Posts
In the last couple of days or so someone twice now has submitted the following comment to my blog on posts unrelated to the subject at hand. He/she has also posted a similar comment on Dean's blog as well...
What about this quote from your previous post? "I can't see myself caring anymore, and even less doing something about anything these days with respect to the CNP." change of heart?
The above quote of mine was taken from my recent CNP, you don't treat me no good no more post.
The short answer is, no I have not had a change of heart. You just read into it wrong.
But since I'm sure this person appears eager to get a more detailed or substantive answer to his question, I will respond accordingly here. For those who need to catch up or are interested in this, I suggest you read the original post using the link above so that you get the full context of what was actually said before I endeavour to explain its full meaning below.
I passed on the invite to sit on the albertaviews - 'Brews & Views' panel giving the above quote as my reason why. After the last election, I stated unequivocally because of my disgust in how the majority of voters in this community were so easily swayed in treating me at the polls by voting for someone the vast majority of residents did not even know, and how I believe this all came about (organized smear campaigns), I no longer have the desire or the willingness to ever run here again for municipal office. And/or to take an active role/part as a representative for the community in any type of official capacity, such as on a board/committee/panel, etc (and for the record, this municipality has already reciprocated accordingly, in that it has to-date not asked me to either).
But on the other hand, until my fortunes either turn around and I find meaningful and gainful employment/opportunity in a municipality severely lacking in both, or until my house sells, I will continue to speak out here on those things that affect my community, and myself, while I still live here.
I hope that clears that up.
I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Crowsnest Promoter: Municipal CAO resigns
By Joni MacFarlane, Editor
After a scant six months, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass's new Chief Administrative Officer has handed in his resignation.
Announced on May 19 by Mayor Bruce Decoux, Tully Clifford, who took the reins of the administrative team on Nov. 15, will be leaving effective June 15.
Clifford said he was leaving for personal reasons and is returning to California as chief administrator of Clear Lake, a "disadvantaged community" with a population of 14,000 people.
He said he knew before he came to the Crowsnest Pass that there were "structural differences" and that challenges existed between administration and council and between roles and responsibilities.
"The management team is very strong and administration has a good group, very dedicated and loyal," he said. "We've made progress and things are looking better."
Clifford said it's important that council decide what their vision for the community is so they can present this to the residents.
"The residents can then step up and say, we agree or disagree, but they need to engage the community in that decision and this helps administration make it happen," he added.
He believes it's important for a council not to focus on operational issues but rather, on the vision and strategies to achieve it.
"The management team is very strong and dedicated to making changes," said Clifford. "The Pass has a large land area, large infrastructure and a small population. There's just no way around it and the only way to improve things is to increase revenues."
Clifford said he has enjoyed his time in the Pass and found people very friendly and very committed to making the community a better place.
Recruitment firm Davies Park was hired to fill the CAO position when it became vacant after the retirement of Gordon Lundy. They have been asked again to hunt for a new CAO.
In the meantime, a "suitable candidate" will be identified to fill the position.
Comment:
First of all, a much better job by the Promoter than what the Herald did. Second, plenty of meat to chew on for my readers from the Pass, including the scary part... "There's just no way around it and the only way to improve things is to increase revenues"... to me that means further property tax and service fee increases for years to come, until we can turn things around here. :-(
Thirdly, the big question still remains. Why could this community not retain this man? Are we a lost cause? A fool's errand? Is this what he saw?
Only puny secrets need protection. Big discoveries are protected by public incredulity.
After a scant six months, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass's new Chief Administrative Officer has handed in his resignation.
Announced on May 19 by Mayor Bruce Decoux, Tully Clifford, who took the reins of the administrative team on Nov. 15, will be leaving effective June 15.
Clifford said he was leaving for personal reasons and is returning to California as chief administrator of Clear Lake, a "disadvantaged community" with a population of 14,000 people.
He said he knew before he came to the Crowsnest Pass that there were "structural differences" and that challenges existed between administration and council and between roles and responsibilities.
"The management team is very strong and administration has a good group, very dedicated and loyal," he said. "We've made progress and things are looking better."
Clifford said it's important that council decide what their vision for the community is so they can present this to the residents.
"The residents can then step up and say, we agree or disagree, but they need to engage the community in that decision and this helps administration make it happen," he added.
He believes it's important for a council not to focus on operational issues but rather, on the vision and strategies to achieve it.
"The management team is very strong and dedicated to making changes," said Clifford. "The Pass has a large land area, large infrastructure and a small population. There's just no way around it and the only way to improve things is to increase revenues."
Clifford said he has enjoyed his time in the Pass and found people very friendly and very committed to making the community a better place.
Recruitment firm Davies Park was hired to fill the CAO position when it became vacant after the retirement of Gordon Lundy. They have been asked again to hunt for a new CAO.
In the meantime, a "suitable candidate" will be identified to fill the position.
Comment:
First of all, a much better job by the Promoter than what the Herald did. Second, plenty of meat to chew on for my readers from the Pass, including the scary part... "There's just no way around it and the only way to improve things is to increase revenues"... to me that means further property tax and service fee increases for years to come, until we can turn things around here. :-(
Thirdly, the big question still remains. Why could this community not retain this man? Are we a lost cause? A fool's errand? Is this what he saw?
Only puny secrets need protection. Big discoveries are protected by public incredulity.
River Run outdoor swimming hole now open
Rain, rain and more rain. The good news is, just as soon as the condo's and townhouses go up the gates should open and we can all go swimming at River Run's brand new outdoor swimming hole. Don't forget to bring your snorkling gear. :-)
I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Love Locks: an idea whose time has come for those in love
By John Kurucz, Coquitlam NOW
Public display of love? It's a lock
Linda Balzer wants to put love on permanent lockdown in the City of the Arts.
The Port Moody resident appeared before council Tuesday to pitch the idea of establishing a space on the pier at Rocky Point Park for a series of "love locks" to recognize the ties that bind.
Whether it's between lovers, family, friends or even for a pet owner, the concept behind a love lock is simple: the initials of the two parties in question are inscribed on a lock and placed in a permanent location. From there, the key is thrown away "so that their love would be locked forever."
"Locking your love with a padlock is the perfect, symbolic way of letting those significant people in your life know just how important they are to you," Balzer said Tuesday.
The impetus behind Balzer's presentation Tuesday came from a country that knows a thing or two about all things amore.
While vacationing in Italy with her husband, the pair spotted a similar installation in a seaside town that had a series of love locks set up on a pier.
"I have further looked into this and found that they were, indeed, love locks," she said. "And they are all around the world. And I believe, that we in Port Moody should be the first in the Lower Mainland to have them."
Balzer went on to note that the love lock phenomenon is believed to have started in China, and has spread to other countries including South Korea, Japan, Guam, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Russia and the United States.
In fact, a small town in western Nevada called Lovelock has devoted parts of its city square for a permanent installation of a series of love locks.
It's Balzer's hope that a short rail will be installed at the pier to facilitate a "natural growing piece of art," one that will buoy local businesses while at the same time make Port Moody a tourist destination for wedding photos, proposals and other forms of celebration.
"We have many wedding parties and events in our very own Rocky Point Park," she said. "People come to our pier and have their photos taken, and I think it would bring many, many more people to our city if we in Port Moody had a place where they could lock their love forever."
Her proposal was met with what seemed to be unanimous support from all council members, with Coun. Mike Clay suggesting that he'd like to see other areas in the park examined as well.
"It was a very interesting presentation," Mayor Joe Trasolini said in an interview Thursday.
"It is very symbolic of people's love for another, and having a physical presence to celebrate that type of love is great."
Council will deliberate on whether to authorize staff to help out with the project at the city's next council meeting on May 24.
Comment:
Being the gateway to B.C./AB can we not do something like this?
Crowsnest ('Love Locks'), Alberta. :-)
Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.
Public display of love? It's a lock
Linda Balzer wants to put love on permanent lockdown in the City of the Arts.
The Port Moody resident appeared before council Tuesday to pitch the idea of establishing a space on the pier at Rocky Point Park for a series of "love locks" to recognize the ties that bind.
Whether it's between lovers, family, friends or even for a pet owner, the concept behind a love lock is simple: the initials of the two parties in question are inscribed on a lock and placed in a permanent location. From there, the key is thrown away "so that their love would be locked forever."
"Locking your love with a padlock is the perfect, symbolic way of letting those significant people in your life know just how important they are to you," Balzer said Tuesday.
The impetus behind Balzer's presentation Tuesday came from a country that knows a thing or two about all things amore.
While vacationing in Italy with her husband, the pair spotted a similar installation in a seaside town that had a series of love locks set up on a pier.
"I have further looked into this and found that they were, indeed, love locks," she said. "And they are all around the world. And I believe, that we in Port Moody should be the first in the Lower Mainland to have them."
