SORE is requesting responses to seven questions from the candidates in the Niagara-on-the-Lake election. SORE intends to post all responses on our website. Here’s the list of questions.
Updates
October municipal election – NOTL
The October municipal election sees a record number of candidates vying for NOTL Town Council and the Lord Mayor’s position. The high degree of interest in these positions no doubt reflects the passion we all feel for this special place and the desire to ensure we approach the future of our town thoughtfully.
Town publishes Notice of Intention to Designate
NOTL Town Clerk Peter Todd responded to an inquiry from SORE to say that the Notices of Intention to designate the four Randwood properties are being published in the St. Catharines Standard on August 16 as the legislated notice with an additional notice will be posted in the Niagara Advance for information to residents. The notices […]
New Marotta proposal: No real improvement
The Marotta group has submitted a revised proposal for its hotel/conference centre/wedding factory to the Town.
Designated!!!
After a several month initiative, SORE and the residents of NOTL were successful Monday night in having Council agree to having all four properties at the Rand Estate designated under the Ontario Heritage Act to recognize their unique and important cultural heritage value to NOTL and to the entire country.
Urge Council to support MHC on demolition
SORE encourages you and your friends to email Lord Mayor Darte and Council prior to Monday night’s special Council meeting and urge them to accept the recommendations in staff report MHC-18-039 as modified by the recommendations adopted by the MHC at its meeting of Aug 8, 2018, concerning designation of the Rand Estate properties. SORE […]
Important special Council meeting Monday, August 13
Mayor Darte has called a special Council meeting for 6 pm next Monday in Virgil. The meeting is intended to allow Council to vote on instructing staff to proceed with the heritage designations of all four Rand Estate properties. Please attend to let Council know they need to finish the job they started, and […]
Draft of proposed delegation by David Bell to Council about the 2011 decision
This is the text of the intended delegation by David Bell about the Council 2011 decision on Randwood. The Town Clerk did not allow presentation of this delegation at the July 16, 20158, Council meeting.
David Bell speaks to COTW about “Callum Opinion” on role of MHC
David Bell appeared before NOTL Council Committee of the Whole (COTW) on Monday night, July 9, to address the legal opinion prepared by Callum Shedden and referred to as the “Callum Opinion” in the agenda of the June 12th Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC) meeting about the 2011 decision of Town Council that the MHC should play a key role in approving any development plans for Randwood.
Foundation letter to Council about Two Sisters plans to demolish Rand structures
A letter sent by The Niagara Foundation to members of Town Council about Two Sisters Resorts letter of June 25 to Council advising of its intent to demolish a number of structures at 200 John Street and 588 Charlotte Street.
Marotta Group thumbs its nose at NOTL and Town Council
In an audacious and astonishing move, Marotta group representative Maurizio Rogato gave written notice to Town Council on June 25 of intention to demolish the residential buildings on both 200 John and 588 Charlotte Streets, along with sheds and a pool on 588 Charlotte and an “accessory structure” on 200 John.
Council votes to designate Randwood!
In a long-awaited vote, last night NOTL Council voted to proceed immediately with the process of designating the four Rand Estate properties under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Tune in to 610 CKTB Monday morning to hear Lord Mayor Pat Darte
Please tune into the Tim Denis Show 610 CKTB at 8:30 am Monday morning June 11 to hear Lord Mayor Pat Darte. We are hopeful Mayor Darte will address the Council vote that evening to confirm the heritage designation of the historic Rand Estate properties.
SORE responds to Randwood article in June 1 The Lake Report
As much as SORE appreciated the front page placement of the Randwood story in the June 1 print edition of The Lake Report and the devotion of so much coverage (with more to come) to this important issue, we were very disappointed over what we perceive to be the lack of balance in, and the tone of, the article.
Council (finally) moves to designate Rand Estate
NOTL Council voted Monday night in Committee of the Whole to proceed with the recommendations of both the Town Municipal Heritage Committee and Town staff to immediately issue notices of intention to designate all four Rand Estate properties (144, 176 and 200 John St and 588 Charlotte Street) under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Important Council meeting Monday night
Please attend Monday evening to watch your elected representatives deal with the recommendation of the Town’s Municipal Heritage Committee to designate the four Rand Estate properties under the Heritage Act.
Solmar and Maurizio Rogato profiled in Globe and Mail investigation
In a Globe & Mail investigative article published May 31, 2018, the reporters document the political pressures and involvement of Maurizio Rogato of Solmar Development in a proposed development in Caledon.
Council meeting Monday, June 4
Please attend the Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting at 6:30 pm on Monday, June 4, to hear the latest on designation of the nationally significant Rand Estate under the Ontario Heritage Act.
SORE endorses MPP Gates in June provincial election
Given his consistent support for SORE and his leadership on the Rand Estate issues, SORE is endorsing MPP Wayne Gates in the upcoming provincial election. Gates has spoken in the Ontario Legislature on the importance of this issue to NOTL.
SORE disappointed with Council delay
At its May 14 meeting, there were hopes that Council would act on some a recommendation from MHC’s May 8 meeting to designate the properties with heritage status. However, three councillors voted against allowing the matter to be discussed.
SORE’s lawyers continue to seek information from Marotta’s lawyer and offer additional meeting
SORE’s lawyers responded May 11 to the April 30 letter from Benny Marotta’s lawyer. The SORE letter questions Marotta representative’s Maurizio Rogato’s sincerity in telling Council that the Marotta group is open and transparent given the ongoing refusal of Marotta’s lawyer to provide any information to SORE.
Let’s encourage Council to adopt MHC recommendations regarding Rand Estate
The next Council meeting is Monday May 14. Email or call the Lord Mayor and/or Town Councillors and encourage them to adopt the MHC recommendations on designation and hiring of a heritage planner at Monday’s Council meeting.
Municipal Heritage Committee requests immediate action by Council on Rand Estate
Of the many issues facing the Town’s Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC), the Marotta group’s proposed development (and future subdivision) on the Rand Estate has generated some of the liveliest discussion. At this past week’s meeting (Tuesday, May 8th), the MHC showed frustration with the developer, as well as with Town planning staff, over Marotta’s delay in applying for heritage designation.
Bus trip will view Randwood landscape plans
The Niagara Historical Society & Museum bus trip on June 19 to Guelph will provide an opportunity to view the landscape architecture plans for Randwood designed by the renowned Dunington-Grubb firm.