Gordon Prentice at Large - Politics in Newmarket
- Details
- Written by: Bill Chadwick
The Shrink Slessor Square Residents Group is proud to launch an online auction today.
For the success of our cause we need your participation!
Click here to browse the items, then scroll to the top of the page to register to bid.
If you have problems with this link, cut and paste this to your browser: http://www.charityauctionorganizer.com/auction/ShrinkSlessorSquare then select “Catalog” to browse.
Please share this note and spread the word!
Still looking for a gift for that someone special?
Use the ‘Buy Now’ option and you don’t have to wait for the auction to close on Saturday January 5th at 4pm.
No need to use your credit card.No payment until the service or item is delivered.
Bookmark this link, and check back frequently for new items!
Here is a sample of services and items on offer:
* Three hours of expert tutoring
* Free labour to paint the walls of one room
* A 4 wheel electric scooter
* Three hours of help from a skilled “handyman”
* Nordic Track Ski trainer
* Three hours of coaching on Word, Excel, or Powerpoint
What talents or “valuables” can you donate?
Or do you have any questions on this event?
Contact
Now lets have some silent auction fun by clicking here.
- Details
- Written by: Gordon Prentice
Last night, Newmarket councillors gave the go-ahead to staff to engage outside legal and planning experts to help the Town resist plans by the Slessors to develop the site of their former car dealership, directly opposite Upper Canada Mall.
You can read the report from the Town’s solicitor, Esther Armchuk-Ball, here. Open the Council agenda for 17 December 2012 and scroll to the Corporate Services Report – Legal Services (item 11).
The Slessors are going to the Ontario Municipal Board, claiming the Council has been dragging its feet, unable or unwilling to make a decision on the matter. The Slessors original planning application for 29 and 26 storey towers will be decided by the OMB if an alternative proposal, proposed by the Slessors at the eleventh hour, is rejected by the Town.
The alternative – the so-called settlement offer - is just as bad as the original.
The Slessors are trying to squeeze as much as they can onto their tight 4.6 acre site. There is next to no difference in density between the original application and the settlement option.
Last night, Newmarket councillors made the right decision (to commission outside experts to help prepare the case against the Slessors’ monster development) but the debate was conducted in camera, behind closed doors, at the request of Ward 7 councillor, Chris Emanuel.
We were told this was to allow councillors to get candid legal advice from the Town’s top in-house lawyer before moving to the vote.
After an hour, the Council reconvened in open session but there was next to no debate on the substantive issue – the merits or otherwise of the Slessor development.
Instead, councillors unanimously carried a motion directing legal counsel and staff to represent the Town of Newmarket at the OMB hearing starting on 19 February.
A second motion, authorising staff to engage outside experts if the Slessor application goes to a full OMB hearing in April, proved to be more controversial with Dave Kerwin and Maddie Di Muccio voting against.
Cllr Kerwin did not let us into his thinking why he was voting against.
Maddie Di Muccio is never so coy. She tells us she doesn’t want the Town to get to a full OMB hearing. She complains she hasn’t been briefed on the substance of the application.
So she would be voting against.
No surprises there.
So, what next?
We shall be calling another meeting in January to update everyone on the latest developments.
And, in the meantime, we shall be preparing our own critique of the two Slessor applications, outlining reasons why, in both cases, they should be rejected.
Postscript:
Earlier, Maddie Di Muccio votes against allocating a further $38,000 to the existing $65,000 Glenway Development Applications Planning Consultant Budget.
This support from the Town is crucially important to Glenway residents and will help them defend their neighbourhood against the predatory outfit, Marianneville Development Ltd, who want to build on the fairways of the old golf course and change utterly the character of the area.
When it comes to the interests of developers and the interests of residents we know whose side Maddie is on.
- Details
- Written by: Gordon Prentice
Newmarket Council will be considering its approach to Slessor Square tonight (17 December) at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Municipal Offices, 395 Mulock Drive.
The meeting is open to the public.
The more the merrier.
Bill Chadwick, speaking for the Shrink Slessor Square Residents' Group, will be addressing the Council at 7pm on the dot so come along and show your support.
The agenda for tonight's meeting can be found here. Go to Reports of Committees and Staff, item 11 on page 2.