Balzer went on to note that the love lock phenomenon is believed to have started in China, and has spread to other countries including South Korea, Japan, Guam, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Russia and the United States.
In fact, a small town in western Nevada called Lovelock has devoted parts of its city square for a permanent installation of a series of love locks.
It's Balzer's hope that a short rail will be installed at the pier to facilitate a "natural growing piece of art," one that will buoy local businesses while at the same time make Port Moody a tourist destination for wedding photos, proposals and other forms of celebration.
"We have many wedding parties and events in our very own Rocky Point Park," she said. "People come to our pier and have their photos taken, and I think it would bring many, many more people to our city if we in Port Moody had a place where they could lock their love forever."
Her proposal was met with what seemed to be unanimous support from all council members, with Coun. Mike Clay suggesting that he'd like to see other areas in the park examined as well.
"It was a very interesting presentation," Mayor Joe Trasolini said in an interview Thursday.
"It is very symbolic of people's love for another, and having a physical presence to celebrate that type of love is great."
Council will deliberate on whether to authorize staff to help out with the project at the city's next council meeting on May 24.
Comment:
Being the gateway to B.C./AB can we not do something like this?
Crowsnest ('Love Locks'), Alberta. :-)
Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Councillor Gallant appeals to residents to get involved
I suggest they give the office a call at 403-562-8833 and ask to speak with him. Perhaps everyone can call and tell him how important it is that he stays in Crowsnest Pass.
From the above quote on Councillor Brian Gallant's recent blog post it looks like he has picked up on the call to action made by Loreena Russomanno and myself on Dean's blog. In, as residents, trying to do what we can in keeping CAO Tully Clifford here in the Crowsnest.
Do your part, give him a call. I know I'm going to.
As an aside, I find it both disturbing and distressing that Brian knows not more than we do as to what is pushing Tully out the door, considering how eager he was to get this well paying job that allowed him to not only return to his native land but also to get closer to his family who live in Calgary?
In addition, although Brian did not say anything in his post, according to my wife who shared an email exchange with him he said Tully was leaving to return to the states for health reasons. If this is true it makes no sense, who would leave his mother country with its free healthcare for a foreign land where it is pay as you go? Without a job having benefits would this not be a foolish thing to do?
So many questions having so few answers?
When something does not smell right or feel right, or doesn't make sense, its probably a bad thing. You know its bad when even our councillors who are sitting at the table don't know what is really going on. If they are so out of touch, what does that make the rest of us?
Or is it that just some of them are out of the loop, while others are doing the pushing in getting (forcing) Tully out the door?
Taking action leads to results; not taking action only leads to feelings of hopelessness – and helplessness.
From the above quote on Councillor Brian Gallant's recent blog post it looks like he has picked up on the call to action made by Loreena Russomanno and myself on Dean's blog. In, as residents, trying to do what we can in keeping CAO Tully Clifford here in the Crowsnest.
Do your part, give him a call. I know I'm going to.
As an aside, I find it both disturbing and distressing that Brian knows not more than we do as to what is pushing Tully out the door, considering how eager he was to get this well paying job that allowed him to not only return to his native land but also to get closer to his family who live in Calgary?
In addition, although Brian did not say anything in his post, according to my wife who shared an email exchange with him he said Tully was leaving to return to the states for health reasons. If this is true it makes no sense, who would leave his mother country with its free healthcare for a foreign land where it is pay as you go? Without a job having benefits would this not be a foolish thing to do?
So many questions having so few answers?
When something does not smell right or feel right, or doesn't make sense, its probably a bad thing. You know its bad when even our councillors who are sitting at the table don't know what is really going on. If they are so out of touch, what does that make the rest of us?
Or is it that just some of them are out of the loop, while others are doing the pushing in getting (forcing) Tully out the door?
Taking action leads to results; not taking action only leads to feelings of hopelessness – and helplessness.
Friday, May 20, 2011
VIDEO: Simply The Best!... even if I do say so myself
To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.
It's so nice to be appreciated. :-)
Better than the rest... Yes, Tina, you knock my socks off... because you really are... "Simply the Best!"
You Go Girl!!!
Don’t let what other people think decide who you are.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Crowsnest Pass CAO Resigns
Only six months or so into the job and already our new municipal Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Tully Clifford has handed in his resignation. This according to the most recent post on Dean Ward's blog.
If this is true, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit considering the revolving door we have had over the years at our municipal office, then once again we have a situation where in this case a novice mayor overrules a skilled and experienced professional administrator
But some thought, I think, that we were finally over with this Emperor Pic/Mayor Daley gangster way of doing things around here with the new change of leadership. But did we really have a change of leadership, or just more of the same old, same old, with a de facto mayor still calling the shots, working in the background making his moves through his proxy? Sure sounds like it? Because it's Déjà vu all over again, isn't it?
Like they say, the more things change, the more things stay the same.
Its a sad kind of funny how this community keeps throwing out the ones who could really change things here for the better and take us forward, for those who can't... or won't. Some say the people running things here are insane (Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results) and the rest are just plain gullible sheep that have lost their way, and deserve what they get. :-]
I say, hold onto your wallets and get ready to see some fireworks and more fighting, division and discontent. After all, isn't that what sells newspapers around here and what local yokels amusingly love to lap up. :-( Sad, but true!
_____________________________________________________
UPDATE: (May 21, 2011)
Residents of the CNP have a choice. Let the new mayor and his cohorts take us backwards or put pressure on council to convince Tully to stay on. What's it going to be? Going back to more of the same old, same old, or finally saying enough is enough we ain't going to take it no more!
Are we going to let weak-kneed individuals cowering to whining municipal employee demands to maintain the status quo we no longer can afford, or are we going to let professional administrators and management people set things straight?
I think I already know the answer. The people here are not going to do a damn thing because having a history and culture of croynism they love playing the fool and victim
The real sadness is this community’s biggest road block to future prosperity for all is our unwillingness to accept change and make difficult decisions. It seems we can’t or won’t muster up the courage to stand up to those self-interest groups here who keep holding us back.
The first step in moving forward is to put mayor and council in their place by supporting professional management in allowing them to do their thing on our behalf, by getting the former to stop micro-managing our municipality and instead for them to concentrate their efforts on the bigger picture, which is what we voted them in for.
Council is suppose to steer the ship of state and management's job is to row. It's that simple! When mayor and council try to do both that's when the problems arise, which is what we have been going through here for the past dozen years or so... at least. That needs to stop!
Look for the better men among those who are despised.
If this is true, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit considering the revolving door we have had over the years at our municipal office, then once again we have a situation where in this case a novice mayor overrules a skilled and experienced professional administrator
But some thought, I think, that we were finally over with this Emperor Pic/Mayor Daley gangster way of doing things around here with the new change of leadership. But did we really have a change of leadership, or just more of the same old, same old, with a de facto mayor still calling the shots, working in the background making his moves through his proxy? Sure sounds like it? Because it's Déjà vu all over again, isn't it?
Like they say, the more things change, the more things stay the same.
Its a sad kind of funny how this community keeps throwing out the ones who could really change things here for the better and take us forward, for those who can't... or won't. Some say the people running things here are insane (Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results) and the rest are just plain gullible sheep that have lost their way, and deserve what they get. :-]
I say, hold onto your wallets and get ready to see some fireworks and more fighting, division and discontent. After all, isn't that what sells newspapers around here and what local yokels amusingly love to lap up. :-( Sad, but true!
_____________________________________________________
UPDATE: (May 21, 2011)
Residents of the CNP have a choice. Let the new mayor and his cohorts take us backwards or put pressure on council to convince Tully to stay on. What's it going to be? Going back to more of the same old, same old, or finally saying enough is enough we ain't going to take it no more!
Are we going to let weak-kneed individuals cowering to whining municipal employee demands to maintain the status quo we no longer can afford, or are we going to let professional administrators and management people set things straight?
I think I already know the answer. The people here are not going to do a damn thing because having a history and culture of croynism they love playing the fool and victim
The real sadness is this community’s biggest road block to future prosperity for all is our unwillingness to accept change and make difficult decisions. It seems we can’t or won’t muster up the courage to stand up to those self-interest groups here who keep holding us back.
The first step in moving forward is to put mayor and council in their place by supporting professional management in allowing them to do their thing on our behalf, by getting the former to stop micro-managing our municipality and instead for them to concentrate their efforts on the bigger picture, which is what we voted them in for.
Council is suppose to steer the ship of state and management's job is to row. It's that simple! When mayor and council try to do both that's when the problems arise, which is what we have been going through here for the past dozen years or so... at least. That needs to stop!
Look for the better men among those who are despised.
CNP, you don't treat me no good no more
A week or two back I got an email from Peter Worden with albertaviews who is doing one of his Brews & Views in the CNP on May 26 at 7 p.m. in Frank, at the Art Gallery (these are the guys with the new provincial magazine that I think is outstanding. I did a post here before by one of their writer's that I thought was very good).
