3 C
Niagara Falls
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Letter to the editor: All of this could have been avoided

SUBMITTED BY CAROLYN BERNACCI.
OPINION

I can only speak for myself, but I firmly believe that “the fight” over the proposed Randwood Development could have been almost entirely avoided had the residents and Mr. Marotta been on the same page in regards to the definition of what constitutes a development that is good for both Niagara-on-the-Lake and Mr. Marotta’s business.

I leave those completely opposed to any change out of this debate.

There are many smaller builders in NOTL who are rarely spoken about, if at all, with the degree of frustration and nastiness that Mr. Marotta’s developments provoke.

Why aren’t the folks in NOTL appreciative and accepting of someone who has the resources to make a very positive contribution to this beautiful town; someone who  would most likely be welcomed by many other communities? I think the answer lies on the front page of The Lake Report (Feb. 21) with a simple picture of the proposed development.

Personally, I can’t get past this drawing. I  believe that Mr. Marotta’s definition of “five-star” and “signature”  and “legacy” and the  proposed  builds to attract  “young” people and “attracting people with money” are not the same as the resident’s of  NOTL definition or need of the same.

If the first image proposed by Mr. Marotta had incorporated historical colours, old brick patterns and  stone, real wrought iron, and any other materials and building styles which define a  more stately, historical approach to this particular property/development, I would have been the first person to shake Mr. Marotta’s  hand and sincerely thank him for his contributions to our town, as we do with many other business people who make such a positive impact in NOTL.

I could be completely wrong in my thinking but pictures are worth a thousand words … change the building and scale and feel of the development to reflect what residents enjoy most about living here so much (it is certainly not because of an over-abundance of tourists and stucco) and maybe the hostility towards this endeavour could have been dissipated.

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