Dear editor:

After reading Peter Rusin’s letter last week about the hotel being proposed on the Rand Estate, it is not surprising that a Benny Marotta development and anti-SORE supporter has expressed the worthiness of a celebration when yet another development proposal by developer Marotta for the Rand Estate is also being reviewed by council (“Letter: Rand Estate hotel is just desserts for SORE,” May 21, The Lake Report).

To begin with, his use of the phrase “NIMBY” is dishonest, especially when used by those personally unaffected by a particular development (see also my letter “NIMBYism isn’t always a bad idea, is misunderstood,” in The Lake Report from May 20, 2021). This is something the anti-NIMBY friends referred to by the writer seem not to understand and shows only a complete lack of common sense.

NIMBYism, as I understand it in this case, is not anti-development, as some would like to claim, and it appears to this writer that Save Our Rand Estate is basically trying to preseve the historical and heritage assets that have been determined by experts to be located at the site, for the benefit of current and future generations. It is not against development of the Rand Estate.

The Ontario Land Tribunal in its findings against the Marotta proposal obviously agreed. Unfortunately, SORE and NOTL are, in my opinion, facing a developer who wants no other way but his own, regardless of what local residents or anyone else may think or what amendments may be required and is reported to be difficult to deal with.

This apparent stubborness has over time led to high litigation costs for those concerned. This of course is well-illustrated by the recent withdrawal of its appeal of the tribunal decision and hardly supports the evolvement of a reasonable subdivision plan as claimed.

The Rand Estate is an iconic and valuable property that is held in high regard by most people and dear to others. But not all, of course. Even so, it is also a property that is special in nature and any development should take this honestly into account, as well as the surrounding neighbourhood who will have to live with it.

Making rude, anti-SORE and NIMBY comments achieves nothing and in fact shows little credibility.

Derek Collins
NOTL