The Lake Report Could Matters Before the Court
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Strawberries Lakereport.ca / Niagaranow.com kick off summer Hyper-local news for Niagara-on-the-Lake festivals The Story on Page 24 Vol.Lake 2, Issue 22 Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Report first independent newspaper June 6, 2019 Local gelato maker wins international bronze award Story on Page 17 Niagara-on-the-Lake Sailing Club members John and Chris Mills stand in lake water covering the docks. RICHARD HARLEY Affordable The deck is under water housing Sailing club members are wearing Town warns residents project rubber boots to get to their boats to prepare for floods cancelled by developer Story on Page 2 Story on Page 7 Story on Page 3 Hotel planned for Old Town property Story on Page 3 233 King Street | (905) 468-8600 PAULA AITKEN bosleyniagararealestate.com SALES REPRESENTATIVE [email protected] Direct: 289.407.3925 BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD., BROKERAGE Page 2 June 6, 2019 NEWS That’s what makes our Community Pharmacy different. www.simpsonspharmacy.ca Water level causes a hassle at sailing club Richard Harley sailing club. John said the Editor high levels were creating dangerous conditions for boat When Chris and John Mills launchers, who couldn’t see went sailing Sunday, they where the edge of the dock both wore rubber boots — was, made worse by cars otherwise they might as well driving through the parking anymore, but somewhere in run into it.” (the water out) the other end and you could actually see have gone for a swim, too. lot and making the water that parking lot it goes from “Mind you, right now the … they changed how they in the very beginning of the The Niagara-on-the-Lake muddy and murky. (inches deep) to 12, 13 feet in boat probably floats above control the lake levels.” year when we put the boats in Sailing Club members had “They were worried that one step. So it’s dangerous, (the dock) so you’d probably Another problem was the that the oil was in the water a to wade through almost six when they were launching too,” Chris said. run into the fence before you water started taking oil off of little bit.” inches of water to get to their boats the lift couldn’t see For some boaters it’s be- hit the dock,” Chris added. the parking lot, said Chris. While things are under boat — watching their foot- where the edges were and come a hassle getting in and “The other thing is, it’s “So what they normally do control for now, both Mills ing on what is now a slippery, they were afraid they were out of their spots at the dock. all OK right now, but what is they oil the parking lot in boys wonder what will hap- algae-covered dock, fully going to drive right off into “The docking’s not too bad happens if there’s a storm, or the summer because it gets pen if the water level rises immersed in the lake. the water.” just yet. It’s just craziness,” what happens if some idiot dusty. It’s kinda like what even more. Rubber boots are a com- The club has since closed said John. “When I’m com- goes by with a power boat they do on any dirt road, but “Ah well,” John said, walk- mon sight at the sailing club off the parking lot to vehicles ing in I can’t see where this with a big wake? What hap- when the water came up it ing away in rubber boots now, with the water level to help reduce the murkiness, front dock is, so when you’re pens?” John said. actually pulled a lot of the oil that could handle a few more in Lake Ontario at a record he said. coming in, you come in dead He said the lake levels off and put it into the water, inches. high. But wet feet isn’t the “They’ve got it all fenced slow and you have to be care- haven’t been the same since biggest problem for the off so you can’t go in ful because you don’t want to “they changed how they let Residents warned of flooding, Page 7 Town accuses Marotta companies of damaging historic landscape at Randwood Kevin MacLean to go through the official companies, denied that the private prosecution over the Managing Editor process.” developer has done anything changes that were made to However, Save Our Rand wrong. the property. The Town of Niagara-on- Estate – SORE – the citizen “The charges laid by the Topps called the work the-Lake has charged two of organization that is oppos- town are without basis in done on the site last fall developer Benny Marotta’s ing Marotta’s development law or fact,” Melling said “tactical and deliberate” – companies with contraven- plans for Randwood, ob- in a statement to The Lake and “not just clearing trees.” ing the Ontario Heritage tained the documents from Report. On its website, SORE Act by “altering” some of the court in Welland and “The actions in ques- said the town’s accusations the heritage attributes of the posted them to its website. tion were approved by the are “quasi-criminal charges Randwood Estate. Because the court docu- Niagara Peninsula Conser- under our legal system and The charges, filed in the ments offer few details, and vation Authority and were can result in substantial Ontario Court of Justice in the town will not publicly taken with advance notice fines for corporations and Welland in March, accuse say what the accusations to and full knowledge of the jail time for individuals Solmar (Niagara 2) Inc. and entail, it cannot be con- town. If necessary, this will upon conviction.” Two Sisters Resorts Corp. of A group of protesters gathered one morning after being firmed that the charges be proven in court.” The organization also notified of cutting sounds coming from the property. damaging the historic land- relate to possible damage Melling added, “Sol- notes that it could not obtain RICHARD HARLEY scaping at 588 Charlotte St., to the historically protected mar’s focus now is on the a copy of the charges from 200 John St. E., 144 John St. week to make any comment counsel has advised that the Dunington-Grubb landscape confidential settlement the town, adding, “We look E., and 176 John St. E. or provide any details about town cannot be providing features. It also is not known discussions with the town forward to the town posting All four properties fall un- the accusations. documents which relate to if the allegations relate and SORE. Although it’s re- timely information on these der a town application to be The Lake Report could matters before the court. to when the developer cut grettable that these charges charges on its website going designated under section 29 find no court documents nor The town must remain down numerous trees on the were brought, we look for- forward, including upcoming of the Heritage Act. None of any references to the charg- impartial in these types of site last November. SORE ward to a quick and positive court appearances and trial the town’s accusations have es posted on the town’s matters and providing infor- officials believe they do. resolution for everyone.” dates. There is enormous been tested in court. website. The documents are mation to the public or the The court documents, Landscape architect Alex interest in this matter among While the charges were fully public and there are no media could be used against issued by town planning Topps, a spokesperson for SORE’s supporters and town laid more than 10 weeks known legal provisions that the town in prosecution. manager Eric Withers, state SORE, said the group is residents in general.” ago, the town has never pub- would preclude them from There are proper methods the alleged infractions oc- “incredibly grateful” that SORE also suggested that licized nor announced that being revealed by the town. to follow to obtain these curred between Nov. 1 and the town felt that charges if the developer is convicted it has launched the court When asked for some types of documents, and the 12, 2018, but offer scant were warranted under the under the Heritage Act, the action against the developer. basic information about town has been advised to details. Heritage Act. He noted town can force the company Municipal officials repeat- the case, a town spokesper- direct any person request- Lawyer Michael Melling, that at one time SORE to pay the costs of restoring edly refused over the past son said in an email: “Legal ing legal documentation who represents Marotta’s considered launching a any damaged features. Page 3 June 6, 2019 NEWS Developer Hummel plans hotel for Old Town property Kevin MacLean wants to build on already 228 Queen St., 209 Sim- committee advised Hum- Effortless and Managing Editor has a large house on it, coe St. and 217 Simcoe St. mel to “develop alternatives along with a coach house The development would that sensitively relate” to delicious dining Developer Rainer and accessory building, a merge all three into one the area. Join us for authentic Sichuan & Dim Sum Hummel wants to build a town planning report noted. property, according to the The committee also sug- with new menu items arriving daily. three-storey hotel, restau- That piece of land has been staff report by planner gested major changes to the rant and spa at the cor- in a state of perpetual con- Raymond Tung. location of the hotel on the ner of Queen Street and struction for several years.