Patterson as Mayor - Success or Failure?

I encourage voters to take a hard look at Cal Patterson's campaign website before they cast their vote in this election. www.calpatterson.com I did, and I was shocked at some of the things that Patterson claims he has done over the years, and how he tries to take credit for everything good, but fails to mention all the bad he has done as Mayor of Wasaga Beach. Yes I know why would any candidate put anything negative on their campaign website.

Let's start off with his Photo Gallery. http://www.calpatterson.com/index.php?action=display&cat=2
If you scroll through the pictures you will notice that most of the pictures have nothing to do with him being Mayor of Wasaga Beach, but as Warden of Simcoe County.

Now let's move over to his posted list of accomplishments: http://www.calpatterson.com/index.php?action=display&cat=11
What I find interesting is that he tries to take credit for everything that council as a whole has done. Remember he's only one vote on council. One of the kickers for me is this "Approved the development of a commercial node at the Stonebridge Plaza with the opening of Wal-Mart, Boston Pizza, Swiss Chalet, etc. and a commercial node at Mosley and 45th street with the opening of the Superstore, Canadian Tire, retail and banking centre, and the Medical Centre".

He and council back before Stonebridge was developed, were kept in the dark as to what was being done with that land. I remember the uproar from residents when the trees were being removed from the land, and the town knew nothing about what was being done with that area. Patterson even went as far as taking full credit for bringing Wal-Mart to town, when in fact it was the owners of Stonebridge who worked very hard to convince Wal-Mart to open in Wasaga Beach. During the past 2 elections, who's been a major donor to the election campaign of Cal Patterson? that's right it's been the developers of Stonebridge, and the project on 45th street.

Patterson likes to bring up that it was him and him alone who's been able to attract doctors to the community. The fact is that the town offers to set-up doctors in the community by paying for their office space, and enticing them with money to relocate to Wasaga Beach. The taxpayers are the one's who are paying for this, and it's all of council who vote on this, and most matters that require the spending of tax payers money.

Most of the other items he's listed on his accomplishment page is not a result of Patterson's efforts, but that of town staff, and other members of council. While we are on the topic of accomplishments, we should address his failures which are many, but the biggest one is what has taken place at Beach area 1 and 2 since the fire back in 2007. We all know what happens when you team up with the Levy's who also were big donors to Patterson's election campaigns, and his causes around town and the county. It's one of Patterson's biggest failures as Mayor of Wasaga Beach. Business owners, average residents, students who were not paid, suppliers, all got screwed by the Levy's, but he won't admit it was his policies that allowed this to happen. His defense is that he's only one vote on council. Funny how he uses that line when things go wrong, but does not use that same line when good takes place in Wasaga Beach.

In the area of "Visions and Goals" http://www.calpatterson.com/index.php?action=display&cat=12
What really stood out for me was that he talks about how he's helped other families deal with Cancer. I know, and I give him credit for the fact that he donates his time to drive those needing chemo, or radiation treatment to Barrie. What most people don't know is that a once close friend of Patterson who I won't name out of respect for the family, had his wife dying of Cancer, and she needed assistance in getting back and forth for her treatments. At first Patterson would donate his time in helping this family out. All of that changed in 2010 when Patterson found out that the husband was supporting me in my bid to become Mayor. Patterson stopped talking to the family, he stopped driving the wife for her treatments, and all of this because the husband did not agree with Patterson's politics. Patterson put his political career and his need for power ahead of the needs of a family dealing with Cancer.

The bottom line is that the town needs a fresh start, it's needs new blood, and a new vision. It needs a leader who's not hated at Queens Park, who won't put his own political career ahead of the needs and wants of a town that's dying from the lack of proper development at our beach front. Anybody can claim that adding a skate park here, or making our roads wider, is an accomplishment that they are responsible for, but true leadership is actually leading, and not catering to the people or companies that donate their money to your election campaigns, or the causes that you as Mayor support.

When you vote, vote for the candidate you feel can make a difference in the next 4 years. But please vote.

