If anyone needs an example why Tony Van Bynen should not be re-elected this fall, then watch this week's council meeting (archived on the www.newmarket.ca website). Clearly, our current Mayor has been watching archived recordings of the North Korean Politburo because he is modelling his style of chairing meetings after tyrant Kim Jung Un.
It shows a lack of confidence in his own platform with the way that he deals with questions that challenge him. If he thought his plan through, he would have all the answers.
And the same example is permeating the various ward races. There are many candidates who will openly criticize the incumbents' voting records on various issues. Almost none would dare to criticize Tony Van Bynen, even though he is the person who actually instructed his bloc how to vote. It is almost as though new candidates fear reprisals if they are critical of our current Mayor.
It isn't clear why Tony Van Bynen feels he needs to control everyone all the time. After all he has accomplished very little in his tenure and if elected again, I don't expect that he will achieve much afterward either.
Let's summarize Tony Van Bynen's "accomplishments" as Mayor Newmarket:
1) Shared Digital Infrastructure - millions of dollars poured into scanning back issues of the Era and some personal papers belonging to heiress Belinda Stronach while our public library fails to meet the grade as far as books and other resources are concerned.
2) Magna Centre Construction - at almost double the cost because of the mayor's folly regarding the MayStar lawsuit.
3) Rapid Bus Lane Construction - years behind schedule and tens of millions over budget
4) Old Town Hall Restoration - now double the original costs and years behind schedule
There is not a whole lot to recommend the mayor for re-election.
Saturday 30 August 2014
Sunday 24 August 2014
Why the Davis Construction is Such a Cock Up
A Newmarket resident tweeted some important advice to the Town of Newmarket. Apparently, while walking, she was almost struck by a car as she crossed Davis Drive at Main St. She noticed that cars turning left were blind to pedestrians because of the construction fencing that obstructed drivers' view.
The Town of Newmarket twitter account replied and informed her that they have passed the message on to York Region.
The York Region twitter account then acknowledged that they have forwarded the message on to Viva Next.
Then, (and it would be funny if the potential consequences weren't so tragic), the woman tweeted that she was again almost struck by another vehicle at the same intersection just a few days later.
So while our local municipal government bodies are playing "pass the buck" with this pedestrian's safety, ordinary people are still at risk of being run over in traffic at the corner of Davis and Main.
All that has to be done is to address the positioning of the construction fencing.
What we don't need is for the Town of Newmarket, York Region, and Viva Next to say, "It's not my problem."
The Town of Newmarket twitter account replied and informed her that they have passed the message on to York Region.
The York Region twitter account then acknowledged that they have forwarded the message on to Viva Next.
Then, (and it would be funny if the potential consequences weren't so tragic), the woman tweeted that she was again almost struck by another vehicle at the same intersection just a few days later.
So while our local municipal government bodies are playing "pass the buck" with this pedestrian's safety, ordinary people are still at risk of being run over in traffic at the corner of Davis and Main.
All that has to be done is to address the positioning of the construction fencing.
What we don't need is for the Town of Newmarket, York Region, and Viva Next to say, "It's not my problem."
Sunday 17 August 2014
Drinking and Driving is a Newmarket Election Issue
3 years have passed since Chris Emanuel plead guilty to driving while impaired. Here is the Toronto Star reporting on this crime: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2011/08/16/councillor_fined_for_driving_drunk.html
This story, in the context of a municipal election, is more relevant than ever.
Voters in Ward 7 won't be able to vote Emanuel out of office. He isn't running for re-election.
But the Mayor, who downplayed Emanuel's crime as the folly of youth, can certainly be held to account. The Mayor's antagonistic attitude towards community members who were appalled by the crime showed a man who was out of touch with ethical standards.
So should Regional Councillor Taylor be held to account. It was Taylor who pleaded against demanding Emanuel's council resignation. Taylor promised us that Emanuel was essential in blocking the Glenway development. It turns out that Emanuel's involvement in this dispute only increased the number of homes to be built through an ill-advised 'all or nothing' OMB hearing.
Councillor Kerwin called Emanuel a friend and spoke about the work that Emanuel did on council. Voters should challenge Kerwin to name a successful council initiative led by Emanuel in the past three years. There aren't any.
And finally, council hopeful Kelly Broome Plumley needs to answer for her decision to name Emanuel a community hero via a New Roads Kia blog. The corporate headquarters of Kia Canada had to formally denounce that move in light of Kia's support of MADD Canada. It was a serious lapse in judgement and a slap in the face of all victims of drunk drivers.
