Monday, December 8, 2014

UH-OH. CONVICTED FRAUDSTER NOW ON CRYSTAL BEACH BIA BOARD. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

Plenty if Gary Fraser's past is any indication. Below are newspaper articles regarding Fraser's history of fraud for which he served time in jail.



  1. Scam Artist Bilked Family, Friends Out of  $2 Million.
  2. 30 Month Sentence For Fraud Artist Who Scammed His Pastor.
  3. Warning/Complaint About Gary Fraser.
  4. Fraser cons in the Muskokas
  5. His Port Colborne Cons
  6. 3 Years Jail Sentence. Officers warn he will con again once he is out.
Of course, Gary Fraser claims that he has changed and that he has learned his lesson. Odd though, he's gone into the same line of work that he was in when caught bilking people of millions of dollars: selling dreams through investment opportunities.

He recently set his sights on Crystal Beach and is the go-to guy for a series of investments in Crystal Beach. Somehow he and one of his followers, Arlene White, were appointed to the Crystal Beach BIA. So far, there is only a post office box in Crystal Beach listed as the business address of Black Bear Homes, Ltd. (Not to be confused {cough-cough}with Black Bear Developments.)  President of Black Bear Homes is listed as Audrey VandenBerg at that P.O. Box; she's reported to be Fraser's girlfriend. (Correction: Gary Fraser identifies himself as the president of Black Bear Homes, Ltd.) 

It doesn't take long to find those buildings associated with Fraser and the investors behind him. The stripped former tourist home at Queen's Circle that is listed for close to $1 million, once completely refurbished. The house next door was torn down to its footings. Next, a remodeled cottage on Cherrywood that reportedly "sold" for over $400,000 that is worth less than half that amount. We're still waiting to see who "bought" that place; it closes on the 15th of December. Real Estate company is allegedly an in-house company. Fraser's investment company also bought the former Pines restaurant and refurbishment is underway. Supposed to have re-opened last month. Still waiting for that.

The crown jewels to this operation are the houses being built on Schooley Road near Smalls Road and Glen Spring. Priced from $487,000 for a 1477 sq.ft. house without a garage to $598,900 for a 1954 sq.ft house without a garage.  All are on small lots and do not look well-made at this stage. Inflated prices are not making neighbours feel confident for the future. Will probably end up like the places on Cambridge that never sold and are now rented out. Only an idiot would pay that much for such places, in my opinion.

Again, we're not against smart development in Crystal Beach, but these overpriced houses will do nothing to draw people to the area, especially when the spokesman for the company is a convicted fraudster. I was tipped off to Gary Fraser and his past history by a local real estate agent.

So, the village of Crystal Beach may have escaped the plans of a high rise developer only to fall into the clutches of a convicted felon. We worry about the few who may have invested in this man's latest scheme, believing that he is a changed man.  If he was "so changed" he would have gone into a completely different line of work, not fall back right into the investment world.

Please beware of this man's history before you get involved, invest, or buy into his dreams. Several years ago, a similar scam took place in Crystal Beach. Silent investors lost a lot of money but no charges were ever filed.  There are still a few remnants of these people remaining in town. Another reason that Crystal Beach suffered after the amusement park closed was the influx of these vultures, who took advantage of the low prices and desperation. These "investors" could pay cash (Crystal Beach was red-lined so no mortgages) and rent them out to the poor and those on Social Services. Almost destroyed the Beach. 

Let's not repeat that sad history.

UPDATE: The house on Cherrywood was "sold" then the deal fell through and another deal was supposed to have gone through, but there is now a generic "For Sale" sign on the property.  Also, the "mortgage company" used in the past by Fraser has been busted by the SEC but is still operating. Company names change frequently and there is no actual physical address for the various companies that are undertaking the developments. 

Like others before me, I am requesting someone to send me a picture of Gary Fraser so that it can be posted here. In an aside, when one person met Gary Fraser, she counted her fingers after shaking his hand. It is suggested that others take that as a warning.

56 comments:

  1. HOW could he have been appointed given his record?! Isn't anyone on the BIA alarmed?

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    1. I heard that Phil Smith was not appointed to the CB-BIA. He had been a positive force on its board in the past. New board members include Nick and Mia Russell. They were big supporters of the Molinaro Tower. I understand that Councillor Don Lubberts had nothing to do with these appointments.