Until next time!

Wasaga Beach Industrial Park? Do we even have one?

Let me first start off by saying that this blog post relates to speculation, and at the time of this posting I don't have solid proof, but rest assured it's being investigated.

How many voters in Wasaga Beach even know that the town has land which is slated as light industrial? How many voters know that while the town owns the land, they don't control the land?

Mario Cortelluchi the owner of Zancor Homes, controls the land which is owned by the town, and Mr. Cortelluchi is entitled to any and all monies from the sale of this land. Say what!!! The taxpayers own the land, and a developer is entitled to the proceeds of the sale of the land!

So after a bit of digging, I was able to find out that the water and sewer lines were installed by Zancor and it ran over budget by close to 1.6 million dollars. The town for whatever reason did not want to pay for it, so it seems that a deal was struck whereby Zancor would receive any monies from the sale by the town of such land.

To me it sounds like a great deal for Zancor, and a bad deal for the town, and the taxpayers. So here are a few more questions.

1.) Who approved this deal?
2.) Where are the minutes from a council meeting where the deal was approved? (I could not find it)
3.) Cortelluchi has donated money to each of Patterson's campaigns for the past several elections, and is this not a conflict of interest?
4.) Cortelluchi has also donated money to Carly's Angles, which is a good thing, but as this is a charity which is ran by the Patterson family, is this not also a conflict of interest?

This all goes back to one of my previous posts about how the developers in town are in the back pocket of the Mayor. Yes I know that developers have always donated to election campaigns, and will continue to do so until the laws are changed. But why is it that these same developers always seem to get great deals from the town?

Yes it's time for a change at town hall, and we need a leader who has promised not to accept donations from developers. We need a leader who won't be making back room deals, and who's transparent and accountable to the taxpayers.

So in closing if anybody has the answers to my questions above please feel free to post your comments, and I will NOT block any comments either positive or negative.

Until next time!

What Makes a Good Mayor?

With voters going to the polls next month all across Ontario to elect their members of council and mayors, one needs to ask themselves "What makes a good mayor?"

In Wasaga Beach you have 3 people running for Mayor. Current Mayor, Cal Patterson is seeking another term, Deputy Mayor, David Foster, is looking to move up to the big chair, and newcomer, Brian Smith is seeking to lead the town for the next 4 years.



Cal Patterson pictured above has been a fixture on town council for nearly 25 years. He started off by serving as a member of council for a few terms, then moved up to Deputy Mayor, and is now seeking his 4th term as Mayor. Politics can be a very funny business, as it sets up "political camps" and placed residents against one another so their candidate can get elected. Being Mayor, means he has a record to defend, and Patterson's record has gotten worse over the years, and Wasaga Beach has suffered because of his lack of leadership in attracting tourists to the town. Since the fire that destroyed most of beach area 1 back in 2007, we've only heard promise after promise being broken by this Mayor. He put his faith in the Levy brothers, and everyone knows how that worked out for the town. Does Cal Patterson know how to play the political game? the answer is a big yes, but does Cal Patterson know how to be a good and effective mayor? the answer is a big no.



Current Deputy Mayor, David Foster is seeking to step up to the big chair and become Mayor of Wasaga Beach. Foster like Patterson has served on council for many years. For Foster unlike Patterson, politics is just a part-time gig for him. He's currently employed with Scotiabank in Wasaga Beach. Foster is actively involved in the community and does a great job in managing his time between attending council meetings and county council meetings, while still having a full time job. Patterson on the other hand is retired and can devote his time to being both Mayor and Warden of Simcoe County. While I do like Foster, I find he's not done much during his time on council both as Deputy Mayor and just a regular member of council. Could it be that he's just one voice with little to no power? or could it be that he just does not have any good ideas, which he could use to rally the other council members to back his vision? To me his neither here or there, and if he does become Mayor of Wasaga Beach would he be able to rally the other members of council to back his ideas?