While voters may not be able to punish Councillor Emanuel's misdeeds, there are others on the ballot who should face voters' wrath. When the candidate knocks on your door, please tell them where you stand on the issue of drinking and driving.
This story, in the context of a municipal election, is more relevant than ever.
Voters in Ward 7 won't be able to vote Emanuel out of office. He isn't running for re-election.
But the Mayor, who downplayed Emanuel's crime as the folly of youth, can certainly be held to account. The Mayor's antagonistic attitude towards community members who were appalled by the crime showed a man who was out of touch with ethical standards.
So should Regional Councillor Taylor be held to account. It was Taylor who pleaded against demanding Emanuel's council resignation. Taylor promised us that Emanuel was essential in blocking the Glenway development. It turns out that Emanuel's involvement in this dispute only increased the number of homes to be built through an ill-advised 'all or nothing' OMB hearing.
Councillor Kerwin called Emanuel a friend and spoke about the work that Emanuel did on council. Voters should challenge Kerwin to name a successful council initiative led by Emanuel in the past three years. There aren't any.
And finally, council hopeful Kelly Broome Plumley needs to answer for her decision to name Emanuel a community hero via a New Roads Kia blog. The corporate headquarters of Kia Canada had to formally denounce that move in light of Kia's support of MADD Canada. It was a serious lapse in judgement and a slap in the face of all victims of drunk drivers.
While voters may not be able to punish Councillor Emanuel's misdeeds, there are others on the ballot who should face voters' wrath. When the candidate knocks on your door, please tell them where you stand on the issue of drinking and driving.
Sunday 10 August 2014
The First Attack Ad of the Municipal Campaign Comes from Tony Van Bynen
Tony Van Bynen must have had a bad week.
After weeks of negative public feedback about his Davis Drive debacle, he's resorted to what he does best: attacking the person who has brought it to light: Councillor Di Muccio.
In Tony Van Bynen's "positive" Newmarket, when things get desperate, it's best he attack through third parties - regardless of how fringe they might be.
Last week, Councillor Di Muccio wrote a blog asking why a member of Tony Van Bynen's and ward 6 candidate Kelly Broome Plumley's campaign team was encouraging Davis Drive businesses to make a claim against York Region, with the use of tax payer dollars, for the inconvenience of lost revenue that construction may have had on their businesses. Councillor Di Muccio (presumably out of respect) didn't name the individual who made the claims in her blog. She wrote this blog because after speaking with management at York Region, she discovered there was no such compensation. In fact, Van Bynen opponent, Chris Campbell, confirmed Councillor Di Muccio's position with his own phone calls to York Region.
Something smells bad at the Old Boy Club Headquarters in Newmarket.
What is a desperate Mayor Van Bynen to do? Ask one of his acolytes to attack Councillor Di Muccio through his opponent's campaign team.
Here's an email I received from Councillor Di Muccio this morning. It was written by a member of Mayor candidate Chris Campbell's campaign team:
"...this Doug Brown guy is Chris Campbells election campaign social media guy. I sat next to him the other day (editor's note: at Chris Campbell's campaign meeting) and he sent me a FB friend request. He seemed reasonable in past FB posts and had no reason to be concerned. I can't believe what he posted on FB about your opinion on the fact or fiction of any reported financial assistance to businesses on Davis Drive.
After weeks of negative public feedback about his Davis Drive debacle, he's resorted to what he does best: attacking the person who has brought it to light: Councillor Di Muccio.
In Tony Van Bynen's "positive" Newmarket, when things get desperate, it's best he attack through third parties - regardless of how fringe they might be.
Last week, Councillor Di Muccio wrote a blog asking why a member of Tony Van Bynen's and ward 6 candidate Kelly Broome Plumley's campaign team was encouraging Davis Drive businesses to make a claim against York Region, with the use of tax payer dollars, for the inconvenience of lost revenue that construction may have had on their businesses. Councillor Di Muccio (presumably out of respect) didn't name the individual who made the claims in her blog. She wrote this blog because after speaking with management at York Region, she discovered there was no such compensation. In fact, Van Bynen opponent, Chris Campbell, confirmed Councillor Di Muccio's position with his own phone calls to York Region.
Something smells bad at the Old Boy Club Headquarters in Newmarket.
