Oakville Homes goes Twitter

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In order to ensure you get the widest possible exposure in today’s world you either have to stand naked in front of whomever you want to draw attention from or, join the electronic world that is allowing any and all to inform the world about issues.  I don’t hate Mattamy that much so I will forego the “Naked Protest“. 

I’ve had this blog now for more than 2 years – I expect a cake from Mattamy on my third anniversary  – just don’t have the bulley boys bring it, and have decided to utilize Twitter to announce each blog issue.  For those using RSS, thank you and I hope that others will get some use out of Twitter.

It is called “MattamyWatch” and you can get it by tuning in at: http://twitter.com/MattamyWatch

I’m hoping Peter Gilgan will have a twitter account and we can be “friends”.  😉

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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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Mattamy quality supervision salaries low – and it shows.

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In my June 4th blog I discussed ENTITLEMENT and used as an example ex-Hydro CEO, Eleanor Clitheroe and her demands for an $8.000 increase in her monthly pension.  Seems like I’m not the only one upset and, view her demands as greed, to say the least.  In the Toronto Star’s Sunday Letters to the Editor, she gets 3 letters – all negative about her less than charitable qualities (reprinted below).  

And small wonder.  People are becoming very tired of the arrogance shown by those in the upper strata who feel a royal sense of entitlement.  And, I showed how Mattamy seems to fit well within this lifestyle.  Mattamy may want to take heed of this and maybe change their ways.  One reason some buy Mattamy homes is the perceived built-quality based on a historical pattern probably established in the 70’s & 80’s but failing to stand the test of time.  Recent awards have been missing and the complaint trough is filling.  I say filling as it seems they don’t necessarily go the mile in dealing with the complaints. Only ones that are happy are the short-term speculators who aren’t in a place long enough to really suffer the quality issues and if there are any, a quick coat of paint does the trick – momentarily.  But then again, they aren’t buying it for a home. 

I only wish I could tell you how all mine were dealt with but there is a gag order.  If Mattamy would release me from this, I’d be very happy to discuss it but I guess truth isn’t allowed in Mattamy land – just inspired advertising about alleged quality.  Sorry, forgot – they don’t mention quality in the ads – just homeowner lifestyle.  And, we all know, in terms of lifestyle, it is the homeowner that makes the quality. 

Anyways, I’ve also found the salary charts for different Mattamy jobs.  You will see that construction supervisors and quality managers aren’t near the top.  Just land acquisition and accounting jobs.  I won’t mention the executive jobs as that goes without saying – and rightfully so for those at the top.  But since they aren’t really doing well in quality (Bracebridge, Ottawa, Oakville, etc) are the executives really earning their salary or do they just feel entitled?  Maybe there is no PASSION in their blood to look at the future and see that Mattamy Homeowners get what they paid for – not leaky basements in Milton.  

click to enlarge charts 

  

 

From the Toronto Star, Sunday, June 6/2010 

Re: $300,000 pension not enough, June 4   

For the disgraced Eleanor Clitheroe, who was unceremoniously dumped from her plum position at Hydro One Inc. for gross overspending, to now want in excess of her current pension of $25,000 a month is simply mind-boggling. What kind of mindset prompts these executives who are let go for incompetence to expect such absurd pensions? As a minister of the cloth she has much to learn about humility, decency and greed. Her congregation would do well to strongly condemn this action.  

H.K. Hocquard

 Kettleby,

  

I worked for Ontario Hydro in a middle management position for three times as long as Eleanor Clitheroe. My annual pension is about equal to her monthly one.  

 

 

 

John Cooper, Oshawa 

  

 I would like to ask the Star to refrain from printing stories about the monetary demands of Eleanor Clitheroe, Brian Mulroney and anyone else whose salaries, pensions and bonuses come from the public purse. I can’t take it anymore. I would just as soon have my head in the sand.  

If you do feel you are duty bound to bring these tales of greed and entitlement to our attention, please include information about where we can sign up to storm the Bastille. I’ll bring the cake.  

Sid Potma, Toronto  

 

65^th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy (Link) 

 

 

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Mattamy Homes – will you wish me a happy anniversary?

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Today is a very special day. It is the first anniversary of this blog, which started June 25th, 2008. I want to thank those of you who have taken the time to read the submissions and, especially those who have either commented or sent me private messages.

Some have wondered if I am anti-development or anti-Mattamy. No, but I do feel there must be accountability. And that is something I feel is lacking in today’s world of urban development. Just the mere fact that our provincial government won’t put into legislation your right to have a house inspector monitor the construction of your new house. The reason why? – it would cost the homeowner money. Yes, the same government that wanted to force you to have an energy audit prior to sale.

I feel that our politicians are too close to the developers, especially financially. You have seen in my case where Mattamy illegally (code) wired my house and the Mayor of Oakville did nothing, while she actively pursued Mattamy Homes for a donation for one of her projects. Read other blogs here and elsewhere and you’ll see a pattern.

And Mattamy, being a major advertiser, seems to get preferential treatment in reporting. You saw here first about them pleading guilty on environmental charges while the press (not main press) reported this a month later. As well, only local press has reported on the Bracebridge flooding. Now, CBC did report on the Ottawa fiasco, but they don’t take Mattamy advertising.

Yesterday’s blog noted that Mattamy wanted people to send protesting emails to Halton Council regarding development charges. It will be interesting to see what happens at the vote on July 15th.  Here we have a vote on development charges and the main protester is Mattamy Homes. 

Just who benefits with lower development charges?  The builder, developer, new homeowner (?) and speculators.  Yes, speculators, some of whom are the very people selling you the homes you are buying and their speculation is driving up the costs.  I don’t see Mattamy stopping that practice. 

Now who benefits from fair development costs?  Those of us who have already paid our share in development costs, retired people on fixed incomes, new homeowners buying re-sales, the recently unemployed with homes.  Yes, the greater number of people in the region will benefit from fair development charges.  We either vote for billionaire welfare or our own welfare.  It’s your choice.  And who doesn’t lose either way.  The companies building the infrastructure.  They get paid whether the taxpayer pays it or the development charges pays for it.  Win – win for them.

And how will this vote end up?  Here’s some factors that might influence the vote.  I’m just showing the facts ma’am.  You make the decision.

Mattamy Homes has been donating free bus rides in Milton (how will they vote?), donating to the Trafalgar Township Historical Society (with connections to a councillor), sponsoring the Mayor’s Invitational Golf Tournament in Oakville and a past record of multiple donations to councillors, projects, et al in Halton.  With all these donations, it will be hard to vote against Mattamy Homes.  I should add that these are all legal donations but hard to see arms length when the vote comes in.  For those that cave in and vote against the development charges, it will be interesting to see if there are any connections or conflicts of interest.  But then, based on what happened to me, it is not preceived as a conflict of interest but just oridinary business practices. 

Well, thank you again for taking the time to visit my blog and, in the end, hopefully we will win the right for YOU, the potential homeowner, to hire a house inspector to protect YOUR investment.

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