More on the Granny Suite by-law.. Caledonia Wake up Call…City of Cambridge’s Attack upon Seniors
Dec 27th, 2009 | By Debbie Vitez | Section: City Issues, Community, PoliticsPlease click on the following link for updates on Granny Suite by-law in Cambridge
Mr and Mrs John Newton of Cambridge ON
Have your say! Submit your story!
I have just read the events concerning the senior Newton couple and their in-law suite. There will be much outrage towards the Mayor and Council, I think, as news of this is becoming widespread. Many families are helping each other in these economic times the way the Newton’s are. Although living an hour away from Cambridge, this has disturbed me enough that I have written to the Mayor about the injustice of trying to collect money from this couple or evicting them; it is hoped that the Cambridge Council will change their policy soon - an election is coming in 2010!
The following is now running on the “Fighting for Taxpayers Blog ”
Tax discrimination against seniors of Cambridge, ON
http://www.taxpayer.com/blog/28-12-2009/tax-discrimination-against-seniors-cambridge
I would like to ask John Newton what he is doing once he beats this ridiculous $3,000.00 non refundable Fee to build a granny suite in your home..
We need clean water in Cambridge and they have put the installation of a Purification System on hold..
I want you on my team when I start again in the new year..
I have met so many people over Christmas with a Cancer and it’s really pissing me off..
I am not saying it’s all from dirty drinking water or the air in some homes..
But I know this chemical is a huge factor in this town..
and it’s time to get to work, demand this council step off their high horses and start making an effort to clean up our city
Start by NOT BUILDING A THEATRE… and using the money you received for the Health of the people in this city..
The city is no longer demanding $3,000 from me. Instead, they had me pay $185. to put a hole in the wall.
Unfortunately… in retaliation for causing such an uproar over paying the extortion payment, the city is now harassing our family, and even demanding that we demolish a large section of our house. I was warned by a councillor that if I didn’t pay the $3,000 that they’d get even with me. It was a friendly warning, and she was right. Today I fight for “all seniors”, not myself. The scam has to stop, and the harassment towards my family better also come to an end, or I’ll be exposing the corruption in this city as long as I live, even if our family has to protest in front of city hall. Everyone must stand together on this issue, it is elder abuse.
WHAT GIVES THEM THE RIGHT TO HARASS YOU THIS WAY ?? ( because they can is the answer)
For too long this city has been run without Our best interest at heart.
Good for you John Newton
You keep up your fight, and I will keep posting what goes on..
And maybe, just maybe… we will change how they do business in this City..
I unfortunately know what you were told about getting even is a probablity. My Municipality has been doing it for 3 years and this year for christmas they have threatened to take my home for $1000.00 in back taxes owing. They seem to be able to get away with doing what they want and there is no one to make them accountable. Continue with your great work it helps all of us and we support you.
Hello Sherrie McTaggart, and every other senior who has fallen victim to municipal corruuption.
I can assure you that the elder abuse situation in Cambridge is being printed in newspapers in magazines around the world. If the mayor and his councilors think nobody is listening to us bunch of old farts, they are dead wrong. Canada’s human rights reputation is going down the tubes, all because of the corruption here.
Be sure to see Gary McHales site http://www.caledoniawakeupcall.com/cambridge/Cambridge.html
Ontario’s most famous Human Rights Activist is supporting our cause. Who said there isn’t a god?
This offers a Canadian window into the state’s overwrought preoccupation with making money at all costs, disregarding the citizens concerns too. Sadly Like too many political parties it seems the citizens mainly do not count, their views or needs, desires. they only count on election days. I was once talking to deputy Minister Ken Kowalski of Alberta about this as to why, and he replied because in Alberta they do not pay the taxes. But rather the real reason is the too often lack of respect for the all of citizens still by our leaders, civil and public servants most political parties Canada wide..Police, RCMP’s unacceptable, poor attitudes towards most of the citizens now as well
I have a question,
Perhaps i’ve been mislead by the local newspaper which is usually the case here in Kitchener. If your fight sir, is to prevent “seniors” from paying a fee that everyone else is expected to pay I hope you lose.
I for one, don’t feel as though I should be expected to pay a fee because I’m not a “senior”
If your intention is that no one should have to pay this fee then by all means I support your cause. The KW Record however makes it seem as though you’re fighting the good fight for seniors only.
If that happens to be your goal I assure you beyond no reasonable doubt you’ll meet tremendous opposition from the general public as well as city council.
Please clarify as the paper obviously isn’t willing to do so on your behalf.
Thank you
Mark
Hello Mark,
Nobody should pay extortion fees for providing accomodation for blood relatives, no matter how old they are, it’s just that seniors are suffering more from this scam than other catagories of people, as many of them do not have the income to secure affordable accomodation. The mayor and his councilors here in Canada do not want any types of secondary housing, as they feel it attracts low-life people that do not contribute financially to the betterment of their “financially broke city”. They do not want low-income earners in this city, and they are doing whatever they can to discourage that from happening. Make note that both Kitchener and Guelph do not operate the $3,000 scam, and they are confused why Cambridge does. Many home owners would like to keep their university student children in their homes, and provide them with a private basement apartment type of accomodation, but the city of Cambridge won’t allow them to do that. They want the $3,000 plus, and they want to raise the property taxes for the privilage of housing relatives. It’s a scam, it’s extortion, and the elected officials behind this corruuption should not be re-elected. Toronto has a booklet which indicates the step by step procedure for creating basement apartmens or granny suites.
In eastern Canada politicians are presently attempting to create grants for home owners, to construct secondary accomodation. Most people in Cambridge think they own their homes, but that is far from the truth. The mayor and councillors here have by-lays in place that give them total control over how families live within the confines of their own homes. I have a letter from the city which demands the $3,000 extortion fee. Anyone wanting a copy of that letter may contact me at havanabanana48@sympatico.ca