      I also hear that the Ridgeway BIA has undergone a "makeover" and certain board members were turfed as well.

      As far as the Ridgeway BIA is concerned: this happened before. Years ago, there was a purge of the BIA and things came to a grinding halt for a while until some new people came along.

      I just wish people with their own agenda would stay off these boards. Come on, you're supposed to be working for the whole community, not just to further your own business.

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  2. OMG, what next!! This information should have been made public quite some time ago as MR Fraser has been hanging around CB for at least 12 months. It certainly shines a light on Arlene White & her interest in the CBBIA & The FOCB. What are the real underlying reasons that she & Mr Fraser have become involved in our local community groups.

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    1. I was just recently able to put things together and then, when I heard that he and Arlene White were chosen to be on the CB-BIA board, I became very concerned. There is more to this story as I've been working on other information and trying to put the whole thing together. As to what I know of the current board names that I mentioned, the future of Crystal Beach is in danger. None of those mentioned as being on the board have anything but themselves and theirinterests in mind. sad news for the future of Crystal Beach.

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  3. Breaking News. It didn't take Thibert too long to call his markers in. Council will already be faced with the decision to fork another half million over to the two day a week money gobbling track. The Mayor and others stated on the campaign trail that Fort Erie taxpayer money should not be used to prop up the track. My guess is that JT is pretty confident of his supportive votes on Council to bring it forward so soon. Watch the Chamber Maids and a couple others give in to the request .Its payback time girls. If a Councillor is truly on the side of the taxpayer they will just say NO.

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    1. Yeah, the previous, now non-elected councillors said that the $500,000. was to be a one-time gift. Remember, Jimmy begged them for it because the lease was due and the province hadn't yet coughed up its contribution. Then it was "delayed" until just this fall and used for "operating expenses." Big lie there. What can you expect? Jimmy has his special girls right in place to do his bidding. They owe him. He made Kimberly Zanko a star and gave Marina Butler's company the Human Resources Department at the track. They both should be declaring a conflict of interest, but they won't.

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  4. Tapping the taxpayer for $500,000 again this year was predictable but not quite this soon. JT needs more money to prop up the decrepit track. Do your math Council. It costs $215,000 DAILY each and every of the two days weekly that the track is open.This is accurate based on all taxpayer "Donations" Challenge JT to show this is not a true figure. Is it really worth it? Like the mall, theater, roller rink and amusement park ...Close it and move forward!!!

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    1. But, they'll go on and on about all the jobs that need saving. Yeah, like those who work on the backstretch who are uneducated and employed in the only work they are capable of. We need more of that type of employment. Really "keeps our children here" doesn't it? What this town needs is partnerships with universities and colleges to provide learning and apprenticeship programs for students in jobs that are not seasonal and minimum wage. Fort Erie's bordertown status should be an asset, not just a place where people go to bet money on horses. According to Jim, the horse track is the be-all and the end-all to Fort Erie's economic development. Most know that without taxpayers subsidizing the track, it would have closed a long time ago. Talk about corporate welfare.

      BTW, I'm going to post a great article about the death of Atlantic City, a place that put all its effort and money into turning its boardwalk into a gambling site. Beware, Niagara Falls (and Fort Erie.) Internet gambling is here. Goodbye, gambling casinos. Just heard that one can bet up to $10,000. per week in online gambling.

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  5. Looks like Crystal Beach has a Bernie Madoff in it's midst , Thank you for the timely warnings, we need a parasite like this, like we need an Ebola epidemic.!!!

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  6. Breaking News! Donnie Lubberts was able to get the town treasurer to admit on record that taxpayers will be looking at around a 9% tax increase this year. Remember this well: the previous council, some voted out, was responsible for the lowest tax increase in years. Not going to happen in 2015. And Thibert is asking for $500K of taxpayer money for the track. Welcome to Zankobuttistan.

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  7. How refreshing to hear a clear concise Regional Councillor report. Sandy gave more pertinent information related to Fort Erie then we heard in the last four years.
    Seems like other then Don and Nut the rest forgot they were to read their reports and be ready for comments or questions.Other then that it was same old same old.The EDTC is giving them an educational session on the 10th . Another round of "How Great we Are" Hope they ask some questions if they get a word in edgewise. JT hates to be questioned.He is a good salesman and no doubt will push for his half a million we can't afford. Cut two days off the race schedule and the Town can save their 500,000$ We all have budgets ...why not him too.

