Questions Asked & Questions Answered at Ratepayers Meeting

Late June, Wasaga Beach CAO Andrew McNeill spoke to the Wasaga Beach Ratepayers Association. The purpose of the meeting was to allow the members of the organization to hear directly from the CAO on the future local issues in the Town of Wasaga Beach and ask questions. The Council Administration brought the born and raised in Wasaga Beach experienced builder of communities in Brampton and Mississauga to oversee the sustainable development in our fast-growing Town of Wasaga Beach.

The CAO's 25 years experience in creating public and private sector by his own definition will be an extreme challenge due to the decisions and the locations of the casino and arena/library. Simply put the HUB that was the 2014 administration's plan, was abandoned by the 2018 administration and has created the challenge of creating a new plan for the waterfront and Main Street by the present 2022 administration.

The privatization plan run by the Bifolchi administration was an attempt to abandon the town being a landlord as per the previous mayor. The demolition of the splash pad and buildings was another step away from leasing properties.

One ratepayer asked a poignant and imperative question. (paraphrasing) Long term plans are great but what can we do now “before I die (tongue in cheek)”. What changes can we see to make living in Wasaga the fun place being talked about in the future. The answer was on full display. Under Mayor Smith and council, the plan has changed to bringing fun, entertainment and crowds at the centre of the longest freshwater beach in the world. The July Canada Day weekend and events since, was proof there is a place for tourism in Wasaga Beach. Beach Drive was full of vehicles and people along the beach from Collingwood to Tiny, and as far as the eye could see. Between the reinvented Beach 1 Bar and the new stage of the new Beach 1 Entertainment Zone, the beach was bustling and a great start to the tourist trap this council is going for. This writer hopes that the changes will lead to a higher percentage of money staying in Wasaga Beach.

Of immediate concern and on the aggressive Key Council Priority Strategic Action for future reference, is the longstanding need for a high school In Wasaga, 800 bussed students demand. Walk-in Clinic. Affordable housing. Twin-pad / library economic opportunities that require accommodations. Open commercial development including at the beachfront. Word on the status of the beachfront development. Rental pools that open this town to tourism and longer stays for visitors.

Some concerns on the horizon for this Council and CAO are, in no particular order, affordable housing, neighbourhood standards, organized panhandlers, Air B&Bs advantage over local workers rental options, the Dardenella's return to structural stability and popularity, returning Nancy Island to prominence.

The previous Council and this Council are diametrically opposed which means the continuity of long-term goals are threatened with each change in leadership. As a voter, the big lesson here is asking candidates how they will build on the previous plans, not tear them down and start over.

The top priority for council through the CAO, is that changes will not put residents second to visitors.

Beach Drive is open, Beach 1 is rockin'! Enjoy the walks, music, and sunsets as summer's here.

Have Fun!

See the direct link to video of the meeting from our Digital Issue at www.beachbooster.com/publications or find Candid Frank Live on YouTube.

Beach BOOSTER is pleased to welcome Frank Stanisci, aka Candid Frank, to our local publication. Frank is a well known personality with many online broadcasts including Candid Frank Live, CFL Talk, NLL Lacrosse Talk, Leaf Talk and the new Wasaga Wasaga – Candid Frank at The Beach. Frank now calls Wasaga Beach home and has enjoyed being a part of many community events, highlighting the personalities, events, initiatives and places that make Wasaga Beach unique. In addition to Frank's creative video & audio projects from all over town, you can now follow Candid Frank here in print, in your local beach BOOSTER publication (print & digital). Check out Candid Frank on YouTube: @candidfrantkstanisci1030

Editor's Note: The following is a paid submission from a local business that has been the topic of many social media posts. Many of these posts have been damaging to the reputation of the local business & the owners personally. This is a reminder of the damage that can be caused by posts on social media, perhaps maliciously, and those who see them, believing what they read. The opinions & comments stated below are not necessarily shared by Beach BOOSTER Media or staff.

Our Story, the truth behind the scenes.

