Friday, August 8, 2014

New neighbourhood: South Coast Village

New neighbourhood: South Coast Village



Great video highlighting Crystal Beach and in particular, the South Coast Village under construction on the former arena and parking lot grounds of the Crystal Beach Amusement Park.  What a great life to the community.  Mayor Martin seemed a little surprised that a development is getting such a warm welcome from the locals.  Could be that it's the exact type of development that is right for Crystal Beach.  

Thanks for giving our little "hidden gem" some much-needed positive publicity.

WARNING TO CANDIDATES PROMISING JOBS

Canada's unemployment rate edged down to 

seven per cent in 

July, with just 200 new jobs created, 

according to Statistics Canada.

 

 The article goes on to report that "On an annual basis, employment increased by 115,000 jobs, with most of the work part time and no increase in total hours worked compared with July 2013."

 It would seem that those seeking local political office will have little or no effect on job creation when the national stats report a mere 200 new jobs nation wide.  That would probably mean that, statistically, Fort Erie got about a half of a new part time job, which is really no laughing matter. There are 1.3 million unemployed in Canada and Fort Erie has a much higher unemployment rate than the seven percent national average.  It is a huge problem in our community.  

Candidates who promise jobs might want to look at the stats before they make such lofty promises. Sure, there are ways to help the local economy that may result in jobs, but most new jobs are often offset by job loss due to plants closing and businesses failing.

Of course, it does fall under the mandate of the local economic development department  to work with local lawmakers to create a friendly business environment. Except Fort Erie doesn't have an economic development department working out of town hall, directly accountable to council.  It has an arm's length corporation operating out of a separate location under the leadership of a two hat wearing egomaniac who is obsessed with the racetrack.

Can the voters un-elect Jim Thibert, our economic development czar? Of course not.  What
needs to be done is that the EDTC be returned to town hall as a department. No non-elected official should have the power that Thibert wields without accountability.  He has misused his power and he has defied a Freedom of Information ruling by still not providing information about the EDTC as ordered.

Ask yourselves just how long have things been going downhill in Fort Erie? Certainly not just in the last four years as some would have you believe.  This council brought in the lowest tax increase in years yet all people hear about is the "problems with four councillors" and a vicious and vexatious lawsuit endorsed by the mayor, the head of the EDTC and a couple of councillors.

Soon, the voters of Fort Erie will be able to see for themselves just how far these people have gone to destroy the reputations of the four councillors.

It can't come soon enough for me.


 

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