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    1. Although I am sorry that Shular is ill, it was quite a refreshing council meeting without him and his ridiculous misused words and phrases. All that posturing and hot air has been annoying to say the least. The Chamber Maids did OK for starters; didn't have much to do. Zanko fielded Lubberts' questions to the treasurer. It was obvious to me that she had no idea what either was talking about. She's in way over her head, but she'll follow Marina lead on voting. Chris Knutt thinks he can eliminate "redundancy" ib his term. Better go back and do your homework, Chris. It's never that simple.

      I can't stand Sandy Annunziata but he did sound like he is trying to be better than his predecessor. All he really needs to do is show up and stay at regional council meetings and he will achieve that. His interest in taxis and snow shoveling is a bit much though. Sounds like he is already running for mayor - or does he think he's above the mayor? Time will tell, but watch him for plagiarism. He has tried it before and failed.

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  8. Fort Stupid.......... 9% increase already.........just the beginning.

    1 fraudster in the Beach and 300 fraudsters at Dirty Doug's retirement gig. Had the roof collapsed, most of the (greed based) problems of this town, cloaked in the respectability of so called legitimate business, would've disappeared overnight.

    300 ol boy fraudsters represent about 1% the population. That means the other 99% contribute directly or indirectly to THEIR bottom line. 4 good men of conscience held their fingers in the dyke, holding back the tidal wave of greed that will be the death of this town and at great personal cost but the morons that live here vote them out.

    Thibert, Wilson, Butler, Fraser, Martin and the other 290 or so, thank you for your generous contribution to their financial health.

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  9. On the sick Schular subject. If he can't serve on Council do we have a by election or is it an appointment. Whats the procedure to replace if he can't continue. Will it be a Dean vs Passero vs Annemarie for the seat?

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    1. As far as I know, it could be up to council to either appoint his runner-up or call for a by-election. Speculation is already running wild that Passero is on standby and will be more than willing to jump in if there is an opening on council. Perhaps someone might even sue Marina Butler for conflict of interest. (Here's hoping)

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  10. I have seen this scenario before on this Town of Fort Erie Council, there is tradition, which means the runner up automatically fills the spot, which is a guy I know nothing about, he and his wife both ran for council, The Municipal Act gives several choices , hold another election for that seat or appoint someone, anybody that they like , which will be a Chamber of Commerce type, knowing the makeup of this council. so there is no hard and fast rule here.an awful and I mean awful ! choice's here.

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  11. Here's hoping that Rick is back on Council in a few weeks and all is well.

    I am surprised that he is my choice. Compared to a by-election, one head stands out above the rest, and I certainly don't want him back!














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  12. In terms of Mr. Fraser, calling someone a "scam artist" sounds very user friendly. Maybe a little too user friendly, as he has been able to carry on with various projects and even be, at least on paper, a "member of a Crystal Beach Business Improvement club (lets look forward to more old wine barrels cut in half and planted with annuals.So much imagination, where do they get it all?!). A self centred criminal like GF belongs in a cell a long way from this community. A lot of people that had a lot of money taken and wasted would agree.A "scam artist" might refir to someone working at the old CB amusement park where customers threw softballs at lead filled milkbottles and had a laugh knowing they were not going to win some little plastic toy. GF is no "scam artist". If anything people like that are to be refired to as deceitfull criminals and have no place on any community boards especially a club like the CBBIA where as the sheep they are may very well be led astray just at a time when we need solid honest planning and put the crooked self serving attitudes we have become so familiar with lately behind us. The boycott of businesses that support greed and false images of prosperity will continue, and that, it seems, will include the "new" Pines restaurant, with its crooked new owner .Just had to ruin the old place. There are parts of this country where GF would have been in big trouble for damaging a heritage building like that. What else has to happen before people wake up to whats going on in the interest of a few greedy people and their scheming ways.?

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    1. The "problem" is that Mr. Fraser owns nothing himself. He is the Music Man leading vulnerable people into doing his bidding. The company he represents has no real presence in Crystal Beach. Just read the links I provided and then read the links within those links. Mr. Fraser has scammed people in Port Colborne, Niagara on the Lake and even Chippawa from what I've discovered. Crystal Beach was next on his list, it would seem. I have also heard there is some push-back on his appointment to the CBBIA board. Again, Don Lubberts had nothing to do with the choices for the board. (This never would have happened if The Four were on council. Figure it out how all new people got on the board.)

