General Updates and News

[eastcoastal]

Originally Posted by curnhalio

POST DELETED

Plenty of people are capable of irrational, emotional rambling.

[JET]

Originally Posted by curnhalio

POST DELETED

there was a forum member banned for making homophobic remarks (so I've heard, I away at the time) another member makes misogynistic comments and no bats an eye. If there are not any women members on this forum, there is no wonder why. Any thoughts on this from a moderator?

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by JET

there was a forum member banned for making homophobic remarks (so I've heard, I away at the time) another member makes misogynistic comments and no bats an eye. If there are not any women members on this forum, there is no wonder why. Any thoughts on this from a moderator?

Have to agree. Just seeing those comments now. Very out of line.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by JET

there was a forum member banned for making homophobic remarks (so I've heard, I away at the time) another member makes misogynistic comments and no bats an eye. If there are not any women members on this forum, there is no wonder why. Any thoughts on this from a moderator?

Good catch. I saw the post but did not see the last sentence.

I can't speak about former members but yes homophobic/sexist/racist remarks are not allowed on the forum. People are allowed their opinions but it must be expressed in a way that is not degrading to others.

If myself or the other moderators do not catch problem posts please use the report option on the top-right of each post and one of the admins will respond promptly.

[JET]

should the quote also be deleted in post 5661?

[curnhalio]

I apologize for my comments, and to those who I have offended. My intention was not to offend anyone. I took my dislike of people who use emotion as their sole base for preventing development too far, and it was unnecessary.

[JET]

Originally Posted by curnhalio

I apologize for my comments, and to those who I have offended. My intention was not to offend anyone. I took my dislike of people who use emotion as their sole base for preventing development too far, and it was unnecessary.

Thanks, we'll move on.

[counterfactual]

Anyone see this?


"Ad urges end to Nova Centre protest"

Over 300 take out full page in Herald to back convention centre, other developments

Over 300 businesses and individuals put their names to a full-page ad in The Chronicle Herald on Wednesday that criticizes continued obstruction of the new Halifax Convention Centre and other projects by groups like Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia.

The advertisement, with a headline It’s Time to be Bold, says Halifax is at a critical economic juncture and that timely investments in infrastructure are essential to economic prosperity and growth.

“Finding people to invest in our region is challenging and we cannot afford to discourage attempts to make this city great,” the ad said.

“Groups like Heritage Trust must focus on their own mandate and leave the business of economic development to those who step up to advance our city.”

Business colleagues Wadih Fares of WM Fares Group, Phil Otto of Revolve and Robert Zed of Triangle Strategies are behind the ad, which contains the names of a wide array of supporters such as developers, construction and property management companies, advertising agencies, lumber companies, restaurants, and clothing and insurance outlets.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/1220054-ad-urges-end-to-nova-centre-protest

[JET]

the mighty 300 taking on the Heritage Trust; that should shut them up eh? Nothing like a fair fight.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by JET

the mighty 300 taking on the Heritage Trust; that should shut them up eh? Nothing like a fair fight.

It is weird. Halifax is definitely odd in this regard—and while I agree with Wadih Fares in the first clip (i.e., "Why don't they put their resources to actually preserving our heritage properties?") I think it's a bit weird for a bunch of pretty well-to-do businesspeople, who are more or less getting their way, to start dumping all over a citizens group. (Even if I do have major problems with said group.)

[ILoveHalifax]

It has not been a fair fight for years.
The so called heritage trust has been obstructing development for decades, costing the developers millions of extra dollars.
The final result is that we the people of Halifax have to pay for those extra costs in our rents and mortgages. Additionally there is a lack of jobs both in construction, and on going jobs. We loose out on attracting investment into our local economy. Citizens of Halifax are forced to go elsewhere for work.
Hopefully the heritage trust will be forced to close down and disband, since they don't have a clear mandate.

