Tweet about Mattamy

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As some of you already know, I have expanded this blog to a Twitter account – @MattamyWatch.  In terms of accessing new streams of information, I am finding it invaluable and, allows me to link to those wishing to read this blog.  To those linking, thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

One person contacted me via @MattamyWatch and asked the following: “@MattamyWatch I just sold a mattamy in Milton. Are you implying they are bad?”

Good question.

No, I would be totally false if I said they were bad.  They have produced some fine homes – with some areas having more than their share of problems though.

Lets say they sometimes skirt the law or, make some shortcuts that are not good for the homebuyer. 

Proven facts.

If you care to read my blog, you will see they have been charged – Ottawa for the illegal berm; sold houses in Kanata Fairwinds without permits to build and blew off trusting homebuyers; have had construction delayed due to the fact they dangerously began construction, putting construction workers and neighbours at risk, on land fertilized with human waste (Milton); been responsible for vast environmental damage to wetlands (Cambridge); constructed homes on land susceptible to flooding (Bracebridge); and, guilty of putting children’s lives at risk by doing illegal (code) wiring in Oakville.

Does this make their homes “Bad”? 

 No, but it certainly shows the level of ethics they use in selling and building homes.  As well, kind of forecasts potential problems you might have with a Mattamy home based on past performance – complaints of which seem to outnumber the competition.

 In terms of politics, Peter Gilan the billionaire and Mattamy have donated millions of dollars to very worthwhile causes such as the Oakville Hospital, Wellspring and, the Oakville YMCA.  Seems though, unlike a lot of other donators, he needs his name on the building.  For those that gave more and remained anonymous, we are grateful for your consideration.

Not bad in most books but, at what cost to the homeowner who seeks protection from those very people accepting the donations.  In my case, Peter Gilgan donated money, etc to a Wellspring project, a project supported by then Oakville mayor, Ann Mulvale.  The report on the illegal wiring never saw the light of day, and the matter was deferred to the province, who conveniently stated – they would not force builders to allow homeowners the right to hire a house inspector because it “might cost them (the homeower) money”. 

Duh……. 

It already costs the homeowner money to hire a house inspector anyways but does the province mean the builder might charge more to build the house properly so it will pass an inspection by an “independent” inspector instead of a municipal inspector (some of whom may be accepting gifts).

I assume Mattamy or Peter Gilgan would let me know if I am wrong. 

Just don’t send the bully boys like last time Peter.

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“Mulvale Returns” – A new Mattamy sponsored horror movie?

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Canada Day – I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Canada Day today and, if you’re lucky to have Friday and the weekend off – have a good time and enjoy.

I originally wasn’t going to put out a blog today but two points came up.

One:  June 25th was my 2nd year anniversary with this blog. 

 My 4th wedding anniversary is coming up.  Hope I don’t remember that after the date.  🙂   

I’d just like to thank those who are taking the time to read it and, to thank those who draw my attention to information or send me facts.  All much appreciated.

Second:  I see  “Asphalt Annie” is back in the political fray.  She announced that she was going to run for the Mayor of Oakville in the upcoming election.

“Asphalt Annie”?  To her friends and the developers, she is known as Ann Mulvale, former mayor of Oakville.

In her statement she stated the following:

“What I’m hearing is residents have noticed change.”

Yes, that’s right Ann.  We have seen change and the developers don’t like it.  We now stand up to them and say – pay your own freight if you want to make money here, not the taxpayer.  Most taxpayers, except those reaping in the money from developers, do like the change.  Why not you?

“Mulvale said the community has expressed great concern about Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll, who for two years in a row has received no appointments to committees (other than mandatory appointments like the administrative services committee).” 

 I have no ill feelings against Jeff but maybe he isn’t on some committees for maybe being too close to developers like Mattamy.  Was he not involved in getting Mattamy to do work on a local historical society parking lot, or was that BOT and Mattamy helped with the renovation?  A nice thing to have happen but at what cost.  How will he vote when Mattamy asks for something?

We know how Ann Mulvale voted when we had a complaint against Mattamy.  It’s on public record.  You know the one where they sold me the house with illegal (code) wiring and nothing happened to Mattamy.  A report was done – never seen by me and, nothing became of it.  Maybe Ann was doing her “famous” behind the scenes negotiations.

Yeah, that’s right.  She wrangled some funding for her Wellspring project.  I guess that was more important than dealing with an issue that put children’s lives at risk.

