| Vol. VII No. 6E |
| Latest Update June 30, 2009 |
| The Crystal Beach STRAND The Little Blog That Could - and Did! 1000+ Hits a Day © Sharon E. Bowers 2009 e-mail: crystalbeachstrand @gmail.com Phone: 905-992-0105 LEGAL DISCLAIMER The Crystal Beach Strand has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information displayed on this website is accurate and responsible. The Crystal Beach Strand does not accept responsibility, or legal liability, for information that may have become incorrect, or misleading due to the passage of time or other conditions. Every reasonable effort is made to keep all information displayed current and up to date. To the best of our knowledge information is accurate at the time of writing and publication. Any opinions expressed on this web site are given without prejudice and are the opinion of the editor and contributors to this site. |
501 DAYS UNTIL NEXT MUNICIPAL ELECTION (November 12, 2010) We Will Not Forget |
| The Crystal Beach STRAND |
| The On-Line Voice of Crystal Beach since 2002 |
| Check Out The Strand BLOG. |
| SEE ALL THE DEVELOPERS WHO DONATED! The Doug Martin Official Campaign Donation List of 2006. See it HERE. |

In an article in the Niagara Falls Review on Monday, June 29, Mayor Doug Martin and Ward 5 Councillor Martha Lockwood both made statements regarding the announcement of the formation of a new group called Keep Bay Beach Lands Public Association that has come together to fight the Molinaro Plan to build two twelve story towers on public beach front property. Part of the group's mandate is to present an alternate plan for the Bay Beach Properties to be improved with the help of government grants and fund raising. Since 2002, groups and citizens have come forward with ideas and suggestions for the property, but the town has been determined to sell off the property. Twice before council backed down from its plan due to public opposition. When town staff recommended the Molinaro Plan, those who expressed opposition to the plan were told that "it was not a done deal" and there would be plenty of time for the people to express their opinion on the plan. Instead, it seems that the proposal juggernaut is too far gone to look at alternatives. At least that's what the mayor said in his statement to the Review. Meanwhile, Councillor Lockwood wants to see funding in place before she'll consider an alternative. Yeah, like the town's Economic Development Corp. was able to convince council to seek grant money to the tune of $3 million for "tourism initiatives" and gave $2 million towards the race track which will never, ever bring a "return on the investment" like what is expected of the Bay Beach Properties. In any other town on water that has in its possession a beautiful public beach with beach front property and parking lots, the mere thought of allowing private development on that property would be considered idiotic. So, we must assume that the staff who recommended this travesty, and the councillors who voted for it, are either incompetent or they have a "hidden agenda." Either way, they are about to give away/sell our town's greatest asset. Just remember this: the CAO and the town planner do not live in Fort Erie, yet they are part of the senior staff that has recommended the privatization of our public beach lands. Note to Mayor Martin: are you going to now claim that you were misquoted - like your town planner has claimed? And who really is the liar here? The town planner who said in the Fort Erie Post that the town applied for grants to fix up Bay Beach and was "not successful." We have researched this thoroughly and the Town of Fort Erie has not, to anyone's knowledge applied for any grant money or infrastructure money to fix up Bay Beach although the property fits the criteria for such grants. A senior staff member, speaking on behalf of the town, and misrepresenting the facts is either grossly incompetent - or he's involved in some sort of separate agreement to deliver the Bay Beach Properties to a developer. |
| NEW DISEASE: Rinovirus ... when words and quotes made by a town planner result in the demand for retractions from the press. This is a symptom of a much more serious disease that results in lack of transparency and trust in local government. Often fatal; it can be cured by ELECTIVE SURGERY. |
| "Keep Bay Beach Lands Public" Signs Removed by Town Employees |
| Allegedly acting at the behest of Ward 5 Councillor Martha Lockwood, town employees were witnessed taking down signs located in public roadsides - the same places where "Save the Hospital" and other campaign signs have been allowed to remain untouched. This "selective" removal of signs is a violation of Charter Rights and will be pursued through legal channels. To town employees who removed the signs: we know it wasn't your idea; you were only doing your job. We know who's responsible. |
| ON LINE PETITION AVAILABLE SIGN UP HERE |
| "Mayor Doug Martin said he's open to hearing what the group has to offer, but added it will be difficult to stop the current process and entertain another plan. " Niagara Falls Review |

| A young man named Dakota displays a hand-made sign and his creative "petition-on-a-tee-shirt" as he stands with hundreds of others on the sandy berm overlooking the public beach at Bay Beach. He was part of a rally in support of "Keeping ALL the Bay Beach Lands in Public Hands" that took place on Saturday, June 27, in Crystal Beach. The event was organized by a group of concerned residents of the lakeside community in Fort Erie. A town-endorsed plan to give over the upland portions of the publicly owned property to a developer in exchange for amenities to be built on the public beach has met with fierce resistance in the quaint, beach village. Residents fear that they soon will live in the shadow of two massive twelve story condo towers that would be placed on the lake side of the property if the Burlington-based Molinaro Group goes ahead with its plans. |
| BAY BEACH RALLY ROCKS! Full Story and More Pictures HERE |

| Ward 4 Councillor Tim Whitfield stands with his back to the crowd at the Bay Beach Rally On the left is Gaming Corporation Head Russ Wilson and Ward 5 Councillor Martha Lockwood is on his right. Although invited to speak to the issue at the rally, both councillors declined. |
| "Coun. Tim Whitfield, who supports the Molinaro Group's proposal and was at the rally, said he's frustrated by the "misinformation" and "innuendo" that resulted from the event." Niagara Falls Review |
| READ MORE ON PAGE FOUR |
| OH MARTHA! Caught on Tape |
| Why the new disclaimer? Read Here |