Comments on The Burd Report: So, the question is - how much do we want to pay?

A looney for this piece of sand. That's about ...

2009-07-11T08:46:40.000-04:00

A looney for this piece of sand. That's about the worth of the dubious claim of ownership, to say nothing of the undevelopable nature of the site itself. Call it , good will on the part of a " benevolent council ".

For what it's worth, the poll in Northumberlan...

2009-07-10T15:24:08.734-04:00

For what it's worth, the poll in Northumberland News stands at 69% in favour of the Town buying the land. I think there were 35 votes at that time and I swear I only voted in favour once!

When the issue was brought to Town Council, they s...

2009-07-07T11:28:55.104-04:00

When the issue was brought to Town Council, they sided with the sentiment then duly sent the issue to the lawyers and town staff to advise them.

Once that was done, the lawyer for the family most concerned made an offer to the town, including the proviso that the town make a decision BEFORE the Town Council receives advice from its staff and lawyers.

Hmmmm. Why the haste on the part of the property owners? Are they worried about something?

Never mind folks, this was a done deal the day the...

2009-07-06T20:36:43.864-04:00

Never mind folks, this was a done deal the day they built the boardwalk up to the 'target property'. These "guys" in the executive suite at town hall will do anything, including intimidation, to have their way and don't give a fig about sending you the bill to boot!

Another tax-payer funded 'accomplishment' to point to in their re-election pamphlets.

Hang on to your hats because I figure the "trailer park' is next on their hit-list, even though it's a proven money-maker. Bets, anyone?

What really gets my goat is the jackass' lawye...

2009-07-06T20:33:02.936-04:00

What really gets my goat is the jackass' lawyer wants us to name the boardwalk after him. Not just satisfied that they will get big $$$$$........ On second thought maybe its not a bad idea. Remind us of the name of the one who brought our Town Council to their knees and extorted our tax money.

I was a Victoria Park expansionist and I paid, twi...

2009-07-06T13:51:43.754-04:00

I was a Victoria Park expansionist and I paid, twice. Once my own donation and then as a taxpayer. This time I want the council to do it properly the first time.

You don't get nuttin' fer nuttin'. I a...

2009-07-06T12:13:25.315-04:00

You don't get nuttin' fer nuttin'. I agree that a Beach will attract people and more people will use it than just the usual freeloaders, but if the population want something that is not favoured by all you should have to contribute some cash. Just a fiscal conservative opinion, but we have to get the money from somewhere. I realise that some of Council's spending has been deemed "benficial" but that doesn't justify everything for nuttin'. If the Vic Park expansionists had to pay to get Council's attention then the beach bums should pay too. If the hockey rinkrats have to pay then the beachbums should too. Simple; ownership means putting something in!

Please explain why you think Cobourg residents sho...

2009-07-06T11:49:54.846-04:00

Please explain why you think Cobourg residents should have to raise funds to buy the waterfront strip on the west beach.

Compared to the cost of the community centre, this is small change, and the benefit of owning the land will likely last much longer than the building will.

Don't we pay enough taxes for the Town to just pay for it without further contributions from us?

I agree that the town should get its act together ...

2009-07-06T11:31:40.242-04:00

I agree that the town should get its act together and make a deal with the Fullerton’s, but I do not agree that there should be fundraising “to avoid being given the land by a benevolent council” ! The council has not been benevolent since Ben left it.

It was the council that made the problem in the first place. There was always public access to the west beach before the council decided to build a boardwalk without consulting the landowners whose land the boardwalk crosses.

The councils under the current Mayor have shown an ability to do what they want and to find money for it, but never do what the population wants. Hence the council finds money to widen William Street to accommodate Tim Horton’s, to build the Frink, to build Kerr Street extension, and to build a $30 million skating palace. But the council did not see any point in completing Victoria Park which ended up doubling in cost while the council fiddled ( in the Nero sense).

The council always seems to favour projects which involve spending money for paving and construction, but never ones that directly benefit citizens. The council has discovered ways of paying for the “Community Centre” by committing future years revenues from the Industrial Park. If it commits a few more years revenue it can also pay for the west beach.

It is essential to remember that when the council spends money it is already “our” money. The only difference with the west beach it will spent for be something that we want.