The 3rd candidate seeking to become Mayor of Wasaga Beach is Brian Smith. Some have said that Smith should first serve his time seeking a position on council before taking a crack at the big chair. I've never understood why people would make such a comment like that. It could be that they support another candidate?, maybe they are scared that an outsider could bring about real change? or maybe they just don't understand how our political system works. All I know about Smith is that he's a very successful business person, and a great family man. Some voters seem to think that being successful in business is not the same as being Mayor. I disagree with that statement, as a mayor of any town or city is considered the "Chairman of the Board" and for a town or city to be successful it needs to be run like a business. Does Wasaga Beach not have a budget they need to follow? Yes they do, just like a business. I find Smith's plan for Wasaga Beach to be a very sensible plan, and one that could work to bring Wasaga Beach back to where it once was before.

In closing voters this time around have 3 very different choices on who they want as their next Mayor. the key is to make sure that everyone who can vote, does vote.

Until next time!

Mayor Patterson Must Go.

Maybe his health is getting in the way of his effectiveness in being Mayor?. Maybe he lacks the leadership skills to bring about change?. Maybe he's brought and sold by the developers in Wasaga Beach?. Whatever the reason might be, Mayor Cal Patterson must be defeated this fall.

This past term with Patterson leading the town has been one screw-up after another. A couple of years ago he was on 97.7 the beach when he announced on live radio that local resident and business owner, Donna Mullen had passed away. The history between the two of them has never been one of friendship, but for the Mayor to go on live radio and make this announcement without checking the facts is a complete lack of judgement. Not only is Donna still alive, the Mayors announcement was quite upsetting to the friends, family and business associates of Donna's.

Another screw-up was when then candidate, Dr. Kellie Leitch was seeking to unset, MP Helena Guergis. Cal Patterson as both Mayor of Wasaga Beach, and Warden of Simcoe County wrote an endorsement letter on County letterhead supporting Leitch. When Patterson was confronted with the letter, and using his position as Warden to endorse Leitch, he in typical Patterson fashion denied that he wrote the letter, and signed it. Patterson claimed that the signature was a stamped signature that he keeps in his office, and it was his staff who signed the letter and sent it out.

Everyone knows that Patterson is a strong Conservative supporter, and during his terms as Mayor of Wasaga Beach, he's had to deal with a Liberal government at Queens Park. As a person who knows first hand that Patterson is not liked at the Provincial level, he's not been able to deliver to Wasaga Beach things like a high school, and more funding for various projects that the town needs. One of the first lessons they teach you in politics 101 is to not be partisan when it comes to dealing with the other levels of government. Party politics should be kept out of municipal politics, but in true Patterson style he felt that the PC party would win the 2007, 2011, and 2014 elections. This is just another example of poor judgement on the part of Patterson.

While there's been a ton of talk about Patterson's connections to the Levy brothers, all I will say is that Patterson yet again put his faith and the reputation of the town in the hands of these extremely poor businessman, and look where we are today. We have a Beach Front which Patterson promised in his 2010 election platform would be developed by the end of his term in office. This is yet another example of poor judgement, and the lack of vision from the Mayor.

One just has to take a look at the committee's that the town has, and who sits on these committee's. The Mayor is the one person who decides who sits on what committee. If you take a good look at the committee members, and even the board members on Wasaga hydro, they are connected in one way or another to the Mayor. Most recently the son-in-law to Patterson was hired by the town, and I'm sure the order to hire him came directly from the Mayor himself.

Now I can go on and on about Mayor Patterson, but I think most of you get the picture. This election is most likely one of the most important elections in the history of Wasaga Beach. With the closings of the 3 major bars along the beach this long weekend, and the continued lack of vision and leadership by not only Mayor Patterson, but the rest of council, voters need to wake up, and vote into power the candidates who can bring about change. Ask the hard questions to each of the candidates, and if they won't return your call, or respond to your emails, then they are not worth your vote.

Until Next Time!!

Candidate Contact Information.

As we are coming towards the end of July, the 2014 Municipal Election seems to be heating up, at least in the world of social media. Here's a complete list of the candidates who've already registered.