Anyhow, besides inviting me to this event I was asked (because I'm "a local thinker" and an active citizen") if I would like to sit on an informal panel to discuss "What will come to the Pass"... "which refers to our May "labour" issue, but also to the Pass more generally in where will it be/where it ought to be going re. industry, conservation, tourism, etc. I wonder if you would like to come speak on this?"
Yesterday he called and I told him I did not wish to sit on the panel but that in all likelihood I would take him up on his $5 'free' beer. :-)
Seriously, 'Been there, done that' and besides, I can't see myself caring anymore, and even less doing something about anything these days with respect to the CNP.
After what she's done to me and put me through, I think it's plain to see, it's time to move on... :-)
"Woh-oh lover, lover lover you don't treat me no good no more,"
We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.
Anyhow, besides inviting me to this event I was asked (because I'm "a local thinker" and an active citizen") if I would like to sit on an informal panel to discuss "What will come to the Pass"... "which refers to our May "labour" issue, but also to the Pass more generally in where will it be/where it ought to be going re. industry, conservation, tourism, etc. I wonder if you would like to come speak on this?"
Yesterday he called and I told him I did not wish to sit on the panel but that in all likelihood I would take him up on his $5 'free' beer. :-)
Seriously, 'Been there, done that' and besides, I can't see myself caring anymore, and even less doing something about anything these days with respect to the CNP.
After what she's done to me and put me through, I think it's plain to see, it's time to move on... :-)
"Woh-oh lover, lover lover you don't treat me no good no more,"
We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
VIDEO: Alberta Party Leadership Debate 2011 Calgary
Here is the long form video of the recent Alberta Party Leadership Debate held in Calgary. It is 2 hours long so put on a pot of coffee first.
To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.
The Alberta Party Leadership Convention is in Edmonton May 27-28 and will be Live streamed.
Note: Thanks to Ken Chapman for this.
Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians.
To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.
The Alberta Party Leadership Convention is in Edmonton May 27-28 and will be Live streamed.
Note: Thanks to Ken Chapman for this.
Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Larry Elford: White Knight of the Investment Industry
The other day I got a facebook message from a new friend inviting me to attend as his guest a presentation he was to give to the Blairmore Lion's Club at one of their regular monthly dinner meetings. That meeting took place last night, and I did attend. And I'm glad I did!
Larry Elford out of Lethbridge spent 20 years or more in the investment industry and as such has an insiders perspective on the tricks (and swindles) of the investment trade. Today he is on a mission to inform and educate the Canadian public on white collar crime and the abuse of customers that has become "standard industry practice" in this field.
During and after Larry's presentation which was both educational and eye-opening I got the sense the Lion members (most of whom are retired and been around the block themselves once or twice) listening not only related to what he had to say but appreciated it as well, like anyone would who was given a heads-up on not falling victim to the predators that are out there in our financial/investment communities, floating in essence above the law, free to rob and pillage to their hearts content.
If you are an investor or know someone who is, whether it be a loved one or a friend, I encourage you to visit Larry's sites below to both educate yourself and/or ask him any questions you may have. I found him to be sincere, friendly and extremely knowledgeable, and certainly one who is an expert in his field.
These days, everybody needs a White Knight and that is what Larry Elford is to those who do not have the time, inclination, or know how on how to properly protect themselves from the dangers and pitfalls prevalent in the investment industry.
Give him a read, your investment portfolio might love you for it. :-)
www.breachoftrust.ca
www.investoradvocates.ca
The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Public debate is cornerstone of democracy
Crowsnest Promoter
By Joni MacFarlane, Editor
At a recent council meeting, one member, clearly irritated, wondered why issues were being "hashed out" in council chambers after the policy committee had already met and made a recommendation.
This musing should set off alarm bells for a number of reasons.
First, it is not enough that an issue be sent to a committee and then have that committee decide the matter without public transparency. Not only is the public excluded from policy committee meetings, and by extension the press, but also not every council member is in attendance. Yes, they have the ability to provide input prior to the meeting, but they are not included at the debate.
Taxpayers have the right to hear that debate, to know each council member's opinion and to be privy to any subsequent vote.
Another issue regarding development plans for the municipality apparently entailed "numerous meetings", again behind closed doors.
We recognize that while certain issues require confidentiality to protect the individual, those that impact the taxpayer financially or philosophically require transparency.
Council should let the public judge for themselves what's important, whether it involves significant tax dollars or not. All policies and bylaws affect residents, one way or another. Discussions on how they are arrived at need to be heard.
Transparency and accountability have become cliqued political fodder in recent times. Let's ensure these principles remain firmly planted in Crowsnest Pass.
Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians.
By Joni MacFarlane, Editor
At a recent council meeting, one member, clearly irritated, wondered why issues were being "hashed out" in council chambers after the policy committee had already met and made a recommendation.
This musing should set off alarm bells for a number of reasons.
First, it is not enough that an issue be sent to a committee and then have that committee decide the matter without public transparency. Not only is the public excluded from policy committee meetings, and by extension the press, but also not every council member is in attendance. Yes, they have the ability to provide input prior to the meeting, but they are not included at the debate.
Taxpayers have the right to hear that debate, to know each council member's opinion and to be privy to any subsequent vote.
Another issue regarding development plans for the municipality apparently entailed "numerous meetings", again behind closed doors.
We recognize that while certain issues require confidentiality to protect the individual, those that impact the taxpayer financially or philosophically require transparency.
Council should let the public judge for themselves what's important, whether it involves significant tax dollars or not. All policies and bylaws affect residents, one way or another. Discussions on how they are arrived at need to be heard.
Transparency and accountability have become cliqued political fodder in recent times. Let's ensure these principles remain firmly planted in Crowsnest Pass.
Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians.
Blogger is back... but not fully
Bloggers can now post again but it will be hours before my posts and your comments since Wednesday show up again i.e. if you posted a comment(s) since last Wednesday it will take some hours yet before they show up here again.
In the meantime, any posts I do as of today (like this one) and any further follow up comments you make will show up immediately.
Other than that we are all free again to blog away! :-)
The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.
In the meantime, any posts I do as of today (like this one) and any further follow up comments you make will show up immediately.
Other than that we are all free again to blog away! :-)
The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Why the poor vote against themselves in Canada
For an interesting read on what makes people vote against their own best interests?
We believe what we believe for the truth we need.
Monday, May 9, 2011
New Rules of Engagement
Albertaviews
Jackie Flanagan
New Rules of Engagement
Listening as a revolutionary tactic.
Battle is not a bad thing. Remember hockey’s Battle of Alberta? The rivalry between the Flames and the Oilers brought out the best in both teams. Likewise, “clash” is intended to bring out the best arguments in a debate—a battle of wits. In fact, the judge will disqualify a debater who doesn’t “clash” with his opponent. Canada has been shaped for the better by the contest between Liberals and Conservatives. And the “battle of the sexes” probably accounts for the advancement of civilization. So battle can be a good thing. To be heard, we have to be prepared to stand up and fight the good fight.
A certain amount of conflict is inevitable because people have different interests. By “interests” I don’t mean that some of us like books and others sports. I mean that what’s good for you may not be good for me. A man wants to go to the bar and drink with his buddies, and a woman wants him to save the money and come home and help her with the kids. It’s not beauty, truth and goodness that win. It’s power. Sometimes it takes a fight. Things can be resolved if there’s a strong enough mutual commitment to a common purpose and willingness to compromise. But even with a shared vision, people still need to recognize their differences—and listen to each other—to work things out. A balance of power is needed for real dialogue.
Alberta may be unique in its approach to conflict—which is to avoid it at all costs. The great myth of Alberta is that we’re one big united family with no differences to speak of. It’s almost treason to disagree. This began early on in our history, and perhaps for good reason. Many of Alberta’s original settlers were farmers fleeing repressive regimes or violent upheavals. They came wanting mostly to be left in peace. Farmers are both the owners of the means of production—their land and machinery—and the workers who plant the seed and harvest the crop. They combine capital and labour in their own being. The United Farmers of Alberta, our first unique, locally created political party, who from 1922 to 1935 set the mould of our government, believed that their interests were all Albertans’ interests. No discussion necessary. Parliamentary debate was a waste of time. They didn’t want to listen to anyone who disagreed with them—and they didn’t have to. They had all the power, as did the Socreds after them and as does our current government. Alberta’s been a one-party state for almost a century.
The “united family” model accounts for Alberta’s general resistance to politics as it’s played in other parts of the country, and our denial of class divisions in our society. NDP MLA Rachel Notley says that the oil industry introduced “this lottery mentality: the notion of easy money and that everyone might be able to strike it rich.” Few people identify with the working class in Alberta, and consequently the NDP has had limited electoral success here.