[JET]

Originally Posted by ILoveHalifax

It has not been a fair fight for years.
The so called heritage trust has been obstructing development for decades, costing the developers millions of extra dollars.
The final result is that we the people of Halifax have to pay for those extra costs in our rents and mortgages. Additionally there is a lack of jobs both in construction, and on going jobs. We loose out on attracting investment into our local economy. Citizens of Halifax are forced to go elsewhere for work.
Hopefully the heritage trust will be forced to close down and disband, since they don't have a clear mandate.

the funny thing about 'we the people' (a phrase that the Tea Baggers in the US use where a minority of folks puport to speak for the majority of folks)
is that 'the people' don't have one voice, we all get a say. I have a sense that most folks support development and Heritage. What I know is that the 300 don't speak for me; as a taxpayer I'm glad that i can support Heritage Trust, while also supporting development that follows the rules and respects/preserves built heritage.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by JET

I have a sense that most folks support development and Heritage.

I agree with that entirely. Unfortunately, the public discussion, as facilitated by the media (who tend to find it easiest to report on things in a combative he-said/she-said story structure) is entirely slanted to give voice to the loudest and simplest opinions on both sides.

[JET]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

I agree with that entirely. Unfortunately, the public discussion, as facilitated by the media (who tend to find it easiest to report on things in a combative he-said/she-said story structure) is entirely slanted to give voice to the loudest and simplest opinions on both sides.

I've been thinking that the last couple of days, the only stuff I read about HT in the news is when there is a conflict, I hardly ever see any of the good work that they do in the news.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by JET

I've been thinking that the last couple of days, the only stuff I read about HT in the news is when there is a conflict, I hardly ever see any of the good work that they do in the news.

We don't know if they do any good work. All we see/hear is obstructionism and "No!!!" from them just about every time anything is proposed downtown.

Frankly, they are a tiny, special-interest minority who have managed to derail development in downtown for over 20 years. Nobody voted for them, and it is highly questionable whether the policies adopted by HRM Council over the years have actual broad public support. Most people were not engaged in this debate and even now most voters are disconnected from the actual issues. The amount of misinformation they have put forward is astounding, yet it gets reported as fact by a lazy news media.

I hope they lose their collective shirts.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by ILoveHalifax

The final result is that we the people of Halifax have to pay for those extra costs in our rents and mortgages. Additionally there is a lack of jobs both in construction, and on going jobs. We loose out on attracting investment into our local economy. Citizens of Halifax are forced to go elsewhere for work.

Hmmm... just a little exaggeration, maybe? You really give them a lot of credit for their affect on the state of the city - didn't realize they wielded so much power.

Hopefully the heritage trust will be forced to close down and disband, since they don't have a clear mandate.

I would think a better solution for all would be for them to reorganize and develop a clear mandate focused on effectively protecting heritage buildings while working with developers to allow new development to coexist with heritage. Part of that work should include working with civic and provincial governments to develop laws which actually have the teeth to protect such properties and define reasonable compromises so as to not impede development unnecessarily.

[Colin May]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

We don't know if they do any good work. All we see/hear is obstructionism and "No!!!" from them just about every time anything is proposed downtown.

Frankly, they are a tiny, special-interest minority who have managed to derail development in downtown for over 20 years. Nobody voted for them, and it is highly questionable whether the policies adopted by HRM Council over the years have actual broad public support. Most people were not engaged in this debate and even now most voters are disconnected from the actual issues. The amount of misinformation they have put forward is astounding, yet it gets reported as fact by a lazy news media.

I hope they lose their collective shirts.

They won't lose their collective shirts to a bunch of crybabies.

Fares et al didn't complain when Louis Lawen appealed a community council decision to the UARB and delayed the 27 storey Can Euro tower. And Fares et al were silent when David Harrison the planning consultant for Lawen ripped the planning staff to shreds in the appeal hearing.

And Fares et al didn't complain when Monaco Investments appealed a community council decision to kill a planning application before any public hearing.
And Fares et all didn't complain when Monaco went to the UARB and planners hired by residents ripped to shreds the professional abilities of certain HRM planning staff.
You appear to prefer not to face facts. Go back and read the Bousquet article where he laid out the appoved developments that were never built, especially the Sobeys 25 year old permit for the MT land at Cogwell.

Fares et all are complaining because real estate sales in Dartmouth and Halifax are in the dumpster, condos aren't selling, and not many people can afford the rents in buildings that were touted as condos but now are rental buildings.