As owners of Shaka Wasaga Boat Cruise, we wanted to tell the truth of what happened. You may have read some online accusations stating we had stolen boats and are operating illegally. This is untrue. We have spent the last 1 1/2 years trying to resolve the dispute through the justice system.

Here's our story. In March of 2021, we saw a business opportunity. We agreed with Mike Karpishka and Gaby Saucedo, the owners of Tiki Tours International (TTI), since re-branded into Palapa Tours, to purchase 2 fully constructed boats. We asked for a completed contract/operating agreement to work with them and their brand. It was never provided. Throughout the summer the relationship between us became strained as they blindsided us with unilateral changes to what the terms of agreement would be. The boats were delivered as pontoon pieces which we had to construct ourselves and paying double for supplies as we had paid full price for completed boats, but now had to purchase lumber and supplies to finish the boats. We asked countless times for an accounting audit after the full payment of the boats and still in March 2022, after 10 months of excuses and delay and the season just around the corner, still no contract or financial audit.

We decided to dissolve the relationship. Our lawyer informed them so. th Instead of responding via legal channels, on May 19 22, Mike and Gaby along with one resident of Wasaga Beach, created a defamation campaign stating: - we stole the boats - operating illegally - would be arrested. They also posted our home address, where anyone could physically find us. They contacted our insurance provider, our bank, the town and our landlord, demanding to have our paperwork revoked. Alcohol suppliers were also contacted, with them stating we did not have a valid AGCO license. They contacted Transport Canada, to change the ownership of our boats, without our authorization. It was reverted after reviewing the document that was submitted by Mike was deemed insufficient. They continued for weeks to engage the public online for their defamation campaign. Their associate informed Facebook users that he was taking over the operations of our business. During the summer of 2022, they sold tickets online under the name of Wasaga Tiki Tours, and they used our business address. Unsuspecting guests who purchased tickets through the false website would show up at our location. We had to take the time from our operations to assist them in getting a refund, which was difficult and extremely unpleasant for them. We have had many people accusing us of unethical actions as a result of tickets being purchased through the false and unrelated website. Last summer was unbelievably difficult trying to operate our business professionally, while online opinions continued against us.

We've sent numerous ceases and desisted, all not adhered to, and eventually we had to serve TTI, Gaby Saucedo and Mike Karpishka for defamation. They filed a notice of an Injunction for an emergency hearing to remove our boats from the water stating we were illegal. They were unsuccessful in proving any illegal operations or conduct as stated by the Judge. Yet to this day, the post is still active and their family members continue to state on social media that we have stolen their boats.

We have tried to come to a common agreement unsuccessfully. We feel that it is time that people hear our side. It was not the route we wanted to take but felt, there were no other options to explain our side of the story.

For more details visit shakawasaga.com

Separate from the existing 3 poles at this special park, a new stand alone flag pole was erected to mark special occasions or occurrences.

On the beautiful grassy area of the park, that welcomes all coming into town from Veterans' Way, members of council were joined by Kenn Voss, owner of Wasaga Beach Canadian Tire and park custodian Mike Ambeau, to dedicate the new pole, and raise the brand new Town of Wasaga Beach flag showing the new town logo.

When the need for another pole, to mark special themed occasions or the loss of a first responder, Kenn Voss of our local Canadian Tire stepped up and was quick to donate the flag pole. With the donated pole erected, the inventory of appropriate flags was checked, with the new Town flag being added. In addition to the new Wasaga Beach flag, the flags dedicated for this location are the Remembrance Day Flag, All Children Matter Flag, LGTBQ Rainbow Flag, Thin Blue Line Flag (police) & Thin Red Line Flag (firefighters).

The raising of the New Town Flag also marks the launch of the town's new branding, and the marketing of cool merchandise and apparel, all boasting the new and colourful town logos and colours.

Visit the Town's website for links to the new offerings. Direct links available from our Digital Issue at www.beachbooster.com/publications .

Joe Bickerstaff