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    2. "crooked self serving attitudes"..........I believe you just hit the nail on the head there John AM........that is most of the problem with this town.

      How to get rid of the well established, entrenched and many times well off ol Boys who perpetuate these soft crimes will now take at least another 4 years

      .With only 1 voice of the common people left, Mr Lubberts is waist deep in old style crooked local politics where insiders rule to the detriment of the greater good. Tax increases already, 1 week into the ol boys return to power should spell it out for anyone with a lick of common sense that seems less than common around here.

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  13. All things considered the irony of a dedication of a plaque commerating the historical significance of an important part of the community within eyeshot of a property torn down to the mud that was of real historical value in terms of architecture and tourism. Go figure. Most people had their backs to that shamefull bit of distruction anyway. In that regard, the symbolism of that days ("Sunday,3 PM!!") activitys was complete.

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  14. Thank you for the Casino link. I've been to Vegas and enjoy glitz and fantasy - but that's what it is, fantasy. Beneath the surface are forces that prey on compulsive disorders; destroying families and driving men to suicide. Add to that internet addiction. We deserve so much better than that for an economic plan.

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  15. He also ripped off people in North Bay according to a site that I read. I sure hope people around here haven't invested in him. Can't say they weren't warned though.

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    1. Can you provide a link to the site? Can't find the reference to North Bay, but it certainly sounds possible.

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  16. The local Pravda has JT smiling ear to ear, and a mention that JT is demanding $500.000 of our tax money for the track, also he usually get's $750,000 to run the EDTC so there goes one million and a quarter to finance JT.s Xmas list so this will be on top of the 12 millions we already sent down the mine shaft. be noted everybody that supported the EDTC this last election were voted in, to our Council, This tells me that the Fort Erie taxpayers love to be taxed to death, The council member's that delivered the smallest increase in over 8 years were voted out of office, They really do have more money than sense, the people of Fort Erie ,is it any wonder JT jeers at the obtuseness of the residents of our Town. We really are much like the two in "Dumb and Dumber" .Forest Gump, is a genius compared to the voters of Fort Erie.

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    1. At the re-dedication of the plaque at Queen's Circle this past Sunday, Mayor Redekop remarked that he was mayor when the first plaque was dedicated. Former Councillors Paul Collard, John Hill and Bob Steckley were in attendance. Mayor Redekop said that it was funny: "What goes around, comes around. Things may be different four years from now." Some took that as a reference to the former councillors who did a lot of good for the community, especially in delivering the lowest tax increase in years. This new council does not inspire confidence that the taxpayer is its primary concern.

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  17. With money as the new religion is it any wonder that the council voted in is going to try to wring it out of the followers. Especially this time of the year where people will cross national borders to worship at the alter of the shopping gods. Where buying somthing takes on an emotionality that transends almost every other activity be it art, music, literature, the enviroment and even personal relationships. Parents can buy the loyalty ( be it ever so fleeting with the right "gift", purchased prefirably,) of their ungrateful offspring. Local newspapers fat with fliers trying to sell everything from chinese made jam to battery operated socks. So much of it infact that it takes an effort to sort out where the newspaper actually starts, (they have recently sold the front page to some ad designer, the FRONT PAGE!!) and the reporting begins. Then the publication itself at least half full of stuff to spend money on. Creeping comercialism its called. You go to buy gas for your car and while looking down notice you can get a "big gulp" with the purchase of gasoline ad on the handle of the gas nozzle!! Where will it stop? Who knows. But with money spending and the saturation of the practice it wont be a surprise if big tax increases and giveaways are met with a yawn, after all with money and related spending and wastage as the last new religious passtime, we can all get closer to the gods if we just go along with it . Besides to say somthing might indicate a streak of "poor" in our makeup and nobody wants to hang their head in shame and whisper,"we cant afford that nonsense". Tax increases year after year? This from our supposed "leaders?" There are huge cuts that can be made, no one seems to have the guts or will to do it, and that just isnt right.