Most of us are not farmers anymore. We’re just workers. Whether we know it or not, we’ve benefited from workers’ fight to improve working conditions. Unions enable workers to engage in dialogue with owners on a more equal footing. It’s called bargaining power, but Alberta has made it very difficult for unions to be strong. Our labour legislation primarily reflects the interests of employers, not workers. All’s fine when the economy is booming, but in a downturn the workers suffer most.
We have to be a little more savvy about where our real interests lie. We have to insist on more dialogue, with as much listening as speaking. Dialogue works when we try to understand and accommodate our differences—not pretend they don’t exist. To be taken seriously we have to claim our power and be prepared to fight the good fight without fear or malice.
Jackie Flanagan
Comment: This lady has Alberta and the Crowsnest down to a tee... "Alberta's been a one party state for almost a century"... "Few people identify with the working class in Alberta"... "Our labour legislation primarily reflects the interests of employers, not employees"... "Dialogue works when we try to understand and accomodate our differences - not pretend they don't exist."
I find it interesting that the NDP are now the official opposition, whose past history has been on the side of labour and the working man, and yesterday I read the following article - CLC President Ken Georgetti Canadian Labour Congress seeks NDP support, aims to boost public profile while today I read the above article.
Looks to me like peace feathers are being offered, but sounds like war drums over the horizon? Labour unrest anyone? Civil disobedience? Wisconsin about to come to Canada? If you are a HarperCON, then the answer to that question is... "You better believe it, Baby!"
UPDATE: (May 10, 2011)
NDP being offered the cream of Canada’s unions
Awareness leads you forward, while lack of awareness leads you nowhere.
Jackie Flanagan
New Rules of Engagement
Listening as a revolutionary tactic.
Battle is not a bad thing. Remember hockey’s Battle of Alberta? The rivalry between the Flames and the Oilers brought out the best in both teams. Likewise, “clash” is intended to bring out the best arguments in a debate—a battle of wits. In fact, the judge will disqualify a debater who doesn’t “clash” with his opponent. Canada has been shaped for the better by the contest between Liberals and Conservatives. And the “battle of the sexes” probably accounts for the advancement of civilization. So battle can be a good thing. To be heard, we have to be prepared to stand up and fight the good fight.
A certain amount of conflict is inevitable because people have different interests. By “interests” I don’t mean that some of us like books and others sports. I mean that what’s good for you may not be good for me. A man wants to go to the bar and drink with his buddies, and a woman wants him to save the money and come home and help her with the kids. It’s not beauty, truth and goodness that win. It’s power. Sometimes it takes a fight. Things can be resolved if there’s a strong enough mutual commitment to a common purpose and willingness to compromise. But even with a shared vision, people still need to recognize their differences—and listen to each other—to work things out. A balance of power is needed for real dialogue.
Alberta may be unique in its approach to conflict—which is to avoid it at all costs. The great myth of Alberta is that we’re one big united family with no differences to speak of. It’s almost treason to disagree. This began early on in our history, and perhaps for good reason. Many of Alberta’s original settlers were farmers fleeing repressive regimes or violent upheavals. They came wanting mostly to be left in peace. Farmers are both the owners of the means of production—their land and machinery—and the workers who plant the seed and harvest the crop. They combine capital and labour in their own being. The United Farmers of Alberta, our first unique, locally created political party, who from 1922 to 1935 set the mould of our government, believed that their interests were all Albertans’ interests. No discussion necessary. Parliamentary debate was a waste of time. They didn’t want to listen to anyone who disagreed with them—and they didn’t have to. They had all the power, as did the Socreds after them and as does our current government. Alberta’s been a one-party state for almost a century.
The “united family” model accounts for Alberta’s general resistance to politics as it’s played in other parts of the country, and our denial of class divisions in our society. NDP MLA Rachel Notley says that the oil industry introduced “this lottery mentality: the notion of easy money and that everyone might be able to strike it rich.” Few people identify with the working class in Alberta, and consequently the NDP has had limited electoral success here.
Most of us are not farmers anymore. We’re just workers. Whether we know it or not, we’ve benefited from workers’ fight to improve working conditions. Unions enable workers to engage in dialogue with owners on a more equal footing. It’s called bargaining power, but Alberta has made it very difficult for unions to be strong. Our labour legislation primarily reflects the interests of employers, not workers. All’s fine when the economy is booming, but in a downturn the workers suffer most.
We have to be a little more savvy about where our real interests lie. We have to insist on more dialogue, with as much listening as speaking. Dialogue works when we try to understand and accommodate our differences—not pretend they don’t exist. To be taken seriously we have to claim our power and be prepared to fight the good fight without fear or malice.
Jackie Flanagan
Comment: This lady has Alberta and the Crowsnest down to a tee... "Alberta's been a one party state for almost a century"... "Few people identify with the working class in Alberta"... "Our labour legislation primarily reflects the interests of employers, not employees"... "Dialogue works when we try to understand and accomodate our differences - not pretend they don't exist."
I find it interesting that the NDP are now the official opposition, whose past history has been on the side of labour and the working man, and yesterday I read the following article - CLC President Ken Georgetti Canadian Labour Congress seeks NDP support, aims to boost public profile while today I read the above article.
Looks to me like peace feathers are being offered, but sounds like war drums over the horizon? Labour unrest anyone? Civil disobedience? Wisconsin about to come to Canada? If you are a HarperCON, then the answer to that question is... "You better believe it, Baby!"
UPDATE: (May 10, 2011)
NDP being offered the cream of Canada’s unions
Awareness leads you forward, while lack of awareness leads you nowhere.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
VIDEO: Ultimate Dog Tease
Instead of something 'mushy' for Mother's Day, I've decided to give my readers this treat instead. Enjoy! Especially, you mothers. :-)
The one, absolute, unselfish friend
That man can have in this selfish world,
The one that never deserts him,
The one that never proves ungrateful
or treacherous, is his dog.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
VIDEO: The Problems with First Past the Post Voting Explained
To watch this video in full-screen mode click here.
6,201 reasons to get frustrated.
Canada's cold new dawn
Councils updated on magnetite mine process
Nanton News
By Sheena Read, Editor
Concerns over a magnetite mine proposed for the southern foothills was discussed at a Municipal District (MD) of Ranchland council meeting May 3.
Dan McKim, owner of the DU Ranch, on the North Burmis Road off Highway 533, appeared before council to update council on the progress of the proposed Burmis Magnetite Project of Micrex Development Corp., proposed for an area just west of Highway 22.
The proposed project will take 40,000 tons of magnetite out of the landscape, providing $2 million in profit each year.
McKim said that he has been in communication with Bill Kennedy, general counsel for the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB), who has met with Micrex representatives.
The process involved with the Micrex application has been a confusing one, McKim said.
Alberta Environment had said that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was not needed for the proposed project, because it fell short of the 45,000-ton limit, which is the requirement point for an EIA, and as a result, gave approval for the project.
This approval brought protests from area landowners and a letter of unanimous support from the Ranchland council, and the proposal was then sent to Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD), McKim said.
"(Minister Mel) Knight has had difficulty dealing with it. Local SRD experts based out of Blairmore sent a report to the SRD minister stating they didn't support it either," said McKim. "Mel Knight found himself in a bit of a bind."
McKim said that three months ago, the project was brought before cabinet. Ted Morton still was minister of finance, and he brought it up before cabinet. The word from Premier Ed Stelmach was to deal with the application, and approve it or decline it.
McKim said that Knight has since passed it along to the NRCB, but Kennedy has told McKim that the board has not received the documentation from Alberta Environment or SRD, because he was told that SRD had to remain at arm's length from the NRCB.
"The process from Kennedy is that there will be open houses, and they will not be as typically structured as Micrex generally does," said McKim. "The open houses will happen relatively quick."
The open houses would gather public input.
A panel hearing will be scheduled in the fall, he said.
McKim said that when the NRCB met with Micrex, the company was told it had to file an application with a $1,000 fee.
"As of last Friday (April 29), Micrex had not filed their $1,000," said McKim.
Chief administrative officer Greg Brkich said that there would not be any open houses until the application was filed.
"At this point, no news is good news," said Brkich.
"What I worry about, in my experience, is the ERCB and NRCB isn't there to say no," said Coun. Cam Gardner. "They probably have the power to say no, but the government has already given the licence to them. I don't think this is necessarily a positive step."
"Really, do they ever refuse an application?" asked Coun. Ron Davis.
"I hope they put them through so much red tape and process that they give up. This is just going to get longer. As long as it's been, it's only going to get worse," said Gardner.
McKim said their concerns were that it wasn't the best use for the land. The economics of it aren't worth the impact. Although the company had promised jobs to area residents, it would only provide part-time employment to a couple of people. The mine would not be a service to the area, and there would be no social benefit to it.
