCouncil instructs>>Staff recommends>>Council decides.
"It would depend on what their original instructions from council were. "
ReplyDelete-Indeed it would.
As for the instruct>>recommends>>decides formula?
-I sincerely hope you are correct!
John
I'm afraid the Town of Fort Erie has it backwards. Staff runs this town because the mayor and certain councillors have abdicated their duties because they are just plain lazy. (Sorry, John, but it's true.) I've seen one or more of councillors open their council package while sitting at the podium just before the meeting starts. That is why Ann Marie and Bob Steckley are often the only councillors asking questions. Everyone else seems to take staff's recommendations as gospel.
ReplyDeleteAnd could "The Editor" tell me what that package looks like? I take offence to that as most of our councillors put a lot of hours into postion as elected councillor. They get many envelopes besides their meeting package, they could be opening that package prior to the meeting. You forget Berry didn't open his packages, and did not sit on any committees, and when he didn't get his way he didn't show up for council meetings, nor did he return calls.
ReplyDeleteI do believe all the councillors went into the election to better Fort Erie. I don't think any of the new council, knew how much time it would take, they all have jobs and families. I commend them all! I don't agree with them all but I think they all have put a lot of time and energy into their committment to our Town of Fort Erie. I don't see anyone of them sitting back and doing nothing. If people want a change, then it's up to them to vote, or step up and run in the election.
Anonymous
ReplyDelete"It would depend on what their original instructions from council were. "
I thought you might find this interesting...
From CDS-041-08 File# 120902 Dated June 9,2008
Titled:
BAY BEACH DEVELOPMENT
SEEKING A PRIVATE/PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Page 3 "Analysis"
"As Council is aware, there has been significant community discussion over the ultimate use
of the Bay Beach property since its acquisition in 2001. The Town purchased the property
in order to provide public beach, as well as to generate a financial return based on its
ultimate development as a catalyst for renewal in the area. To that end, at the March 19,
2008 Budget Committee Meeting, Staff suggested that Council continue to explore all
options available for the development of the “non beach” areas, realizing that the beach
would always remain in municipal ownership and control".
Of special note is...
"Staff suggested that Council continue to explore all options available for the development of the “non beach” areas".
Respectfully I gotta say "Hmmmmm"
John, my posts on this matter are about the fact that the staff did not do their job properly by presenting only one OPTION.
ReplyDeleteMy contention is that the staff did exactly what they were instructed to do. They reported to council that council should "explore all options".
If council did not do this but asked staff to look at only the residential-type options then it is council not staff that did not do their job.
The question that should be answered is what did council tell the staff to do not the other way around.
"The question that should be answered is what did council tell the staff to do not the other way around."
ReplyDeleteOr perhaps... Why didn't SOMEBODY look into other, very possible,reasonable alternatives?
Not Council, Planning Dept, EDTC, Nobody in the administration ?
It's been confirmed that none of these entities explored government grants/funds or even private foundations to potently improve/develop a public waterfront park over a period of YEARS.
Honestly, I find it amazing that this could have occurred.
And hey, Really. Thank you for the discussion!
John:
ReplyDeleteI just checked the "other" blog. I don't go on there much anymore because most of the pro/anti people insinuate, insult, lie and defame.
I can't apologize for the idiot and his characterization of Americans but I can assure you that I and many of us have enjoyed decades of welcoming and enjoying our relationship with our American visitors and permanent residents. I wish some village would take their idiot back.