What is a desperate Mayor Van Bynen to do? Ask one of his acolytes to attack Councillor Di Muccio through his opponent's campaign team.
Here's an email I received from Councillor Di Muccio this morning. It was written by a member of Mayor candidate Chris Campbell's campaign team:
"...this Doug Brown guy is Chris Campbells election campaign social media guy. I sat next to him the other day (editor's note: at Chris Campbell's campaign meeting) and he sent me a FB friend request. He seemed reasonable in past FB posts and had no reason to be concerned. I can't believe what he posted on FB about your opinion on the fact or fiction of any reported financial assistance to businesses on Davis Drive.
Chris Campbell posted on his blog exactly the same opinion as you (editor's note - referring to Councillor Di Muccio) , as confirmed by the Region and Viva Next contacts he spoke with confirming that no financial assistance available to Davis Drive businesses directly opposing Jim Alexander's comments yet Campbell's social media guy trashes you for having the same exact opinion? This is totally berzerko world?
I smell a trap being set and caution is advised with this guy.....Either Chris Campbell doesn't know that his social media guy is a Tony Van Bynen plant or Chris Campbell himself is a Tony Van Bynen plant.
Something stinks here.. Newmarket politics is truly messed up."
Who is Doug Brown? Doug Brown is Newmarket Free Press (@newmktfreepress and @aralai), the same individual who posted the negative attack letter from Tony Van Bynen's ally, Jim Alexander. Most of Jim Alexander's negative letter is focused on attacking Councillor Di Muccio without actually defending his position of making claims against York Region in what we can only presume is a hush hush you-scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch-yours program.
How can Doug Brown attack Councillor Di Muccio when his own candidate, Chris Campbell, holds the same position as her?
There's only one easy answer: this is Tony Van Bynen's Newmarket.
And on voting day remember: it's yours too.
It's time to take it back.
Saturday 9 August 2014
Compensation for Davis Drive? Why not Glenway?
On January 8, 2013, I exposed the curious ties between the people behind the group opposing Slessor Square, the Glenway Preservation Association, the Town of Newmarket and the Newmarket Aurora Liberal Party Association. I think taxpayers would be wise to pay attention to these links because millions of your public funds have been spent at the behest/ direction of the very few people who cross over between these groups.
I recall that many Glenway home owners asked about compensation as a result of the Marianneville development. These home owners paid a premium to have a property that backed on to a lush golf course. With Mayor Van Bynen and the Glenway Preservation Association (lead by Ward 7 council hopeful Christina Bisanz, herself a former unsuccessful Liberal Party candidate), having bungled the OMB hearing, these same home owners are out of pocket 10's of thousands in terms of home equity. These home owners are victims of the Mayor and Glenway Preservation Association's insistence on playing hard ball with a developer who was very willing to negotiate for fewer homes. Hard ball tactics seldom lead to winning solutions.
The money lost by Glenway home owners in this fiasco will never be recovered. The lot premiums are gone. Residents depending on home equity for a secure retirement must make up that money in some other way.
Compare this scenario to another case of compensation, one that Mayor Van Bynen apparently approves of. A close ally of the Mayor is announcing that public funds will be made available to businesses along Davis Drive who have been hit by lost revenue due to the bus lane construction.
Pay no attention that, unlike Glenway homes, this construction inconvenience is only temporary.
And Newmarket taxpayer, pay no mind that the person who announced this compensation, has multiple locations and a large corporation behind him to ensure his brand will be just fine. Jim Alexander is not laying awake at night worrying about being able to afford retirement.
And finally, let's not busy our thoughts with the fact that the people who are forcing this bus lane through and forcing us to accommodate another 45,000 new residents are the Liberal Government at Queen's Park.
Because these same Liberal Party members want your vote, (including former Liberal Party candidates John Taylor and Christina Bisanz). And once they are on council, they'll be able to take care of their wealthy friends, like Jim Alexander, while ordinary home owners can go get stuffed.
I recall that many Glenway home owners asked about compensation as a result of the Marianneville development. These home owners paid a premium to have a property that backed on to a lush golf course. With Mayor Van Bynen and the Glenway Preservation Association (lead by Ward 7 council hopeful Christina Bisanz, herself a former unsuccessful Liberal Party candidate), having bungled the OMB hearing, these same home owners are out of pocket 10's of thousands in terms of home equity. These home owners are victims of the Mayor and Glenway Preservation Association's insistence on playing hard ball with a developer who was very willing to negotiate for fewer homes. Hard ball tactics seldom lead to winning solutions.