"I feel bad that you're living where you're living, and fighting the good fight, and this has been dumped in your back yard," said Gardner. "I feel sorry for you."
"Anyone who would tear up that hill for that sort of profit is just a criminal."
Davis told McKim that Ranchland's position on the development has not changed, and that they would continue to oppose it.
Davis said that council hadn't heard anything from Micrex since an open house in Cowley in October.
McKim said that the land proposed for the mine was first purchased in the 1950s, and when that individual died, McKim's father-in-law had been offered the land. He refused it. It was eventually sold for $200,000, but the issue was Alberta Infrastructure purchased it back for $1 million, but that was just for the surface, not for the mineral rights.
"That's one thing I haven't heard on the radio — that at one time the government thought that it was worth $1 million to protect the surface," said Gardner.
McKim will be making presentations to the MD of Pincher Creek and to Crowsnest Pass council meetings on May 10.
Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.
By Sheena Read, Editor
Concerns over a magnetite mine proposed for the southern foothills was discussed at a Municipal District (MD) of Ranchland council meeting May 3.
Dan McKim, owner of the DU Ranch, on the North Burmis Road off Highway 533, appeared before council to update council on the progress of the proposed Burmis Magnetite Project of Micrex Development Corp., proposed for an area just west of Highway 22.
The proposed project will take 40,000 tons of magnetite out of the landscape, providing $2 million in profit each year.
McKim said that he has been in communication with Bill Kennedy, general counsel for the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB), who has met with Micrex representatives.
The process involved with the Micrex application has been a confusing one, McKim said.
Alberta Environment had said that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was not needed for the proposed project, because it fell short of the 45,000-ton limit, which is the requirement point for an EIA, and as a result, gave approval for the project.
This approval brought protests from area landowners and a letter of unanimous support from the Ranchland council, and the proposal was then sent to Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD), McKim said.
"(Minister Mel) Knight has had difficulty dealing with it. Local SRD experts based out of Blairmore sent a report to the SRD minister stating they didn't support it either," said McKim. "Mel Knight found himself in a bit of a bind."
McKim said that three months ago, the project was brought before cabinet. Ted Morton still was minister of finance, and he brought it up before cabinet. The word from Premier Ed Stelmach was to deal with the application, and approve it or decline it.
McKim said that Knight has since passed it along to the NRCB, but Kennedy has told McKim that the board has not received the documentation from Alberta Environment or SRD, because he was told that SRD had to remain at arm's length from the NRCB.
"The process from Kennedy is that there will be open houses, and they will not be as typically structured as Micrex generally does," said McKim. "The open houses will happen relatively quick."
The open houses would gather public input.
A panel hearing will be scheduled in the fall, he said.
McKim said that when the NRCB met with Micrex, the company was told it had to file an application with a $1,000 fee.
"As of last Friday (April 29), Micrex had not filed their $1,000," said McKim.
Chief administrative officer Greg Brkich said that there would not be any open houses until the application was filed.
"At this point, no news is good news," said Brkich.
"What I worry about, in my experience, is the ERCB and NRCB isn't there to say no," said Coun. Cam Gardner. "They probably have the power to say no, but the government has already given the licence to them. I don't think this is necessarily a positive step."
"Really, do they ever refuse an application?" asked Coun. Ron Davis.
"I hope they put them through so much red tape and process that they give up. This is just going to get longer. As long as it's been, it's only going to get worse," said Gardner.
McKim said their concerns were that it wasn't the best use for the land. The economics of it aren't worth the impact. Although the company had promised jobs to area residents, it would only provide part-time employment to a couple of people. The mine would not be a service to the area, and there would be no social benefit to it.
"I feel bad that you're living where you're living, and fighting the good fight, and this has been dumped in your back yard," said Gardner. "I feel sorry for you."
"Anyone who would tear up that hill for that sort of profit is just a criminal."
Davis told McKim that Ranchland's position on the development has not changed, and that they would continue to oppose it.
Davis said that council hadn't heard anything from Micrex since an open house in Cowley in October.
McKim said that the land proposed for the mine was first purchased in the 1950s, and when that individual died, McKim's father-in-law had been offered the land. He refused it. It was eventually sold for $200,000, but the issue was Alberta Infrastructure purchased it back for $1 million, but that was just for the surface, not for the mineral rights.
"That's one thing I haven't heard on the radio — that at one time the government thought that it was worth $1 million to protect the surface," said Gardner.
McKim will be making presentations to the MD of Pincher Creek and to Crowsnest Pass council meetings on May 10.
Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The down and dirty on 'Bridgecreek'
Alberta Venture
by Joni MacFarlane
Troubled Waters: The Rough Side of Real Estate Investing in Alberta
A pair of salesmen told an Alberta coal mining town that it could be a resort destination. Six years later, the scenic Crowsnest Pass is still learning a tough lesson about easy money and the business of real estate
When property developers Bill Bradley and Colin Becker arrived in Crowsnest Pass, the business partners declared that their company, Bridgegate Development Corp., which later became known as Bridgecreek, would turn the area into a Rocky Mountain resort destination.
In the mountainous corner of southwestern Alberta, Bridgecreek proposed two developments. Both were billed as luxurious and every bit as sophisticated as Canmore and Fernie. Bradley called it one of the most exciting projects of his life. “It’s going to be so phenomenal, not only for the Crowsnest Pass, but for the whole world,” he told local media.
The community didn’t realize Bridgecreek had already started another real estate development project that was left unfinished in Canmore. The municipality let Bridgecreek start laying the groundwork for construction.
[Related: The Alberta Venture Podcast: The Dangers of Discount U.S. Real Estate ]
Today the only evidence of development is a few rusting earthmovers in a field of weeds along a stretch of coal-scarred land. That sad tableau of a development that never was still serves as an all-too-visible reminder to area residents of the dreams they once had and to angry investors of the millions of dollars they’re still waiting to collect.
The future looked bright in 2005 when Bridgecreek presented Crowsnest Pass municipal council with a proposal for a 27-acre project on Crowsnest Lake. Dubbed Bridgegate Resort Village, it got rave reviews from municipal council and residents eager for a long-awaited economic boom.
The first phase was slated for early 2007 and grew to include a luxury hotel with a conference centre, condos, an indoor aquatic and fitness centre and a 5,000-seat indoor skating rink. Initial plans included a marina on Crowsnest Lake, which locals say is too cold and windy for water sports or boating. The total price tag for all amenities raised the projected costs to $1.8 billion.
According to an offering memorandum from subsidiary company Bridgegate Financial Corp. dated January 2006, the appraised value of the land was $19.1 million, based on direct comparisons with destination resort sites such as Invermere and Canmore. A source close to the story said Bridgecreek paid just $1.5 million. The land was rezoned and the area structure plan and subdivision gained municipal approval.
[Related: Edmonton Realtor brings a new perspective to the market ]
A Bridgecreek press release said the 2006 offering memorandum would raise $50 million for land servicing. Investors would have a chance to achieve returns of 8.25 per cent over a five-year term, plus 25 per cent equity participation for a minimum $10,000 RRSP-eligible investment.
In addition to the $1.5 million paid for the land, Bradley said the company invested more than $900,000 in 2006 in third-party costs that included planning and infrastructure studies. Bradley told the Calgary Herald in June of 2006 that Bridgecreek was offering full or fractional ownership in order to open the property up to everyone. “Initially, we’re going to focus on Albertans and people from Saskatchewan, but eventually the market will expand to [become] an international destination attraction.”
Four months later, Bridgecreek bought a 52-acre stretch of land sandwiched between Highway 3 and the Crowsnest River for $1.8 million. This second acquisition gave Bridgecreek two desirable pieces of municipal real estate: one nestled on the shores of the nearby Crowsnest Lake; the other, right in the middle of town.
It, too, was appraised at Canmore prices and valued at more than $14 million. Plans for this second property, River Run, included a resort hotel with pool and conference centre, retail shops, mid- and low-density residential housing, commercial properties and, eventually, seniors’ housing. Again the land was rezoned and again council approved an area structure plan.
[Related: Sam Kolias, chairman and CEO, Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust]
A multi-stage development agreement from July 2007 called for a deposit of $10.3 million to be held as surety from the developer for construction and installation of municipal improvements such as water and sewer systems. But no cheque was ever cut.
The municipality was supposed to receive legal protection in the form of a letter of credit, certified cheque, promissory note or other form of security from the developer. Typically, this is usually collected once a development agreement is signed and before building begins. But the policy was flexible in terms of what was allowed on the land before receiving payment. In Bridgecreek’s case, earthwork proceeded for many months but the municipality never collected a deposit, a move some councillors came to regret.
Meanwhile, money poured in for the Bridgecreek proposal from investors around the world. A marketing campaign included the opening of an investment office in Amsterdam to attract European investors. Then-mayor Dr. John Irwin was featured in a promotional video touting the project, and one councillor, Gary Taje, went on the company’s payroll, although he excused himself from council discussions and votes on the issue. At that time, the municipality had no formal conflict-of-interest policies for elected officials.
