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.
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