The money lost by Glenway home owners in this fiasco will never be recovered. The lot premiums are gone. Residents depending on home equity for a secure retirement must make up that money in some other way.
Compare this scenario to another case of compensation, one that Mayor Van Bynen apparently approves of. A close ally of the Mayor is announcing that public funds will be made available to businesses along Davis Drive who have been hit by lost revenue due to the bus lane construction.
Pay no attention that, unlike Glenway homes, this construction inconvenience is only temporary.
And Newmarket taxpayer, pay no mind that the person who announced this compensation, has multiple locations and a large corporation behind him to ensure his brand will be just fine. Jim Alexander is not laying awake at night worrying about being able to afford retirement.
And finally, let's not busy our thoughts with the fact that the people who are forcing this bus lane through and forcing us to accommodate another 45,000 new residents are the Liberal Government at Queen's Park.
Because these same Liberal Party members want your vote, (including former Liberal Party candidates John Taylor and Christina Bisanz). And once they are on council, they'll be able to take care of their wealthy friends, like Jim Alexander, while ordinary home owners can go get stuffed.
Thursday 7 August 2014
Friends of Tony Compensation Plan for Davis Drive
Over a year ago, before it became trendy to talk about it, I raised the alarm about the plight of small businesses on Davis Drive. You can read my July 24, 2013 blog here: http://www.nwkttownhall.blogspot.ca/2013/07/the-businesses-on-davis-drive-in.html
I read with a raised eyebrow that the owner of Tim Hortons is promoting some type of government compensation for lost business revenue due to the bus lane construction along Davis Drive. To wit. Jim Alexander writes (via Twitter) "Since the start the Region and VIVA included a process to claim for documented business loss. I am working thru it now."
As a Davis Drive business owner, I have never been contacted by anyone related to the loss revenue sustained by my business which resulted in lay offs to offset business losses.
Ward 6 Councillor, Maddie Di Muccio, has this to say about possible compensation: http://maddiedimuccio.webs.com/apps/blog/show/42555522-government-compensation-for-davis-drive-businesses-fact-or-fiction-
Now, I have no reason to doubt that Tim Hortons Newmarket (even though this owner has multiple locations in Newmarket and significant corporate advertising budgets to bolster his business) is receiving some taxpayer funds.
But I do doubt that there will be money for the rest of us. It simply won't happen.
If there is a going to funds made available, it will be done on the "Friends of Tony" basis. Long term businesses noted with some chagrin that Tim Hortons on Davis Drive received priority response to construction issues while the rest of us had large vehicles and pylons blocking drive ways. That's because he is a close friend and ally of Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen.
So when you promote your 5 for the Drive tweets, perhaps you should give the big conglomerates a pass and help out the smaller businesses. It will give Jim Alexander more time to work with the Region for compensation while the rest of us just hang on.
I read with a raised eyebrow that the owner of Tim Hortons is promoting some type of government compensation for lost business revenue due to the bus lane construction along Davis Drive. To wit. Jim Alexander writes (via Twitter) "Since the start the Region and VIVA included a process to claim for documented business loss. I am working thru it now."
As a Davis Drive business owner, I have never been contacted by anyone related to the loss revenue sustained by my business which resulted in lay offs to offset business losses.
Ward 6 Councillor, Maddie Di Muccio, has this to say about possible compensation: http://maddiedimuccio.webs.com/apps/blog/show/42555522-government-compensation-for-davis-drive-businesses-fact-or-fiction-
Now, I have no reason to doubt that Tim Hortons Newmarket (even though this owner has multiple locations in Newmarket and significant corporate advertising budgets to bolster his business) is receiving some taxpayer funds.
But I do doubt that there will be money for the rest of us. It simply won't happen.
If there is a going to funds made available, it will be done on the "Friends of Tony" basis. Long term businesses noted with some chagrin that Tim Hortons on Davis Drive received priority response to construction issues while the rest of us had large vehicles and pylons blocking drive ways. That's because he is a close friend and ally of Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen.
So when you promote your 5 for the Drive tweets, perhaps you should give the big conglomerates a pass and help out the smaller businesses. It will give Jim Alexander more time to work with the Region for compensation while the rest of us just hang on.
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