An attractive sales centre was built on the site of an old glass shop in Blairmore and was to feature model suites, maps and scale displays of what the developments would look like.
[Related: Sergeant Salesman]
The marketing pitch was polished, with Bradley stressing that Crowsnest Pass was the last community to reinvent itself in Alberta’s Rockies. In early 2007, Bradley said the company had raised close to $20 million in investments over the past year. A waiting list held more than 1,400 buyers for the lake project, and another 1,000 were waiting for the River Run project. A development permit application that would list a value in excess of $300 million was close to being filed, he said.
“There is a huge pent-up demand for the Crowsnest Pass,” Bradley said at the time. “The [overall] Crowsnest Lake development will be the largest mountain resort in the whole world – three times bigger than Banff Springs.” But to date, nothing has been built on either property. Neither Bradley nor Becker was available for comment on the Bridgecreek developments.
During the marketing effort, Bridgecreek installed itself in downtown Calgary digs, though Bradley and Becker were often seen in “the Pass” driving around and dining in local eateries. Not much was known about the developers, but Bradley and Becker soon became familiar in the area, cutting high-profile figures in a rural municipality more comfortable with hiking boots and flannel than power suits.
As investment dollars continued to flow in, so too did the expenses. Bradley said at the time that Bridgecreek spent half a million dollars on design consultants. Neither site has seen a contractor or construction crew, but the development team insisted construction was just around the corner. In June 2008, Bridgecreek project manager Cameron Gillies told a local newspaper that while it may not have appeared that much was happening, a lot of activity was going on behind the scenes. “We are doing it the logical and rational way,” said Gillies, adding that in large-scale projects of this nature, the wheels tend to move slowly. River Run, he said, was actually ahead of schedule.
[Related: The Housing Bubble and Divorce]
n October 2008, Bradley said Bridgecreek had invested more than $22 million in the Crowsnest properties, but didn’t specify where or how the money was spent. Nothing ever happened at the lake project and the only hint that any activity had taken place at the River Run site was the abandoned earthmovers that sat idle on it. Bridgecreek blamed the recession.
At the time, neither Bradley nor Becker was required to be registered with the Alberta Securities Commission. Bridgecreek raised millions of dollars through exemptions filed with the ASC, which allowed Bradley and Becker to raise capital with little to no requirement for disclosure. In June 2008, the B.C. Securities Commission issued a cease-trade order for Bridgegate Mortgage Corp. – another Bradley and Becker company that raised money for the Crowsnest Pass properties. After only nine months, the company had defaulted on interest payments to investors, claiming that there was no money left for the project.
A paralegal at Dutch law firm Bartels Advocaten, which specializes in investment fraud, confirmed that it was contacted by Dutch bondholders of the River Run project. The bondholders, who invested about $9.5 million, stopped receiving interest payments in early 2009 and were left wondering where their money had gone. By mid-2009, Bridgecreek closed its Calgary office amid rumours of financial difficulty
Crowsnest Cross-Up
There were at least six separate groups with investments in the River Run project. Critics claim the creation of multiple companies under the Bridgecreek umbrella was a strategy used to create confusion, as investors were unable to track where their dollars were spent.
Cameron Ross, a Calgary real estate developer, says he’s not surprised that Bridgecreek hasn’t produced any bricks-and-mortar results. Ross says he and another partner had a brief business association with Bradley and Becker 20 years ago, one that ended up with considerable losses. “[They] may try to blame the downturn in the economy for Bridgecreek’s demise, but if nothing gets built it is really immaterial what the market is doing.
“It appears that a lot of money was raised from Bridgecreek investors with little or nothing to show for it today.”
At a special shareholders’ meeting held in January 2010, Bradley told investors the company had raised 14 per cent of its goal – a total of $32 million – and the “mortgage proceeds have been spent.” A breakdown of the spending was provided for $17 million and included a non-recoverable intercompany loan of $5 million to Canmore’s Bighorn project. The meeting left more questions unanswered and an angry group unwilling to invest another dime. The Crowsnest Pass mayor and chief administrative officer appeared at the meeting, where Bridgecreek asked investors for another $2.5 million to kick-start the project. The proposal was flatly rejected.
Irwin, the former Crowsnest Pass mayor, says he believes the demands put on Bridgecreek were higher than those placed on other developers. The company, he says, was asked to do too much all at once, such as building roads and bridges and installing water and sewer systems in addition to paying property tax on the land. “[Municipal council] put more demands on them than other developers and they tried to meet them,” he says. “They were not treated fairly, certainly not like everyone else.”
Myron Achtman, the chairman of River Run Vistas Steering Committee – one of the investor groups that invested $14 million – says the group voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking the project into its own hands. Although he’s now talking with someone interested in seeing the development go through, he is not hopeful. “I’m not optimistic about ever seeing my money,” he says. “Where are we going to get more money to start this? No one in our group would put up another penny.”
Other investor groups are unwilling to come forward, either because they’ve given up on ever seeing a dime or out of fear of jeopardizing potential lawsuits.
Legal action is already afoot, in fact. Robert Kubke, the chair of the Bridgegate OM2 Investor Group that represents the majority of investors in the Crowsnest Lake resort project, says the matter is the subject of court proceedings. “I can confirm … that our investment has not been repaid when it came due and we are taking legal action to pursue whatever we can recover.”
Investors and Crowsnest Pass residents are left to speculate over how much money in total was raised through the Bridgecreek companies. Speculators add up offering memorandums and bonds, but no one can offer proof of the total dollar figure raised for development at the two Crowsnest Pass properties.
Five and a half years after the splashy unveiling of the project, many Bridgecreek investors’ hopes for Crowsnest Pass are dead. While various investor groups are left to fight over the scraps, the community is dealing with an environmental mess that could cost millions to resolve. They won’t be able to pay that bill by selling the land, either, as outstanding liens and unpaid taxes could delay any potential sale for years.
Dean Ward, a former councillor who was in office over the course of the Bridgecreek fiasco, admits that local politicians fell hard for the sales pitch. He now regrets that council did not collect a deposit to protect taxpayers. “Don’t get caught up in the glitz and glamour,” he says. “Attending developer golf tournaments and going for
celebratory drinks after zoning is approved [is] not good practice in a small town. The more promises you get, the more the lights should go on.”
The voters of Crowsnest Pass elected a new mayor and council in the fall of 2010. While many factors were at play, some believe members of the previous council were punished for their relationship with the developer. Only one of six incumbents running for re-election was returned to office. But they left the community with something of a going-away present: a ratified policy that will ensure that all future developments – both large and small – would provide 100 per cent security of the estimated construction costs for municipal and utility improvements before a shovel goes in the ground.
The municipality approved another policy prohibiting councillor endorsements of private enterprises – a conflict-of-interest measure directly related to involvement of elected officials in Bridgecreek.
“The municipality and the developer should be seen to be at arm’s length,” says Ward. “While a councillor working for a developer and a mayor appearing in promotional material and attending shareholders’ meetings may not be illegal, it certainly enhances the credibility of the developer to the outside world.”
One thing everyone agrees on is that the Bridgecreek boys were exceptional salesmen. Crowsnest Pass was eager to see the type of growth experienced in other mountain towns and the municipality got caught up in the whirlwind of possibility. When things began turning sour, Bradley accused the community of pessimism.
While lawyers figure out how to restructure the Bridgecreek group of companies and investors seek ways to move forward with development, the Crowsnest Pass properties remain stuck in legal limbo. The municipality, meanwhile, is left with an unsightly plot of land that it may be responsible for cleaning up. And as for Bradley and Becker, they filed for personal bankruptcy in January 2011.
For his part, Crowsnest Pass’s new mayor isn’t about to stand idly by any longer. Bruce Decoux has given notice that something will be done about the mess that Bradley and Becker left behind in his community. “There are certain steps a municipality can take,” he says. If there’s one thing that’s certain, though, it’s that those steps won’t be enough to return his community to where it was before Bill Bradley and Colin Becker rolled into town.
Memorandum Globetrotters
Bill Bradley and Colin Becker’s privately incorporated company, Bridgecreek, was involved in two other major real estate development projects.
Bighorn Mountain Resort in Canmore was a high-end private residence club offering fractional ownership. About $15 million was raised in secured first mortgages and the project was regularly cited as one of the company’s key real estate deals.
According to one Canmore investor, Malcolm Achtman, the developers continually made management changes, tweaking designs and specifications. It was a constant loop of build, change, tear out, rebuild, change and rebuild. When the project was about half-finished, it went into receivership. A group of 110 investors formed their own company and took control of the development. After taking charge, the investor group brought in additional capital and is working to bring the new development, Innoka Resort, to completion.
