OK, if you want to post your thoughts on last night’s public meeting on the Heritage District Plan amendments to allow the Admiral project to go ahead, do so here. I’ll be posting in this spot on and off today, as the mood strikes…
Certainly after last night’s meeting, there was some huffing and puffing of our elected officials; it seems they took several comments to heart… well, only one comment, when Lee Bertouche made the statement that council appeared to be in someone’s “hip pocket.” Perhaps not the smartest statement you could make, especially when the anti-six-floor folks are trying to present a united and cogent front, and certainly not one that addressed the matter at hand.
Of course, her’s was not the only statement that made me sit up and scratch my head. Anne Snowdon pointing to Borg Madsen’s model of town hall and asking whether, in 100 years, he’d want to do something similar with Admiral Collingwood made me kind of laugh. Borg’s 91 right now… making him 191 in 100 years. Kinda difficult to craft something at that age unless we put him in a cyrogenic chamber…
Also, Councillor Ian Chadwick’s claim that the 2,500-name petition presented at the last council supported six stories also had me searching through the Interwebs… and, uh, no, the petition did not support six stories – it just supported that development move forward.
Councillor Sandy Cunningham’s claim that he has never accepted a dime from anyone is absolutely true. I offered him a dime after last night’s meeting, and he wouldn’t take it…
By the way, for those who could stick it out, there was some discussion about the public art policy; it’s being suggested the fire hall proposed for Heritage Park become a ‘canvas’ for a public art pilot project. My suggestion: a shirtless firefighter clutching a hose, a comely maiden at his feet, standing amongst the burning wreckage of a building. I’m pretty sure there’s an airbrushed 1975 Dodge van out there for inspiration. And Sandy can stand in as the model of the firefighter…
December 6, 2011 at 10:31 am
V O T E
Voice
Of
The
Ex-mayor Carrier
December 6, 2011 at 9:31 pm
And what are you trying to say? Straight up?
December 6, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Thanks for this forum, Scoop.
It’s been a long time since Collingwood has had such an excellent council. They are hard working, respectful of one another, willing to listen to the public, and all are dedicated to doing the best for our wonderful town. I have known the Mayor and most of the councillors for a very long time and feel fortunate to be able to call some friend.
While I enjoy the thrust and parry of a well argued debate, I was very disappointed last night at the public meeting for Admiral Collingwood Place. Ms. Bertouche’s comment questioning the honesty and integrity of our council was unacceptable and the fact that her speech was applauded by those in the audience, some of whom I know and respect, was upsetting. I hope that clearer heads prevail today and that the ugly remark is regretted. I respect my council. I do not respect name-callers and rumour mongers.
December 6, 2011 at 1:50 pm
I agree, Gary… name calling and inuendo has no place at a public meeting; the ‘hip pocket’ comment was completely out of line and only serves to hurt the credibility of those who are arguing in favour of limiting the height of the building to three stories. There were several well-reasoned arguments on that side, but the only comment people will remember is Lee’s…
December 6, 2011 at 9:31 pm
I’m not surprised that Chadwick was less than correct in his claim, so, no “new news” for me. Good research Scoop! We need good people keeping the keel steady.
December 7, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Wrote a good one, but who cares. All I can say is, “can’t fight City Hall.”
December 7, 2011 at 2:55 pm
The reaction of Collingwood’s Heritage supporters confuses. They vocally call for adherence to mystical regulations that are called on only when finding fault with the Admiral project. The Heritage Committee has compromised their position to allow construction but the articulate activists want to continue the fight with Collingwood Council.
It appears that the AA group want to destroy the Downtown Heritage District by insisting on strict adherence to inappropriate rules. Their demand for 1800s construction appearances ignores that Downtown Collingwood has changed and will continue to change. At some point,; the Collingwood Council will be obliged to withdraw the Downtown Heritage District bylaw with the support of most residents.
Presently heritage conservation is costing Collingwood taxpayers at least $1 million a year and there is little to show for it. There is no free lunch. Something has to give.