Working behind the scenes?  Read this clip: 

“On the TransCanada power plant issue, Mulvale said she has already been working behind the scenes and making connections with many of the leaders involved.” 

 Meanwhile, the incumbant, Rob Burton, has been very vocal in his opposition.  We know where he stands but Mulvale is working in secret behind everyone’s back.  Just like she did on my complaint.  And you know where that got me?

“Democracy is served by choice; I am privileged to be part of your choice on Oct. 25.”

Yes, Ann, democracy is served by choice and we’ve seen your choices in the past.  I must admit you have aligned yourself with some good causes – good publicity there but you’ve also aligned yourself too close to the developers in the past and allowed them advantages they should never had been given.  I can’t tell you all about Mattamy due to the gag order but when you consider you let it go by and did nothing about the illegal electrical problem, it showed you felt that Mattamy’s goals were more important than the safety of my children. 

You’ve helped me make my choice for October 25th and it doesn’t include “Asphalt Annie” and her developer cohorts. 

Oh, and by the way.  You can expect me handing out information brochures as part of my right to protest at the various political forums I am sure you will attend.  I think the public deserves to know the Mattamy story and your involvement – another right of Democracy.  But, don’t worry.  Unlike the Black Bloc of the G20, I don’t intend to break windows or cause any problems.  Just do a peaceful protest under my democratic right to do so.  See you there.

Regarding the media report on your announcement.  Here are some comments by those who read the story.  Verrrrrry interestink.

I want Burton

I guess you dont follow politics that closely – the rally at Queens Park was sponsored by C4CA – not Burton. Burton does feel that the power plant should be stopped. Following politics you should know of the action plan for the Oakville Clarkson airshed that was just released (commissioned by the Liberal government) that states that the air in this area is extremly polluted and heavily stressed – its recommnedations include – no new emmissions in the area and no power plant. Asphalt Annie as she was known because of her tendancy to sell out the Town to developers would like to sell out the town to transcanada – she is about money money and money – not about the towns people – never has been – never will – thats why she has not actual taken a stance on the power plant other then saying she si working behind the scene. Burton has not alienated Ford – Ford – the corporation – has alienated the Town by selling their lands to a massive polluter an unsafe location for a massive power plant – Are we as towns pe

Welcoem back Anne

As a follower of poltical goings ons here in Oakville and across the GTA I am glad Mulvale is back. lets examine the Burton record. His cronies were secretly appointed to well paying hydro board jobs. I saw where Burton beat up on the developers, shut out a Councillor by not appointing him to committees, ran down the farming community and beat them up publicly. Then he takes school kids to Queens Park where he gets them to chant “TCE sucks”. He has alienated the workers at Ford by getitng rid of his Oakville built car. That is the type of leader you want? Mr Burton, I say don’t let the door hit your egotistical ass on the way out the door

Burton still has my vote.

Burton still has my vote.

Mulvale is a danger

She sold this Town out to developers when she was in office. She has already written letters to the Editor pointing out that we shouldnt be down on Ford for them selling their land to TransCanada. She says she is working behind the scenes on the TransCanada issue but doesnt come out and say she is against it….my guess is she is for it because she is all about selling out. I would vote for an carbon rod before I voted for her to come back into power –

 

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Booze,Broads,Politicians and Mattamy

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Booze and Broads – two things that always get cops into trouble.  Politicians?  You can add real estate and development to that list.  In the September 24th edition of the Toronto Star – Greater Toronto section, GT1, the title read: “Video contradicts McCalliion”.  Seems that the Grand Dame of Mississauga has been a little remiss in not verbally declaring a conflict of interest during private meetings concerning “a development deal her son was pushing while the matter was under council scrutiny“.

Shades of the past.  Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is considered a mentor of former Mayor of Oakville, Ann Mulvale.  And I remember Ann (known as Asphalt Annie “on the street”) being involved in my matter of the illegal (code) wiring that Mattamy performed on my house.  So much so that she attended committee meetings on the matter.  At no time did she reveal that she was actively engaged in securing donations from Mattamy Homes for a very worthwhile project.  And although I think the project very worthwhile, putting my children at risk begs the question – Does the end justify the means???

I always wonder how many local politicians get funding from local developers and then don’t declare a conflict of interest when development matters come forward to council.  Are they afraid they won’t have a quorum due to the number receiving these small donations to their political futures?