Wadih Fares told CBC radio that bankers and financial institutions were becoming worried at what is taking place in Halifax. Fares is implying that HT and others are the cause of banker concerns. The bankers are concerned because they expected to get paid out when the condos were sold and now developers can't quickly pay back the money they borrowed.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Colin May

.

Wadih Fares told CBC radio that bankers and financial institutions were becoming worried at what is taking place in Halifax. Fares is implying that HT and others are the cause of banker concerns. The bankers are concerned because they expected to get paid out when the condos were sold and now developers can't quickly pay back the money they borrowed.

That is patently nonsense. What bothers me more than the ad is that all these media outlets are doing "oh the poor developers" stories. Jesus. Could we have a more juvenile and simplistic civic dialogue around these issues? (No, probably we couldn't.)

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by Colin May

They won't lose their collective shirts to a bunch of crybabies.

Fares et al didn't complain when Louis Lawen appealed a community council decision to the UARB and delayed the 27 storey Can Euro tower. And Fares et al were silent when David Harrison the planning consultant for Lawen ripped the planning staff to shreds in the appeal hearing.

And Fares et al didn't complain when Monaco Investments appealed a community council decision to kill a planning application before any public hearing.
And Fares et all didn't complain when Monaco went to the UARB and planners hired by residents ripped to shreds the professional abilities of certain HRM planning staff.
You appear to prefer not to face facts. Go back and read the Bousquet article where he laid out the appoved developments that were never built, especially the Sobeys 25 year old permit for the MT land at Cogwell.

Fares et all are complaining because real estate sales in Dartmouth and Halifax are in the dumpster, condos aren't selling, and not many people can afford the rents in buildings that were touted as condos but now are rental buildings.

Wadih Fares told CBC radio that bankers and financial institutions were becoming worried at what is taking place in Halifax. Fares is implying that HT and others are the cause of banker concerns. The bankers are concerned because they expected to get paid out when the condos were sold and now developers can't quickly pay back the money they borrowed.

Call me crazy, but I get the sense you have a problem with Wadih Fares.

I don't. Like him or not, he's been a massive positive factor in building this city, as has the broader Lebanese community.

[counterfactual]

Originally Posted by JET

the funny thing about 'we the people' (a phrase that the Tea Baggers in the US use where a minority of folks puport to speak for the majority of folks)
is that 'the people' don't have one voice, we all get a say. I have a sense that most folks support development and Heritage. What I know is that the 300 don't speak for me; as a taxpayer I'm glad that i can support Heritage Trust, while also supporting development that follows the rules and respects/preserves built heritage.

I think most folks support development and they support heritage in the abstract, but in specific contexts, don't know a lot about heritage attached to a given building or development, but what they do know, is that the Heritage Trust likes to sue people and kill development.

I have absolutely *no* problem with these 300 business, political, and community leaders taking out this ad. This is free speech, and they're battling the Heritage Trust by trying to persuade via public opinion.

It's not like the politicians are working behind the scenes to cut HT funding, or gut them, or audit them. No political or corporate powers are being abused. Instead, they're expressing their opinion that what HT is doing is wrong.

And it *is* wrong. This development is one that has been endorsed and supported by three levels of democratically elected governments, including a municipal election where the big majority winning Mayoral candidate-- Mike Savage-- included support for Nova Centre as part of his campaign. It is also now at the very latest stage of pre-development after a lengthy public consultation, in which the public feedback certainly wasn't "block this!"; it was "improve the design this way and that way").

Barring a specific referendum on this development, which would be costly and unnecessary, this is the closest thing to the will of The People we might hope to have.

Instead, HT are using lawyers to fight the democratic will of The People as expressed through consultation and elected governments.

They're a special interest lobby group who need to rely on lawyers to fight their battles because they've been so tin-eared, so useless in doing what they're supposed to do-- preserve heritage, which includes, not polarizing the public against heritage with their idiotic litigation campaigns.

Haligonians look at this and see a massive hole in the ground downtown and HT battling to stop a developer from building on it. They're baffled: where is the heritage interest here? What are these Heritage clowns preserving? A hole in the ground?

I actually think this is preferable to the Ramia law suit. But Ramia has a right to sue HT, and HT now have a right to sue to block, and they have.

Just because they have a right to do so, doesn't make it a responsible thing to do.