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  18. the people of Fort Erie read the local newspaper & have voted based on a one sided report. They have no idea about the local old boys machine of tell them stories & make it look like facts. Too bad because now their taxes are going to rise because of the handouts to the self interest groups. The EDTC is a major expense & most of the FE taxpayers think the province pays for this!! Too bad the press is not likely to tell the whole story.

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  19. Money wasted. $300 to $400 per hour for trucks to drive around and pick up bags of leaves people put at the roadside. Christmas tree "pickup" $400 to $500 per hour for trucks to drive around and pickup "dead christmas trees". You got it home go take it and give it a new home somewhere. The guys on the trucks sure get a laugh from that overtime and the fools that fuel that sillyness. We paying "the region" for that bit of stupidspend, not so much. Where to begin...there is so much stupid spending...where to begin...

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    1. The new chair of the Regional Council has promised to look closely into spending and find ways to save taxpayer dollars. Hope he stays true to his promise. Meanwhile, over $500,000. of Fort Erie taxpayers' dollars are going to prop up the race track which is run by the GM of the EDTC who uses taxpayer money to sue a blogger and probably Councillor Don Lubberts for "conflict of interest." Pot, meet kettle. Thibert is in constant conflict over his involvement as CAO of the FELRC and the GM of the EDTC.

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  20. The choice of the new Regional Director could be a good one, his experience with Acres an international engineering company that was based in Niagara Falls and his years with General Motors, means that he really does have exposure to the real world, sure beats a political appointment ( Conservative Croney) of a NOTL milk man , when Region was first formed, and held that office until he fell into his grave. The Government who appointed our first Director, was the" Big Blue Machine" of Bill Davis.

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  21. Another wonderful event in Crystal Beach last night! One hundred attended the perfect night. The lights were magical the Trinity Church Choir was fabulous. Everyone sang along, hot chocolate was offered.
    Phil Smith spoke to welcome and thank everyone for making the CCBIA event a success.

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  22. So, once again that other blog springs into action when I publish something. Of course, they get a lot of it wrong, but that's how they roll. Here's an easy way to solve the CB-BIA problem: the others on the board need to demand the resignation of Gary Fraser. He does not have a business in the Beach nor does his reputation warrant his appointment to the board of the CB-BIA. Show some spine, business people of Crystal Beach! This guy is not a good representative.

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    1. I am considering moving to the area, and came across your blog. I have served on various boards of directors for condo corporations here in Toronto, and there is a stipulation that no one can serve on a board that has a criminal record. I wonder if there is any such thing regarding members on the BIA board?

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    2. I'm not sure about the CB-BIA rules, but Fraser resigned from the board months ago. He is currently on the loose and the police are very close to arresting him again. It's a great area to live in, despite problems. See The Fort Erie Times for a great article on new businesses opening and thriving in the Beach.

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  23. These are a group of light weights, GF as a member is just an extra to add what would have been a boring line up of white bread slow pokes. Bring on the hanging baskets. Business improvements...right...

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  24. Dem Der Ninjas are so predictable,,,of course the last Council will be blamed for everything from the budget right through to EDTC expenditures and JT lawsuits...HA
    McDermott must have slept through the answer at Council the Treasurer gave about the budget already exceeding 8% without a kindly Christmas present to Thibert of half a million bucks. Will he vote for the taxpayers or for Thibert....watch closely to see if he is all blog talk or be on the peoples side the way he has campaigned.We will be watching George.

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  25. Poor George he is going to find out quite quickly who is in charge of the Town & it isn't council. He may want to be on the Taxpayer side but the old boys will straighten him out. George will need some real strength to oppose the JT crowd for money to the track etc. Lets see how he likes being on the Hot Seat!

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  26. In less than two weeks, our new council has gone into closed session called by the EDTC for "training", right what "training " will Mr. JT be teaching? It will become pretty obvious who is in control, my guess is Mr. JT. Redekop is too busy being a lawyer and cashing in the TOFE pay cheques to care. Redekop also thinks we should hire a media person. Less than two weeks and he is asking for more staff. We are paying this new mayor over $100,000 per year ( all salaries connected with being mayor and perks). This new "media employee" will be doing his job, again he is too busy being a lawyer. Redekop is quite capable of preparing "positive media releases", however what I think he wants to avoid is dealing with Mr. JT. In my opinion this media person will be putting out the fires started by Mr. JT, remember the 'prostitute and John comments and Fort Erie is closed for business, and the " Why does the province hate us " I can go on. My guess is Redekop will not follow thru with his campaign promises not to support the Race Track with tax payers money, He will blame the rest of council commenting he only has one vote. With a new council he has a lot of influence should he choose to use it, my guess he will not even try.