December 8, 2011 at 1:55 pm
Dick – please explain how heritage is costing taxpayers $1 million a year…
December 7, 2011 at 2:58 pm
We have a HUGE debt run up by the last council. Kids coming back from university in the summer have difficulty finding jobs. Many many commercial buildings on the main street sit empty. Family farms are disappearing. There are terrific plans for Central Park. We need a new fire hall. Plant closings and lay-offs have increased the unemployment rate. The world economy is soft and another recession may be on the way. How can we afford to say no to the current plans For Admiral Collingwood Place?
December 7, 2011 at 4:27 pm
If anyone is concerned about ‘Heritage,’ take a walk on Dundas from Bay St. to Spadina Ave. in the downtown core of Toronto. That’s heritage – all the way through China Town… Be careful what you wish for. Which is nicer? We have ‘New’ because ‘Old’ wasn’t good enough. Making a new building look old is beyond my understanding, but preserving and restoring existing buildings does make sense.
A Town budget should be outsourced to a capable firm, instead of using side-issues to deflect the budgetary incompetence. Someone has to come up with a well balanced budget – they call them ‘efficiency experts.’ More money (taxing) doesn’t fix money problems, changing spending habits does. Do we really believe that people are going to pay $500,000 to live across from the glass plant, smelling ethanol, with a new hiway extention. First will be ethanol, then glass, then town rebates for the homeowners because of the 26 bypass.
The town can’t afford not to carry on. Stores are empty, manufacturing jobs are gone, and suitable employment will be replaced by entry level service industry jobs. Cash in while you can, the real estate market has peaked, next… There will be more jobs and tax dollars, so we can pay more taxes because more town maintenance will be needed.
After all, two people working at two part-time jobs with split-shifts (equalling one income) will really take care of the community (while daycare is supplimented). Perhaps, attracting manufacturing jobs to Collingwood would be time better spent than arguing ‘new is better than old.’ A pretty town is no good to anyone who has to move because of increasing living costs. Cut out the bureaucratic B.S. and get going, LOOK AROUND.
December 7, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Scoop, about Mr. Dupe’s petition: it seems to me that it was presented to stop Carrier’s motion to rescind the HIA that had been passed by the previous council. Had Carrier bowed to the will of the people, the project would have continued at the 6 stories as had been approved. Building would have commenced. I and many others would have been living there before the most terrible credit crunch hit and the economic world turned upside down. That motion, in my opinion, marked the end of Carrier’s political career. Although I bought elsewhere and am happy here, I think the project needs to move ahead. Heritage is but one of many considerations that Council must weigh. I talk to many people. Residents fairly new to Collingwood talk about moving here for the mountain, the water, friendly people, walking and biking trails, lots of groups and activities, small town but near the airport, beautiful nature. Not one has ever mentioned our heritage buildings as the reason they settled here. Heritage is abundant in Southern Ontario. Not all places have Heritage Districts because they are thought to be too restrictive. No Kidding!!
December 7, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Stop the sprawl! Let Admiral be 10 stories. Get the folks walking around the downtown. Change is coming, get over it!
December 7, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Yea…that last paragraph….I could, under the right circumstances cast that in bronze… it would be nice…10 ft. tall, Sandy with his rugged outdoorsy face on…Miss comely in a romance novel pose..nice….Maybe to avoid the PG 18 people…an axe instead of a hose
December 8, 2011 at 10:24 am
I think Lee Bartouche and her distasteful remarks as well as her haughty friends and their bad attitudes should move. Collingwood is full of many fine people with many differing views who respect each other and know how to play nice. We elected an outstanding council to listen to the varying opinions and make the decision based on what is best for the whole town. It’s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. I don’t like how those folks play. We don’t need them.
December 9, 2011 at 7:06 am
Ah yes, the “Collingwood 500″. What a group of self indulgent losers.
December 8, 2011 at 11:56 am
As one who signed the 2500 signature petition presented to the previous Council in favour of the Admiral Collingwood Project, I was very well aware that the project was for 6 stories although the height was not mentioned in the petition.
The project was to balance the very large Shipyards project which, at the time included 6 story buildings. and to provide resident densification so the Collingwood downtown would have a chance for viability. Councillor Chadwick was right on with his comment on the building size.
