Officers
Sally Graves-President
Mary Ann Downs Strath -Vice Pres.
Hans Schonewille-Treasurer
Maureen O'Connell-Secretary
Kathy Reid-Director
Our Next Meeting is on:
Wednesday March 3rd at 6:30pm
at the Crystal Chandelier Restaurant on Erie and Ridgeway Rds.
Bring a friend and make a difference!
Wednesday March 3rd at 6:30pm
at the Crystal Chandelier Restaurant on Erie and Ridgeway Rds.
Bring a friend and make a difference!
The Friends of Crystal Beach would like to thank all those concerned community members who came to the Town Council meeting on January 25th to have their voices heard on the rezoning issue regarding the Molinaro Development presently being proposed for Crystal Beach. The Council Chambers were filled to standing room capacity and the atrium was full as well. Those that took the time to call or email the Mayor and Councillors because of their inability to be present at the meeting are to be commended as well. This together with the hospital issue and the speedway issue show that this community will not be ignored and will take the necessary steps to make their feelings known to the elected officials. Our Mayor has stated on many an occasion that he hopes the "powers to be" will listen to the people of Fort Erie on the Hospital issue. It is our hope that the Mayor himself does not turn his back on the huge number of residents that have spoken out against this inappropriate development plan for Bay Beach.
After the Jan 25th meeting statistics were published in various papers indicating a strong two to one majority of speakers against the Molinaro Development. However we thought it might be a bit more accurate if we provided further statistics gathered over the last two years. Comments regarding the Molinaro Development were invited by the Town Staff at the two Open Houses so that they could get a feeling as to the communities thoughts on the proposed project for Bay Beach. The results were 113 people responded opposing the Molinaro Plan while 20 supported it. That is a 5 to 1 ratio against the Molinaro Development.
For those that would like to see the comments submitted to Town Hall in regard to the Molinaro Development and the rezoning amendment you may do so by following these directions:
Here's how to find the 3 batches of public comments posted on the Town's website:
1. Click on this link: http://forterie.fileprosite.com/contentengine/launch.asp
2. Click on Final Agendas (top left).
3. Click on 2010.
4. Click on the link for the first report (January 25 - Council-in-Committee - Html)
5. Scroll down and click on the first "paper clip" link (in section 8 B).
6. After you have read these comments, go back and click on the second report (January 25 - Council-in-Committee - ADDENDUM)
7. After you have read these comments, go back and click on the third report (January 25 - Council-in-Committee - ADDENDUM #2)
When we add the 358 proxies that were spoken for by their representatives at the Council Meeting, along with the 300+ residents who signed petitions when we canvassed areas in Greater Fort Erie, and the 517 people who signed letters that were submitted to Town Hall stating their dissatisfaction with the proposed Molinaro Development, that moves the ratio to 65 to 1 in favor of those who are against the proposed Molinaro Development project. We have also been told that over 500 people signed a petition at the "Keep the Bay Beach Lands Public" rally in June and those too were submitted to Town Hall. If that is the case the ratio would rise to 90 to 1 against the proposed project. Another fact we would like to add is that we distributed over 900 lawn signs(similar to the one below) to those who requested them from us. And finally, in 2008 over 3100 people who came to our community to use the beach thought it was a bad idea to sell off (the Town is giving away)any portion of the existing Bay Beach properties. We thought it very telling that people who came from all over Canada, Europe and the United States to our Fort Erie community could see the value of using this property to bring people back again and again whether it was to summer here, rent seasonal cottages, or for just a day trip now and again. During the time we have spent talking to the members of our community we have not seen the slightest trace of a "Silent Majority".
After the Jan 25th meeting statistics were published in various papers indicating a strong two to one majority of speakers against the Molinaro Development. However we thought it might be a bit more accurate if we provided further statistics gathered over the last two years. Comments regarding the Molinaro Development were invited by the Town Staff at the two Open Houses so that they could get a feeling as to the communities thoughts on the proposed project for Bay Beach. The results were 113 people responded opposing the Molinaro Plan while 20 supported it. That is a 5 to 1 ratio against the Molinaro Development.
For those that would like to see the comments submitted to Town Hall in regard to the Molinaro Development and the rezoning amendment you may do so by following these directions:
Here's how to find the 3 batches of public comments posted on the Town's website:
1. Click on this link: http://forterie.fileprosite.com/contentengine/launch.asp
2. Click on Final Agendas (top left).
3. Click on 2010.
4. Click on the link for the first report (January 25 - Council-in-Committee - Html)
5. Scroll down and click on the first "paper clip" link (in section 8 B).
6. After you have read these comments, go back and click on the second report (January 25 - Council-in-Committee - ADDENDUM)
7. After you have read these comments, go back and click on the third report (January 25 - Council-in-Committee - ADDENDUM #2)
When we add the 358 proxies that were spoken for by their representatives at the Council Meeting, along with the 300+ residents who signed petitions when we canvassed areas in Greater Fort Erie, and the 517 people who signed letters that were submitted to Town Hall stating their dissatisfaction with the proposed Molinaro Development, that moves the ratio to 65 to 1 in favor of those who are against the proposed Molinaro Development project. We have also been told that over 500 people signed a petition at the "Keep the Bay Beach Lands Public" rally in June and those too were submitted to Town Hall. If that is the case the ratio would rise to 90 to 1 against the proposed project. Another fact we would like to add is that we distributed over 900 lawn signs(similar to the one below) to those who requested them from us. And finally, in 2008 over 3100 people who came to our community to use the beach thought it was a bad idea to sell off (the Town is giving away)any portion of the existing Bay Beach properties. We thought it very telling that people who came from all over Canada, Europe and the United States to our Fort Erie community could see the value of using this property to bring people back again and again whether it was to summer here, rent seasonal cottages, or for just a day trip now and again. During the time we have spent talking to the members of our community we have not seen the slightest trace of a "Silent Majority".
If you oppose this type of development on YOUR waterfront property make sure your voice is heard loud and clear by our Mayor and Town Council. This building does not in anyway fit in with the Neighborhood Plan that has been developed and accepted by our Town. This is a classic example of a "square peg trying to be forced into a round hole". As we canvassed Greater Fort Erie this summer we found person after person who disagreed with this development plan. It is now time for each of us to come forward and let the Mayor and Council know our position on giving away ANY of our waterfront property. Do not be fooled by the argument that "we are getting free amentities" with the development so this is reason to accept giving away such a crucial portion of public land. There are other ways of funding amentities, other towns have done it for decades. The Region, the Province and the Federal Government have all announced their support for improving waterfront lands. There are grants available to do the same. Community groups like ourselves are also committed to help make the Bay Beach properties something that our community can be proud of, like the Friendship Trail, Sugar Bowl Park and the Niagara Riverwalk.