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  27. On the blog Taxpayers for Fort Erie George McD. states that "Reports of tax increases are shear folly and simply NOT TRUE. Really George...welcome to the real world. You slept through the Treasurer at Council telling you it would be over 8%...What is your magic wand to make it got away. Lets see. You could reduce staff wages by 10% or get rid of the expensive EDTC and let the Region Economic Development office do a good job for us or you could tell all the service clubs with hands out that the well is dry or how about this Georgie..all Council who ran to help their community give back their salaries and benefits and become true servants of their community....and last but by far not least tell JT to take a racetrack hike and spend the half million he wants on the Community issues. Otherwise George "Taxpayer for Fort Erie " will be us at over 8%. Are you truly on the taxpayers side or just more political bs to get yourself elected to run with the big dogs. Recorded votes please on EVERYTHING . We will be watching you.

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  28. Mayor Redekop better follow thru on the promise of no more TOFE tax dollars to prop up JT and his track. Too much money down that sinking hole already. We know the Barbie girls are tight with JT so Mr Mayor better stand firm,,,he was elected on the issue of that promise to the taxpayers of this Town.He better keep it and spend the half million where it will do some good.

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  29. Mayor Redekop does not need a public relations person, I voted for him because he was the only one that could deliver dignity and wherewithal to pull our town together.

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  30. I voted for him because he unequivitably said he would not give JT $500.000 of our money to continue running a track that costs over $200,000 to open each and every day. Close it for two days and save the Towns money. If the Province wants to blow 7 million on a lost cause let them. Wynne has blown a lot more on less.

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  31. That he would "not support the idea "of giving the money mentioned to the muddy white elephant. Still as we already know not supporting ANY idea before council means very little with only one vote in the hands of Mr.Red. The record shows he can and will vote in the event of a tie. That would be where we would see on which side of the bread he puts his butter on. The current makeup of the council makes ties like this pretty unlikely. He hasent been a lawyer for this long without knowing how to use words and be able to play it safe when necessary.Maybe someone better carve one of those little wooden signs to put on the mayors desk for the next 4 years, "I WAS OUTVOTED"and one for JT's desk made of gold.."I WOULD BE MAYOR BUT THIS IS EASIER". One for the average taxpayers desk made of used cardboard "OUCH"

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  32. In any registered vote tie or not the Mayor must vote, if he chooses to abstain it is a no vote. He "may" vote on any matter tie or not this is "our town's" procedure. When he was mayor before on issues that he thought important, he would after the vote is taken indicate how he would have voted if he choose to. Stating for the record I am in favor of this or the alternative. He has many ways of letting us know his position, but will he? My guess he will blame the rest of council and do nothing. Hey then he can let the "new media staff person" deal with the fall out. How nice would that be. Any bets on who he has in mind for the position? My guess it will be someone with ties to the town all ready, perhaps it is time to pay back a favor?

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  33. New media staff position? See, job creation already!! Hope its a lady. In case of cameras present clothing can make a big impression. Hair too. If dealing with self centred buffoons like the Theebilator might need some girl with the glare of Marg Thatcher, the sneaky talent with wordspin like Hillclint and the dopey "look, I was only doing my job" talent of Sarpal of Alaska to make any progress with the wing fed bald headed horsebutt stroker with his ride the buffalo business associates. Hey, its only money. One new job already! Progress! Moving in the right direction! Lets work together! Where are the app forms for that position at the trough?

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  34. As Yogi Berra once said "It's deja vu. all over again" The last time Wayne was Mayor he thought of a way to spend the Slot revenue, a make work program, except it made work for out of towners, the spending spree , ate up our slot millions in no time, So we hired a Town Lawyer, then we hired an EDTC head, then a guy a supposed to be planning expert, Mostacci these people were never given a probation period , they received sweetheart contracts , Industry would have vetted these people before putting them on the payroll , after all of the money was gone we had to pay them, to get rid of them, they left behind chaos , but they left with bulging pockets and the tax-payers had egg on their collective faces, as we voted that dumb Council in. So the guy who presided over that mess is now in the drivers seat. again. GOOD LUCK with that.!!!