December 8, 2011 at 1:37 pm
I do not recall saying the petition supported 6 storeys, but rather that it asked the council of the day to undo its decision to repeal the approvals which caused the six storey proposal to be killed. This is what i wrote back in 2007:
“A delegation of citizens will present a petition with more than 2,000 signatures demanding council undo its decision to repeal the Admiral Collingwood Place approvals that the previous council passed.”
Read more: http://www.ianchadwick.com/forum/index.php?/blog/1/entry-323-democracy-or-oligarchy/#ixzz1fy9GvzUP
December 8, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Check the tape – you said six stories. Otherwise I would not have written it…
December 8, 2011 at 2:55 pm
I think it’s clear that those who signed the petition wanted 6 stories or storeys. I think it’s clear that both Sandra and Rick campaigned on 6 stories from the time they kicked off their campaigns til election day. I think both won by huge majorities. I think it’s time to get the job done. I think we’re all tired of the talk, the wait, and the hole. Not all but most Collingwood residents will like it and say , what took soooooo long.
December 8, 2011 at 4:03 pm
If ya’ drink too much blue tequila, you begin to forget things councillor, but if you have ostentatious writing that resembles intelligence nobody will know about the dead brain cells. OOPS!
December 9, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Dear Family Guy,
If infact that is your name. Your remarks, althought not very helpfull, do say more about you, then they do about Councillor Chadwick.
December 10, 2011 at 10:25 am
As do your comments J M. Oh, and by the way, I’m not trying to help. I am, however, trying to provoke the expression of free thought. After all, that’s what this forum is for. You are right though, it was a cheap shot. For that I am sorry.
December 10, 2011 at 11:41 am
Dear Family Guy,
And thank you for permission to speak.
December 10, 2011 at 12:44 pm
It’s all good J M.
December 10, 2011 at 12:55 pm
“provoke the expression of free thought” Wow. Deep man! I always thought putting forth arguments was all about keeping things in context!
December 11, 2011 at 2:26 pm
“Dear Family Guy,
If infact that is your name…..”
I also suspect Family Guy is using an alias. There is nothing in the Collingwood telephone book between Faber and Farmer. Very suspicious if you ask me!
December 11, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Haggle wait until Faber hears that you used his name. He’ll ride off on his bike after he tells you off, and come and talk to you like nothing happened in 6-8 months.
December 11, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Dear “…if in fact that is your real name…” unbelievers:
I’ve been trying to find everyone’s phone number too. I’m suspicious that more than one of you might be using an alias. I think that the Registrar may have misspelled my name on my Birth Certificate. My parents were very mean to have named me Family Guy (Family Gay), but I had to go with it. I have an unlisted phone number, but only because of the fame.
I’m thinking that ‘Haggle’ and ‘The Cook’ might be Irish names, but I’m not sure. ‘Haggle’ could be Jewish or Scottish and ‘The Cook’ could also be French or Italian. Name origins, who knows? I don’t bug you guys about your names, so don’t hurt my feelings about mine. It’s not right, and it’s kinda’ mean…
December 13, 2011 at 7:36 am
Dear Family Guy,
Our name is in the big book….did you see it? Taking a cheap shot from the protection of an alias…….there is a difference between making a point and running off at the mouth. That’s just what I think.
Signed
J. McCaffrey
December 13, 2011 at 1:13 pm
I’ve known who and where you are for almost a year. I may have been less than a foot away from you more than once. What you do is your business, and what I do is mine. You are obviously living in the past if you feel comfortable with the world knowing your business, and not realizing the dangers of doing so. The children in the schools are even warned about giving out personal information on the internet. Perhaps you missed that day. For media purposes some people are almost obligated to use his and her real name, but… Stop acting like a child if you don’t know what you are writing about, not talking about… writing about. I was always under the impression that you were a nice hard working guy, but… Go to Vpike and look at your house. Anyone in the world can do it genius.
December 13, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Please, J and Family Guy don’t make it negative. Family Guy apologised for his comment. I too have read the councillor’s blog about tequila and the interest he seems to possess for it. It’s not a secret that too much tequila can kill brain cells and damage the renal system in humans. I’m thinking that Family Guy was just joking around. And, shame on you Family Guy for being so foolish with the credibility of our town council.