imagine if we were not there! Guys we can really make a difference!
This guy sums it up almost perfectly!!
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Newfie :
Let them build whatever they want!! We need new life here and that is one way!!! All this heritage stuff is only holding the city back. Buildings like this can bring so many people when they have a name like Hilton associated with it.
And another one:
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I'm sick of the downtown artsy fartsy crowd who complain about every new development. BUILD THE HOTEL! And pick the one on the left. The rectangular one is too boring. If the city wants the new convention centre to be a success they need more modern downtown hotels.
"Stiff opposition to a proposed highrise in the city's Downtown. Residents raise concerns over shadows and the beep beep beep of snow plows to clear the parking lot of the proposed hotel"
Again, great job guys! Your presence definitely made a difference last night. From what I read it seemed like Ron Fougere went to the meeting with the assumption that it wasn't going to go well but ended up being pleasantly surprised by your support.......
Headline says lukewarm. Oh CBC are you making up the news again? You report on one quote from a resident and it's positive yet the headline makes this into a story that doesn't really exist. Get someone to write these for you if the task seems so daunting for those presently on staff. In fact I would have reported that proposed hotel in downtown gets most positive reviews of any built in the past twenty years.
The Telegram failed. Only a small blurb on the bottom of A7, with no reference to anything except the guy who said he still didn't like it because it was still on his doorstep, and he would prefer a park.
The Telegram failed. Only a small blurb on the bottom of A7, with no reference to anything except the guy who said he still didn't like it because it was still on his doorstep, and he would prefer a park.
Boo Telegram. Not even worth scanning.
Wow, that's too bad. Not just the length (I can understand them having different priorities about what constitutes news - just because we care doesn't mean it really is news) - but the tone? Not good.
__________________ Note to self: "The plural of anecdote is not evidence."
Here is the email I just fired off to each of the councilors concerning the Hilton Proposal:
Quote:
Good Day Councillors,
First let me start off and sincerely wish those on council who are not seeking re-election this year all the best for their future plans. For those seeking re-election I will each one of you all the best and look forward to reading each of your platforms in the coming months.
Councils under the leadership of John Murphy, Dorothy Wyatt, Shannie Duff and Andy Wells, were not faced with the daunting decisions and tasks that you are faced with due to the fact that never before in our city's history has the been so much interest in our great city.
Which brings me to the reason for this email last nights Public Meeting for the Hilton Garden Inn:
I fully support this development as I feel it will begin the renewal of the West End of Downtown. St. John's is a growing city there is no doubt about, and with such growth comes the need for modern infrastructure and services. The residents of St. John's must realize that we can not stay stale and dormant in today's global economy.
Do not get me wrong where we came from is just as important as where we are going, BUT OUR FUTURE MUST NOT BE HINDERED BECAUSE OF OUR HERITAGE.
I can only imagine the sheer horror and shock of the downtown residents when in 1972 Council under the leadership of Mayor Adams approved a 20 storey and hotel complex which later became known as Atlantic Place. Then just 2 short years later in 1974 Council approved a massive $75,000,000 office-hotel-shopping complex which was supposed to be built to the west of City Hall.
Back to the current day proposal
Due to the attitude of less than 10% of the entire population of our city, we have gone from a moderately decent proposal to one that looks like an over sized Tim Horton's franchise. This design is something that one would see next to an airport in Mississauga or in Leduc.
As I stated before I fully support this development we need to modernize and improve our downtown and we should be welcoming with open arms ANY COMPANY that wants to do business with us, NO MATTER HOW TALL/MODERN THE PROPOSAL WILL BE, we should not be making developers bastardized what could be iconic and eye opening developments, due to the whims of a few.
When it comes to those residents who reside downtown, THEY MUST REALIZE that when you live downtown in a Capital City, there are costs associated with that decision. As with any downtown in ANY CITY, Privacy, view and quietness are not always possible when you live on the cusp of a Business District.
In closing I hope you will do the right thing and allowing this application for re-zoning to be passed.
BAHAHAHAHA still laughing over an email reply I got back from a Councillor:
Quote:
Chris your making some really good points...the argument on height has some practical flaws. In its rawest form If the developer thought the market would want low rise buildings and such he would build them. Your right...people still have not arrived at the mindset that we are a changing city and this is only the start of it. You have some great ideas and your articulate...ever consider municipal politics?
An idea: Maybe we should form a small group to get some of the forum members elected to council. A Campaign committee or something with an emphasis on social media to keep costs to a minimum would be ideal.
Getting a voice in a position of influence being the goal.
And I love the idea of coordinating efforts at these sorts of public development meetings, we could have a real impact.
^^^^ Well put, Chris. It only goes to show that even a small voice of those in support of progressive growth and development in this city can go a long way -Kudos! I'm a firm believer that the comments and discussions produced on this thread fall on the ears of council one way or another. As this community grows I think we will continue to contribute positively to the development of our great city!
Last edited by statbass; Feb 13, 2013 at 4:33 PM.
Reason: grammar mistake
An idea: Maybe we should form a small group to get some of the forum members elected to council. A Campaign committee or something with an emphasis on social media to keep costs to a minimum would be ideal.
A couple of the Halifax forumers ran for council in the HRM election and one (Waye Mason) was elected. The other (spaustin) placed second in his district.
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Gawd, that picture... I think I've finally had enough take-out. 
I hope he caught me mid-swallow or something and that's not what I actually look like 
Not just the length (I can understand them having different priorities about what constitutes news - just because we care doesn't mean it really is news) - but the tone? Not good.
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