Appears in McCallion’s case, the 14.4 million dollar land deal, “engineered by her son”, fell apart when someone close to my heart, OMERS, backed out. 

Thank god someone had some integrity.  Hate to think of all that pension money tied up in some legal battle which could erupt due to improper shenanigans at city council. 

When the vote happens at Halton Council on September 30th – will there be anyone declaring a conflict of interest?  Lets hope so……..

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Developers and donations

It all comes down to “appearance” and potential “conflict of interest” when it comes to political donations.  We have all read about political scandals when various labour/company/whatever bosses donate to the political machine.  Look at what is happening in Illinois where the governor wants to sell Obama’s former senate seat.  Here, in Ontario, we also face similar conflicts.

 

In today’s Toronto Star on page A6 is an article titled: “City ponders banning donations from unions, companies”.   by Vanessa Lu.  One interesting comment is made by a Robert MacDermid, a York University political science professor.  According to MacDermid, “corporate donations represent a much larger proportion of contributions to candidates in surrounding regions” (than Toronto).  Further, “in some places, candidates take as much as 80 or 90 percent of their money from developers”.  Well, that would be expected considering all the land development taking place outside Toronto.  He noted that, “the entire council will have over 50 per cent of their money from developers.”

 

No wonder someone like myself would have no chance of bringing a complaint forward to the Town of Oakville if these statistics represent the Oakville council.  I am not sure just how much money each councilllor, or the mayor, takes in donations from developers but they were certainly silent and non-helpful while the mayor of Oakville pushed my complaint into bureaucratic oblivion.  Sorry, did I forget to mention that Ann Mulvale was actively pursuing Mattamy Homes for a donation towards a very worthwhile project.  And this was never mentioned during the discussions at council.

 

So, don’t expect your local political machine to look after your interests.  Your tax dollars don’t go into the private political machine of those making decisions that will affect your life. 

 

Your only recourse is to hire a house inspector who can give a legal and professional viewpoint to your lawyer so that you can protect your investment.  The statistics speak for themselves.

Mattamy Homes – taking heat in Ottawa for past sins

Over at the “Mattamy Fairwinds Kanata Phase 5 Delay” blog (http://mattamyfairwindsphase5.wordpress.com/) I notice that they have been asked to delay a public meeting in favour of a more focused and private meeting with the principles invited.  The reasoning is that that Mattamy and city officials may not attend the public meeting.

 

I found as I tried to get my case before the public officials that Mattamy Homes never, to my knowledge, attended any of the meetings I had with city officials and the only resistance I had in pushing the idea that house inspectors should be allowed came from then Mayor Ann Mulvale, who had actively pursued Mattamy Homes for donations to some worthwhile causes.  Although some councilors were amazed that Mattamy Homes could sell a house under these conditions, none were amazed enough to ask that changes be made to the inspection process, give an apology for what happened, or asked that legislation be brought forward to prevent other citizens being victimized by this process – a process which seems to still exist.

 

The meetings before council members, although not private, were not attended by large public groups but, those in attendance did voice some surprise to me that the Town of Oakville had let Mattamy Homes do this unethical sale.

 

It was recommended by town council that I attend various meetings to voice my concern and, at one, there was a Mattamy Homes employee who stayed silent during the entire discussion.  Although the various members discussed further action, none was ever taken by these groups.  Although I persisted to having this brought before council, it was passed off to the province and delayed permanently.

 

Although I must admit that the Fairwinds Kanata group is pursuing this in a positive way and, by accepting the private meeting, they should be careful this is not the first step to bury the item.  If there is any decision, make sure there is someone taking minutes (both officially and privately) so that you have something to fall back on when nothing is accomplished.  And, make sure that your public meeting is held to ensure the matter is kept before the public eye.

 

And remember, no matter what they say, you as a citizen have every right to bring this before council.  Yes, as did Oakville, the local council may delay this matter by forcing it to go through various committees but, if you persevere, you can get it into the public forum of a council meeting.  And don’t let them pass it onto the province as it will die a long and not nice death on the vine.

 

You certainly have an uphill battle and Mattamy Homes has the winning cards in the fact that large donations to various organizations have been made in your area.  The fact that Mattamy Homes is trying to get a pre-dated permit for illegal dumping only shows the mindset of that organization.  If your local authorities do grant this permit, only shows that your complaints will fall on deaf ears.

 

Good luck…….