Dear editor:

One does not have to look very far to unveil what appears to be yet another contradiction in Benny Marotta's development ambitions for the Rand Estate.

As The Lake Report has indicated in the Oct. 7 edition, Mr. Marotta is now appealing the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake's order to carry out necessary repair and restoration work on the Rand Estate by a specific date in order to meet the relevant property standards bylaw.

However, in The Lake Report dated July 11, 2019, the property owner (Solmar) denies any allegations of neglect that were voiced by local activists (NOTL residents) and which could ultimately cause deterioration to buildings beyond their repair. 

Instead, lawyer Thomas Richardson of Sullivan Mahoney, legal representative for Mr. Marotta, claims his clients have maintained the property as required by the Ontario Heritage Act.

Given the nature of the NOTL order and the extensive amount of repair work that is now called for, this seems to me to be a long way from the truth.

While I do not profess to be familiar with the maintenance requirements specified in the Ontario Heritage Act and which may vary, I think it is fair to assume that, as a minimum, they are required to preserve any heritage attributes that exist. 

Again, Mr. Marotta as a self-interested developer, demonstrates his growing lack of credibility and blatant disregard for the concerns of the local NOTL community with his constant and outrageous lawsuits and appeals. 

Derek Collins
NOTL