Back to SearchFaye Ego, as president of the Wasaga Beach Ratepayers Association, is making false and egregious statements in a letter to the organization’s members.
Ms. Ego’s misleading message is also circulating on social media.
In the correspondence, Ms. Ego states the town clerk has delayed until Nov. 23 a presentation to council of a petition calling for a halt to the twin-pad arena and library project.
This is not true.
Ms. Ego contacted the town on Sept. 10 to see if she could submit the petition.
Staff provided her with the details of how to submit a petition and heard nothing further.
On Oct. 18, Ms. Ego again contacted the town with a follow-up question about submitting a petition, which staff replied to the same day.
Later in the day on Oct. 18, Ms. Ego submitted an electronic copy of the petition, but the petition did not include last names – as required by council’s procedural bylaw.
On Oct. 19, staff responded to Ms. Ego, noting that first and last names are required for petitions.
In addition, staff advised that two delegations were already booked for the October council meeting – the maximum number allowed under council’s procedural bylaw. Ms. Ego was also given the option to have the petition on the October council meeting to be received, or to present the petition at the November council meeting.
Staff asked Ms. Ego how she would like to proceed.
Ms. Ego responded and said they would present at the Nov. 23 council meeting.
Ms. Ego said the organization would provide its petition with first and last names before Nov. 17.
The clerk responded, noting the town requires the petition prior to confirming the association as a delegation for the November meeting.
Finally, on Oct. 20, the association submitted its petition with first and last names, as well as required supporting documents.
To be clear, delegation requests are first-come, first-served – subject to the meeting of procedural conditions.
In addition, Ms. Ego in her letter to association members states the twin-pad arena and library project will result in a $60-million increase to taxes. This is another falsehood that the town has addressed on several occasions and engaged people such as Ms. Ego ought to know better.
The town is paying for the twin-pad arena and library through long-term financing, development charges (money collected from developers to support infrastructure needs), reserves (money intentionally set aside to pay for infrastructure needs) and community fundraising.
See our Q&A to learn more about how we are funding the project.
See our Financial Plan for the project here.
The total project cost is $59-million.
The plan outlines how the town’s strategy will ensure the financial sustainability of the municipality. The plan notes the town’s strong financial position and its ability to take on large capital projects.
Ms. Ego also states that there will be a “beachfront wall of condos” and this is not true.
The selected developer, Slate Asset Management, is in negotiation with the town on a purchase and sale agreement, and development agreement, for the development of a defined area of town-owned land at the beachfront. This is land bound by Spruce Street, Mosley Street, Third Street and the beachfront. Historically, these lands have served multi-use purposes and the town aims to continue this in the years ahead.
The development will consist of condominiums as well as public and retail spaces. This will help rejuvenate the area, spurring further economic development. The development will not affect the beach itself.
The redevelopment of this area is rooted in the Downtown Master Plan, created through an extensive community consultation process. In the concept presented to council on May 20, there are one, three, four, five and six-storey buildings shown. See the concept.
Learn more about how the concept conforms to the Downtown Master Plan on our project page.
Learn more about the selection of Slate Asset Management L.P.
Ms. Ego also falsely states in her letter that the public is “shut-out” at town hall.
This is not true.
Town hall is open to the public and people can conduct business here at anytime during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In addition, all members of the public can watch committee and council meetings online and all council meetings have a question period for the public to ask questions related to agenda items. Statutory public meetings continue to be held on a variety of development related matters.
The town’s communications office continues to publish information about town affairs. The town website remains the best source for accurate information about municipal business.
Stay in touch with us the following ways:
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George Vadeboncoeur
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Wasaga Beach
30 Lewis Street, Wasaga Beach
Ontario, Canada L9Z 1A1
T. 705-429-3844 x2222
F. 705-429-6732
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