June 24, 2006
Back on May 17th Doug Herod wrote: "A majority
of councillors were itching to approve this mega-project.
Planning staff has provided them the rationale for doing
so. Case closed." The members of the "citizens"
group formed to support the development also thinks
Council is a done deal. In fact, one of their members
even told Council the publisher of the local pro-tower
publication should qualify for sainthood. Wow...
that reminds us of the Architect telling the Chamber
of Commerce this developer should get the Order of Canada.
Today, the St. Catharines Standard pulled the
ultimate in interference with the democratic process
in this City. They published an editorial entitled
"Port Dalhousie Would Benefit From A Tower."
They could have easily called it "Port Dalhousie
Would Benefit From Many Towers." However, it's
the timing that is most upsetting. If they are willing
to support the developer knowing the vast majority of
their readers oppose the project, that is their right
but, NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PUBLIC COUNCIL
MEETINGS! To do this now is blatant
interference and an obvious attempt to influence Council
at the 11th hour.
Again, the developer must be REALLY WORRIED
that Council votes are not the slam dunk they assumed
so, they want to overwhelm and even had to get the Standard
to help them at the last minute. After their
side speaks on Monday, Council had agreed to a cooling
off period so that they don't vote right after hearing
from the developer. HOWEVER, it looks like the Mayor
is going to try to push and start deliberations and
maybe a vote on Monday night.
We need to be at the Quality Inn (6:30 pm) Monday
night again and show the Mayor and the rest of Council
that we care. Also, phone Councillors BEFORE
Monday if you can and tell them you expect Council to
uphold its own approved regulations including the Official
Plan, Zoning By-Law and Heritage Guidelines. Yes, the
community will most likely have to go before the OMB
to ensure the developer can not just ignore all the
Planning regulations. However, before the OMB, we need
to demand that our Council follow an open and
democratic process and LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.
Can the community fight the Mayor, Staff, a powerful
developer with deep pockets, their support group and
now the local newspaper? The answer still lies in Winston
Churchill's famous speech to the boys at Harrow School
in 1941: "Never, never, in nothing great
or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions
of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never
yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.''
Plan on being there Monday and Tuesday if it goes over.
Port Dalhousie is a jewel of St. Catharines and Niagara.
It belongs to everyone. IF YOU CARE, BE THERE
and...remember we can definitely ensure appropriate
development in Port by going to the OMB and ACO-St.Catharines'
Fundraising Campaign continues to gather momentum. We
are confident we can raise enough money for the OMB
if ALL those who care -and particularly PROUD
members- GIVE FROM THE HEART.
If you haven't already, fill out your Pledge Card NOW.
A TAX RECEIPT will be issued for every donation. NOTE:
The Pledge Card can be printed from www.saveport.ca
or the Provincial ACO's website www.hips.com/ACO
Keep those donations coming!
Let's Save Our Seaport
David Bergen and Carlos Garcia
PROUD Port Dalhousie
A PROUD Seven-Year History as a Volunteer Community
Organization
|
