June 6, 2006
LET'S SKIP THE JUNE PUBLIC COUNCIL MEETING ON
THE PORT TOWER?
"Can't we just skip to the Ontario Municipal Board
Hearing? A majority of councillors were itching to approve
this mega-project. Planning staff has provided them the
rationale for doing so. Case closed." (Doug Herod,
St. Catharines Standard, May 17, 2006).
"The members of a citizens group (NCSD) formed to
demonstrate support of a development proposal for Port
Dalhousie say their job is all but done." "
While they (this group) hold their weekly meetings in
PDVC's office in Port Dalhousie, NCSD does not receive
any money from the developers, Roberts maintains."
(Niagara This Week, June 2, 2006)
If it is really a done deal, should those representing
the vast majority of the community who oppose the project
bother going? Is it just a waste of time? Can the community
fight the Mayor, Staff, a powerful developer with deep
pockets and their support group? The answer 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.''
YES, we believe IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT YOU
ATTEND. Why? Because we still live in a democracy
and this is our final opportunity to let our Councillors
know we want them to listen. The Mayor has stated he supports
this and the previous tower before the Public Meeting
is even held. We need to be there and let the
Mayor and the rest of Council know that this project is
wrong for Port. We all want to see appropriate development
in Port but do NOT want a high tower in a low-rise historic
district nor do we want a project so massive that it will
create a parking and traffic nightmare. We don't want
high buildings walling off our only public beach or restricting
access. We don't want to see a tower that will lead to
more towers.
PLEASE plan to attend the PUBLIC MEETING JUNE
13,14 AND 15 at the Quality Inn (formerly Parkway Inn)
on Ontario St at 6:30 pm. We need to make a very
strong point that we 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. There is a Municipal election
coming up and the public is fed up and does not want:
. Secret Committees of the Mayor and his friends
making arrangements with developers
. Developers deciding when Staff reports should be kept
secret or released.
. Important decisions being made "in camera"
so the public does not know the details
. Our tax dollars being used to finance amenities developers
should pay for
Plan on being there and speaking your mind. Port Dalhousie
is a jewel of St. Catharines and Niagara. It belongs to
everyone. IF YOU CARE, BE THERE
Garage Sale- Saturday June 10th, 8am to 12 Noon,
Simcoe St.
Don't forget. The second annual PROUD Fundraising Garage
Sale will be held on Saturday June 10th at the Lake Ontario
end of Simcoe Street in Port Dalhousie. Donations
will be accepted the day before (Friday June 9th) between
10 am and 8pm. Please drop off the goods you want to donate
at Barb McMullen's house which is at 36 Dalhousie (entrance
off Simcoe).
Those of you who participated in last year's sale know
it will be a lot of fun. Please make sure you bring everything
you want to have for sale and drop it off the day before.
See you at the sale. It will be fun.
HAVE YOU SENT IN YOUR DONATION TO ACO-St.Catharines'
Heritage Fund??
Significant donations are continuing to come in but, we
still have a lot further to go and time is of the essence.
We can definitely 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 (attached)
NOW. We are asking all caring members of the community
to try and donate $250 in cash, credit card or cheque
NOW, and a second $250 post-dated to later this year
or to January, 2007. A TAX RECEIPT will be issued for
every donation. NOTE: The Pledge Card can also be printed
from www.saveport.ca or the Provincial ACO's website
www.hips.com/ACO
We know this is a significant amount as many of us are
on fixed or low incomes but, we know everyone cares.
Give to your own ability to donate -every donation
counts- and GIVE FROM YOUR HEART.
Please email us at saveport@aol.com or phone 905-646-1264
confirming you have sent in your Pledge Card ASAP. Our
volunteer canvassers have been phoning PROUD members
and will continue to follow up until they reach everyone.
Also remember cheques are payable to ACO-St.
Catharines and write Port Dalhousie Heritage Fund in
memo area.
Let's Save Our Seaport
David Bergen and Carlos Garcia
PROUD Port Dalhousie
A PROUD Seven-Year History as a Volunteer Community
Organization
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