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  35. Its dificult to make predictions, especially about the future. A wise man once said that things are more like they are now then they ever were before. The answer was, if things dont change soon theyre going to stay the same. Hey, it can always get worse, then again it can always get better. Must hand it to the last blogger, the first to use the word "industry" in a long time. That is not a word thrown around in these parts very often. Jobs, producing somthing of value, long term thinking using talent to develop training and employment placement, partnerships where the retireing experienced employees help new hired associates to pick up and improve what has been worked on and developed so far. Nope dont hear that kind of talk here much. Could be if we had the kind of leadership the young people living here deserve. Sure need someone with that kind of background. Barristers as political leaders? Lot of talk, and a competent leader of the sheep, but someone to actually produce something of value? Its never too late, lets hope the lights come on in little mayor reds head and he helps helps this town to become what it can be productive, positive and forward thinking. Lets work together, more than a slogan.

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  36. It's so sad to read about people like him, why being selfish if you know that it's wrong. We have to learn to do good to others for the Creator above is watching us. For in this way, we will experience the real happiness not the temporary one. All worldly things like money and fame will not be carried by us when we die.

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  37. The final passing of the Act to allow the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate School Boards and Municipal Councils, in the event they do something, that is alleged to be illegal or conflict of interest , became law after 3rd and final reading on December the 9th of December 2014, this will help keep our Town Council on the straight and narrow, hopefully. Andre Marin the Ombudsman will be hiring more young and eager legal eagles to start cleaning up our corrupt and unaccountable politicians. and, throw out the rotten apples, finally.

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  38. Did anyone get the name of that truck that hit Bay Beach the Ninnys ask? It was called the Molinaro group. More like a train really, with the Molinaros as the lead engine and a series of empty box cars following behind hoping to fill up once this crazy train came to a stop.Bay Beach Waterfront Park actually. A train within sight of a public space isnt all that bad of an idea, after all look at the engine (now) behind the fire station. But that specimen is somthing we can be proud of. It is an example of preserving some of the past for the next generation to enjoy. Quite unlike the Molinaro special that was to arrive on public land, build a monolith then leave.Nothing to be proud of there, except it allowed a few greedy individuals to show their hand. Now we know.

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  39. In response to Online personal trainer, I admire your sentiments but hasten to add that so much of human behaviour makes sense if seen from the perspective of Narcisistic Personality Disorder. This is the terrain of no empathy or remorse. Check out Sam Vaknin's youtube channel - very enlightening.

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  40. Andre Marin will have a field day with the Marina Butler case...How a potential candidate for political office can financially back a lawsuit against a member of sitting Council and then successfully run agaist that sitting member and oust him from office. That baffles me as it sets a serious precedence and sets a scenario for dirty politics. Sue someone for any reason and then successfully campaign against them for their seat on Council..Marin is going to love this one.

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    1. Also, the Whistleblower Website has 10 cases "with merit" and one already before Andre Marin. I do know that people from Fort Erie did contact the website with concerns about the lawsuits. Let's hope that Marin takes a good, long look at the situation in Fort Erie.

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  41. I have been watching Gary Fraser for some time now. He advertises himself as a millionaire who is going to transform Crystal beach. He was living on Oxford Ave until recently but has moved to parts unknown, So far I haven't noticed him selling any of his projects and at the prices he's asking I'm not surprised.
    Some of his projects are advertised by one or more mortgage brokers as a good investment in mortgage derivatives. These investments don't have to paid back until the property is sold although monthly interest must be paid.
    On Oxford ave, a new house is being built by Riverview Homes on a lot that GF bought last year. Price is a ridiculous 600k. I don't know if Riverview Homes is in cahoots with GF or was just hired to build the house.
    When I first heard about him, I thought this would good for the area with new homes being built. Since then it has become clear that he has some other agenda. I'm sure it will not be good for Crystal Beach.

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  42. He lives at 613 Ridge Road North, across from RCBHS in the big, white and green house. You will see the piles of logs from his forest-destruction, behind the house. This, he claims, is to make way for the $3-4million house with tennis courts, that he will be building there in the 'next year or so'.

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