The Villa in Cathedral City, California, was a resort hotel that Bradley and Becker purchased for about $4 million. They hired a local contractor and demolished it – gutting buildings, ripping out the pool – while wooing potential investors to secure funding. A second property, used for movie shoots and magazine photos, was purchased for about $2 million and was similarly demolished and left abandoned. Today, both properties sit vacant.
Source: Troubled Waters: The Rough Side of Real Estate Investing in Alberta
No one can earn a million dollars honestly.
by Joni MacFarlane
Troubled Waters: The Rough Side of Real Estate Investing in Alberta
A pair of salesmen told an Alberta coal mining town that it could be a resort destination. Six years later, the scenic Crowsnest Pass is still learning a tough lesson about easy money and the business of real estate
When property developers Bill Bradley and Colin Becker arrived in Crowsnest Pass, the business partners declared that their company, Bridgegate Development Corp., which later became known as Bridgecreek, would turn the area into a Rocky Mountain resort destination.
In the mountainous corner of southwestern Alberta, Bridgecreek proposed two developments. Both were billed as luxurious and every bit as sophisticated as Canmore and Fernie. Bradley called it one of the most exciting projects of his life. “It’s going to be so phenomenal, not only for the Crowsnest Pass, but for the whole world,” he told local media.
The community didn’t realize Bridgecreek had already started another real estate development project that was left unfinished in Canmore. The municipality let Bridgecreek start laying the groundwork for construction.
[Related: The Alberta Venture Podcast: The Dangers of Discount U.S. Real Estate ]
Today the only evidence of development is a few rusting earthmovers in a field of weeds along a stretch of coal-scarred land. That sad tableau of a development that never was still serves as an all-too-visible reminder to area residents of the dreams they once had and to angry investors of the millions of dollars they’re still waiting to collect.
The future looked bright in 2005 when Bridgecreek presented Crowsnest Pass municipal council with a proposal for a 27-acre project on Crowsnest Lake. Dubbed Bridgegate Resort Village, it got rave reviews from municipal council and residents eager for a long-awaited economic boom.
The first phase was slated for early 2007 and grew to include a luxury hotel with a conference centre, condos, an indoor aquatic and fitness centre and a 5,000-seat indoor skating rink. Initial plans included a marina on Crowsnest Lake, which locals say is too cold and windy for water sports or boating. The total price tag for all amenities raised the projected costs to $1.8 billion.
According to an offering memorandum from subsidiary company Bridgegate Financial Corp. dated January 2006, the appraised value of the land was $19.1 million, based on direct comparisons with destination resort sites such as Invermere and Canmore. A source close to the story said Bridgecreek paid just $1.5 million. The land was rezoned and the area structure plan and subdivision gained municipal approval.
[Related: Edmonton Realtor brings a new perspective to the market ]
A Bridgecreek press release said the 2006 offering memorandum would raise $50 million for land servicing. Investors would have a chance to achieve returns of 8.25 per cent over a five-year term, plus 25 per cent equity participation for a minimum $10,000 RRSP-eligible investment.
In addition to the $1.5 million paid for the land, Bradley said the company invested more than $900,000 in 2006 in third-party costs that included planning and infrastructure studies. Bradley told the Calgary Herald in June of 2006 that Bridgecreek was offering full or fractional ownership in order to open the property up to everyone. “Initially, we’re going to focus on Albertans and people from Saskatchewan, but eventually the market will expand to [become] an international destination attraction.”
Four months later, Bridgecreek bought a 52-acre stretch of land sandwiched between Highway 3 and the Crowsnest River for $1.8 million. This second acquisition gave Bridgecreek two desirable pieces of municipal real estate: one nestled on the shores of the nearby Crowsnest Lake; the other, right in the middle of town.
It, too, was appraised at Canmore prices and valued at more than $14 million. Plans for this second property, River Run, included a resort hotel with pool and conference centre, retail shops, mid- and low-density residential housing, commercial properties and, eventually, seniors’ housing. Again the land was rezoned and again council approved an area structure plan.
[Related: Sam Kolias, chairman and CEO, Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust]
A multi-stage development agreement from July 2007 called for a deposit of $10.3 million to be held as surety from the developer for construction and installation of municipal improvements such as water and sewer systems. But no cheque was ever cut.
The municipality was supposed to receive legal protection in the form of a letter of credit, certified cheque, promissory note or other form of security from the developer. Typically, this is usually collected once a development agreement is signed and before building begins. But the policy was flexible in terms of what was allowed on the land before receiving payment. In Bridgecreek’s case, earthwork proceeded for many months but the municipality never collected a deposit, a move some councillors came to regret.
Meanwhile, money poured in for the Bridgecreek proposal from investors around the world. A marketing campaign included the opening of an investment office in Amsterdam to attract European investors. Then-mayor Dr. John Irwin was featured in a promotional video touting the project, and one councillor, Gary Taje, went on the company’s payroll, although he excused himself from council discussions and votes on the issue. At that time, the municipality had no formal conflict-of-interest policies for elected officials.
An attractive sales centre was built on the site of an old glass shop in Blairmore and was to feature model suites, maps and scale displays of what the developments would look like.
[Related: Sergeant Salesman]
The marketing pitch was polished, with Bradley stressing that Crowsnest Pass was the last community to reinvent itself in Alberta’s Rockies. In early 2007, Bradley said the company had raised close to $20 million in investments over the past year. A waiting list held more than 1,400 buyers for the lake project, and another 1,000 were waiting for the River Run project. A development permit application that would list a value in excess of $300 million was close to being filed, he said.
“There is a huge pent-up demand for the Crowsnest Pass,” Bradley said at the time. “The [overall] Crowsnest Lake development will be the largest mountain resort in the whole world – three times bigger than Banff Springs.” But to date, nothing has been built on either property. Neither Bradley nor Becker was available for comment on the Bridgecreek developments.
During the marketing effort, Bridgecreek installed itself in downtown Calgary digs, though Bradley and Becker were often seen in “the Pass” driving around and dining in local eateries. Not much was known about the developers, but Bradley and Becker soon became familiar in the area, cutting high-profile figures in a rural municipality more comfortable with hiking boots and flannel than power suits.
As investment dollars continued to flow in, so too did the expenses. Bradley said at the time that Bridgecreek spent half a million dollars on design consultants. Neither site has seen a contractor or construction crew, but the development team insisted construction was just around the corner. In June 2008, Bridgecreek project manager Cameron Gillies told a local newspaper that while it may not have appeared that much was happening, a lot of activity was going on behind the scenes. “We are doing it the logical and rational way,” said Gillies, adding that in large-scale projects of this nature, the wheels tend to move slowly. River Run, he said, was actually ahead of schedule.
[Related: The Housing Bubble and Divorce]
n October 2008, Bradley said Bridgecreek had invested more than $22 million in the Crowsnest properties, but didn’t specify where or how the money was spent. Nothing ever happened at the lake project and the only hint that any activity had taken place at the River Run site was the abandoned earthmovers that sat idle on it. Bridgecreek blamed the recession.
At the time, neither Bradley nor Becker was required to be registered with the Alberta Securities Commission. Bridgecreek raised millions of dollars through exemptions filed with the ASC, which allowed Bradley and Becker to raise capital with little to no requirement for disclosure. In June 2008, the B.C. Securities Commission issued a cease-trade order for Bridgegate Mortgage Corp. – another Bradley and Becker company that raised money for the Crowsnest Pass properties. After only nine months, the company had defaulted on interest payments to investors, claiming that there was no money left for the project.
A paralegal at Dutch law firm Bartels Advocaten, which specializes in investment fraud, confirmed that it was contacted by Dutch bondholders of the River Run project. The bondholders, who invested about $9.5 million, stopped receiving interest payments in early 2009 and were left wondering where their money had gone. By mid-2009, Bridgecreek closed its Calgary office amid rumours of financial difficulty
Crowsnest Cross-Up
There were at least six separate groups with investments in the River Run project. Critics claim the creation of multiple companies under the Bridgecreek umbrella was a strategy used to create confusion, as investors were unable to track where their dollars were spent.
Cameron Ross, a Calgary real estate developer, says he’s not surprised that Bridgecreek hasn’t produced any bricks-and-mortar results. Ross says he and another partner had a brief business association with Bradley and Becker 20 years ago, one that ended up with considerable losses. “[They] may try to blame the downturn in the economy for Bridgecreek’s demise, but if nothing gets built it is really immaterial what the market is doing.
“It appears that a lot of money was raised from Bridgecreek investors with little or nothing to show for it today.”
At a special shareholders’ meeting held in January 2010, Bradley told investors the company had raised 14 per cent of its goal – a total of $32 million – and the “mortgage proceeds have been spent.” A breakdown of the spending was provided for $17 million and included a non-recoverable intercompany loan of $5 million to Canmore’s Bighorn project. The meeting left more questions unanswered and an angry group unwilling to invest another dime. The Crowsnest Pass mayor and chief administrative officer appeared at the meeting, where Bridgecreek asked investors for another $2.5 million to kick-start the project. The proposal was flatly rejected.