Mayor

Cal Patterson
1819 River Road West
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2X5
705-429-4247
cal@calpatterson.com

 David Foster

420 Golf Course Rd
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1S5
705-441-2211 (bus)
705-429-6263 (home)
wasagadave@rogers.com
 

Brian Smith
230 Kirby Lane PO Box 580
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5
705-422-0963 (business)
brian@briansmithformayor.com

---

Deputy Mayor 

Nina Bifolchi
263 Deerbrook Drive
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2N1
705-352-6571
ninabifolchi@gmail.com

Gary Cerantola

143 Silver Birch Avenue
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1P7
705-888-7652

contact@wasagabeachelection.com

---

Councillor

George Watson 
599 Mosely Street
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2J2
705-309-7653
 george10902@sympatico.ca

 Morley Bercovitch

P.O. Box 523 Stn. Main
Wasaga Beach, L9Z 1A5
705-429-5866

 mjberc@sympatico.ca

 

Richard White
71 Arnill Crescent
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2A6
705-446-7939
RichardWhiteforWasaga@outlook.com

 

Barry Adams 

70 Meadowlark Blvd
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 3B3
705-241-7529
barryadams4wasagacouncil@rogers.com 

 

Brian Schryver

123 58th Street South
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2Z1
705-352-0158
schryver@live.ca
Ron Ego
778 Eastdale Dr
Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2R2
705-518-8888
ronego@rogers.com
Bonnie Smith
47 Indiana Ave
Wasaga Beach L9Z 3A8
705-220-9147
bonniewasaga@gmail.com
electbonniesmith@gmail.com
Matthew Taylor
41 Glen Eton Rd
Wasaga Beach L9Z 1E7
705-220-8207
matt@pitapalace.ca

Where do all of the candidates stand on the major issues? What are their platforms? Do they have a website where voters can see where they stand? These are the questions that all voters need to ask each and every candidate. So as the summer months come to an end, pick up the phone, or send an email to the candidates and see where they stand on the issues.

Be informed, ask the questions, and most of all vote for who you feel is the best candidate for the position. Now go back and enjoy the rest of the summer, and I'm sure things will heat up in early September.

Truth in Politics

An article appeared in the Wasaga Sun concerning Matthew Taylor who's running for council. Here's the link to the article:

http://simcoe.com/news-story/4643112-wasaga-beach-council-candidate-on-probation-for-drug-charge/



Here is what Mr. Taylor wrote on the Wasaga Beach Facebook Election Page back on July 15th concerning the rumors surrounding his charges:

This is where my story starts and I would like to clarify what has happened. In 2009, I got involved with student housing renting each room to a student. It went well for years no problems but then trouble came. On a day when I arrived to pick up rent that was due as I arrived I noticed officers out front I then entered the tenants home and about 2 mins after, there was an officer at the residence due to a couple of tenants being charged for marijuana possession. After a long discussion with the arresting officer and because the fact that I was the home owner and arrived at the time of the arrests he had to lay a charge on me. I wanted to acknowledge my past and be honest as I feel that if I am going to represent our community you need to know everything that happened and hear it from me.

Here is what appeared in the Wasaga Sun concerning his drug charges:

WASAGA BEACH – Matthew Taylor, the young businessman who recently filed to run for Wasaga Beach council, is still on probation for a drug related charge.

Taylor received two years’ probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and $150 victim surcharge.Taylor, 26, pled guilty to possession of a substance on June 18, 2013.

A charge of possession of property obtained by crime was withdrawn on the same date.

The charges were laid Jan 16, 2013 when a search warrant was executed at the Glen Eton Road residence that he owns.

Taylor was among 10 Wasaga Beach residents between the ages of 18 and 27 charged during the bust.

Police said they seized about $40,000 worth of drugs, four kilograms of marijuana, 120 Ecstasy pills, a large quantity of cash, a replica handgun and drug paraphernalia.