Irwin, the former Crowsnest Pass mayor, says he believes the demands put on Bridgecreek were higher than those placed on other developers. The company, he says, was asked to do too much all at once, such as building roads and bridges and installing water and sewer systems in addition to paying property tax on the land. “[Municipal council] put more demands on them than other developers and they tried to meet them,” he says. “They were not treated fairly, certainly not like everyone else.”
Myron Achtman, the chairman of River Run Vistas Steering Committee – one of the investor groups that invested $14 million – says the group voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking the project into its own hands. Although he’s now talking with someone interested in seeing the development go through, he is not hopeful. “I’m not optimistic about ever seeing my money,” he says. “Where are we going to get more money to start this? No one in our group would put up another penny.”
Other investor groups are unwilling to come forward, either because they’ve given up on ever seeing a dime or out of fear of jeopardizing potential lawsuits.
Legal action is already afoot, in fact. Robert Kubke, the chair of the Bridgegate OM2 Investor Group that represents the majority of investors in the Crowsnest Lake resort project, says the matter is the subject of court proceedings. “I can confirm … that our investment has not been repaid when it came due and we are taking legal action to pursue whatever we can recover.”
Investors and Crowsnest Pass residents are left to speculate over how much money in total was raised through the Bridgecreek companies. Speculators add up offering memorandums and bonds, but no one can offer proof of the total dollar figure raised for development at the two Crowsnest Pass properties.
Five and a half years after the splashy unveiling of the project, many Bridgecreek investors’ hopes for Crowsnest Pass are dead. While various investor groups are left to fight over the scraps, the community is dealing with an environmental mess that could cost millions to resolve. They won’t be able to pay that bill by selling the land, either, as outstanding liens and unpaid taxes could delay any potential sale for years.
Dean Ward, a former councillor who was in office over the course of the Bridgecreek fiasco, admits that local politicians fell hard for the sales pitch. He now regrets that council did not collect a deposit to protect taxpayers. “Don’t get caught up in the glitz and glamour,” he says. “Attending developer golf tournaments and going for
celebratory drinks after zoning is approved [is] not good practice in a small town. The more promises you get, the more the lights should go on.”
The voters of Crowsnest Pass elected a new mayor and council in the fall of 2010. While many factors were at play, some believe members of the previous council were punished for their relationship with the developer. Only one of six incumbents running for re-election was returned to office. But they left the community with something of a going-away present: a ratified policy that will ensure that all future developments – both large and small – would provide 100 per cent security of the estimated construction costs for municipal and utility improvements before a shovel goes in the ground.
The municipality approved another policy prohibiting councillor endorsements of private enterprises – a conflict-of-interest measure directly related to involvement of elected officials in Bridgecreek.
“The municipality and the developer should be seen to be at arm’s length,” says Ward. “While a councillor working for a developer and a mayor appearing in promotional material and attending shareholders’ meetings may not be illegal, it certainly enhances the credibility of the developer to the outside world.”
One thing everyone agrees on is that the Bridgecreek boys were exceptional salesmen. Crowsnest Pass was eager to see the type of growth experienced in other mountain towns and the municipality got caught up in the whirlwind of possibility. When things began turning sour, Bradley accused the community of pessimism.
While lawyers figure out how to restructure the Bridgecreek group of companies and investors seek ways to move forward with development, the Crowsnest Pass properties remain stuck in legal limbo. The municipality, meanwhile, is left with an unsightly plot of land that it may be responsible for cleaning up. And as for Bradley and Becker, they filed for personal bankruptcy in January 2011.
For his part, Crowsnest Pass’s new mayor isn’t about to stand idly by any longer. Bruce Decoux has given notice that something will be done about the mess that Bradley and Becker left behind in his community. “There are certain steps a municipality can take,” he says. If there’s one thing that’s certain, though, it’s that those steps won’t be enough to return his community to where it was before Bill Bradley and Colin Becker rolled into town.
Memorandum Globetrotters
Bill Bradley and Colin Becker’s privately incorporated company, Bridgecreek, was involved in two other major real estate development projects.
Bighorn Mountain Resort in Canmore was a high-end private residence club offering fractional ownership. About $15 million was raised in secured first mortgages and the project was regularly cited as one of the company’s key real estate deals.
According to one Canmore investor, Malcolm Achtman, the developers continually made management changes, tweaking designs and specifications. It was a constant loop of build, change, tear out, rebuild, change and rebuild. When the project was about half-finished, it went into receivership. A group of 110 investors formed their own company and took control of the development. After taking charge, the investor group brought in additional capital and is working to bring the new development, Innoka Resort, to completion.
The Villa in Cathedral City, California, was a resort hotel that Bradley and Becker purchased for about $4 million. They hired a local contractor and demolished it – gutting buildings, ripping out the pool – while wooing potential investors to secure funding. A second property, used for movie shoots and magazine photos, was purchased for about $2 million and was similarly demolished and left abandoned. Today, both properties sit vacant.
Source: Troubled Waters: The Rough Side of Real Estate Investing in Alberta
No one can earn a million dollars honestly.
Being Red, I'm so Blue I could cry
The people have spoken and over 60% said "no way, Jose" to the HarperCONS, and yet, because less than 40% voted for him and his party we now have a despot in power having a majority government? This is too Orwellian, even for me?
Our friend Chloe said it best, "The despot and his duly elected cabal are now free to start tearing down medicare, CPP and cancelling just about every program that makes life better for the disadvantaged." I agree and would add a meaner, greedier, intolerant, unforgiving and baser form of government has been elected to run ramshod over us all and as a result, god help us all!
When the media refuses to inform and the public no longer questions, that truly is the beginning of the end of democracy.
On the positive side, I am glad to see the Greens finally get a seat, and that it is Elizabeth May who will occupy that seat. I expect her one voice to be like a fog horn at sea sending out a deep booming blast from time to time warning people of impending danger, while at the same time reassuring those on board that someone is on watch.
The orange wave obviously did not sweep far and wide enough as expected although it did carry far enough to give the NDP the most seats they have ever had and a place as official opposition which is an historic break through for the party.
In my opinion Iggy and the Liberals did not deserve what they got and we as a country are now poorer as a result. Will the inevitable now happen with the merger of the Liberals with the NDP, or will they rebuild to fight another day?
I'm sorry for Duceppe (but not about the Bloc) as he will be missed. Straight, honest talk is hard to find in Ottawa.
All in all, last night can best be summed up by the following quote "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times"... and now, it is time for progressives to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and prepare to fight again, for it is but a battle that has been lost, the war is still winnable, just not today, but for sure we will win tomorrow.
In the part of this universe that we know there is great injustice, and often the good suffer, and often the wicked prosper, and one hardly knows which of those is the more annoying.
Our friend Chloe said it best, "The despot and his duly elected cabal are now free to start tearing down medicare, CPP and cancelling just about every program that makes life better for the disadvantaged." I agree and would add a meaner, greedier, intolerant, unforgiving and baser form of government has been elected to run ramshod over us all and as a result, god help us all!
When the media refuses to inform and the public no longer questions, that truly is the beginning of the end of democracy.
On the positive side, I am glad to see the Greens finally get a seat, and that it is Elizabeth May who will occupy that seat. I expect her one voice to be like a fog horn at sea sending out a deep booming blast from time to time warning people of impending danger, while at the same time reassuring those on board that someone is on watch.
The orange wave obviously did not sweep far and wide enough as expected although it did carry far enough to give the NDP the most seats they have ever had and a place as official opposition which is an historic break through for the party.
In my opinion Iggy and the Liberals did not deserve what they got and we as a country are now poorer as a result. Will the inevitable now happen with the merger of the Liberals with the NDP, or will they rebuild to fight another day?
I'm sorry for Duceppe (but not about the Bloc) as he will be missed. Straight, honest talk is hard to find in Ottawa.
All in all, last night can best be summed up by the following quote "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times"... and now, it is time for progressives to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and prepare to fight again, for it is but a battle that has been lost, the war is still winnable, just not today, but for sure we will win tomorrow.
In the part of this universe that we know there is great injustice, and often the good suffer, and often the wicked prosper, and one hardly knows which of those is the more annoying.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
It's Time! Time to 'kick ass' Boys & Girls
Tomorrow morning it's Voting Time. Tomorrow you decide the future for our country. Decide wisely. Make your vote count!
And remember your ABC's - "Anybody but Conservative"
Why Does Stephen Harper Want To Be Prime Minister, Anyway?
25 reasons Stephen Harper is bad for Canada
Vote strategically
A Patriot is merely a rebel at the start. In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.
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