On Jan. 26, 2010 Taylor pled guilty to the offences of possessing marijuana and doing so in defiance of a probation order.

Taylor is the owner of Pita Palace and Blue Shores Fish and Chips.

Now we have the candidate saying all of this is from 2009, and the paper reporting it was from 2013. As a voter who do you believe? Let's take Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Had Ford come clean when he got caught, gone to rehab, he would win the Toronto election hands down. Ford took the route of  lying to voters, his family, and friends. I'm no fan of the Wasaga Sun as I find their reporting and endorsements during an election cycle to be very biased. But where's there's smoke, there's fire. 

Politics 101 teaches a candidate that you must come clean from the start, and not hide anything from the voters. Mr. Taylor when first asked about the drug charges denied them, and said it was someone else. After more people started to ask questions he came clean as per the above statement taken from Facebook. 

Some voters have said they don't care about his past, while others have said they are very concerned as it goes to one's character. I can tell you that Mr. Taylor will have an uphill battle on his hands, because he was not honest from the start. The other candidates will go after him at the debates, voters will ask him about these charges, and that will be the type of campaign he will be forced to run. The younger voters might not care and think it's kind of cool. The older voters will not like his past, and will not vote for him. That's the way politics works. 

As Mr. Taylor has a criminal record this will must likely prevent him from entering countries like the United States, and some countries in Europe. If you make a decision to seek public office you must understand that the media, and your enemies will go after you.

While I do wish Mr. Taylor luck, he does have an uphill battle, and that my friends is how politics works.

Until next time! 

Just to be very clear!

Some people have been very critical and have resorted to insulting myself, and my views on this election. I just want to be very clear with the hundreds of readers who take the time to read my blog postings. I have no intention of running for public office in this election, I feel I can be more vocal as just a regular voter, instead of being a candidate for public office. Now some will continue to insult me and say that "I lost the election to Patterson", He cleaned my clock", I'm a sore loser", and so on and so on. In 2010 nobody had the guts to run against Patterson. I was asked by several well known citizens to throw my hat in the ring so Patterson would be forced to spend money on his campaign, and also so Patterson would not be acclaimed.

My issues with Mayor Cal Patterson has to do with his politics, and not him as a person. unlike Patterson I never attacked him on a personal level like he did to me in 2010 with the 1 hour radio spot he purchased on 97.7the beach. Patterson lacks the vision to move this town forward, as he's had since 2007 when the fire destroyed beach area 1 to do something and has failed. He first got cozy with the Levy brothers, then backed away when they went bankrupt. He failed as a secure creditor in blocking SF Partners who had close ties with the Levy brothers being appointed as the receiver for the bankrupt properties along beach area 1 and other parts around town. SF Partners also hired Dov Levy to manage the properties on their behalf. Nothing like letting the hen back into the hen house.

Some say why do I just go after Patterson and not anybody else? The answer is quite simple, he's the Mayor, he sets the vision for the town, he's the voice and face of the town, and he's the one who has to be held accountable for his actions, and that of the town staff. yes there are other members on council who have questionable connections with developers, but they are not the Mayor.

Some have said because of my public opinions towards Patterson they intend to vote for him because of me. Well we live in a democratic society, and every voter has the freedom to vote for whoever they like, as long as they vote. On the topic of voting, in the last election we had a 27% voter turnout which was the lowest in all of Simcoe County. Now with internet, and telephone voting being added in 2014 and the chance of part-time residents being able to vote, predictions have the voting turnout as high as 65% which would be amazing if it really does happen.

In a 3 way race for Mayor past voting patterns have shown that the Mayor would lose the election by 300-400 votes. This is a result of vote splitting, and the fact that both Foster and Patterson got the same amount of votes in 2010. When you add Brian Smith into the mix, Patterson will lose the election.

So I will again say to those who don't like my blog, and don't like my posts on the Wasaga Beach Election page. Don't read it, and if it really bugs you, block me so you won't have to read what I write. Resorting to insults and name calling just shows how shallow you are not me.