CN Railine Abandonment ("Northgate-Frobisher sub")

[toe]

The CP rail oil loading facility within the extremely poor choice of location has doomeEstevan City limits appears to be running into the stiffest opposition. Its doomed; but the CPR will stonewall to the very end.
Crescent point probably has the new "20 million" terminal on the Stewart rail shortline. Is it CN or CP that goes as far as Stoughton that joins with this line?
If CN is out manoevering CP on rail oil hauling; then this race will really heat up.

[toe]

I've been thinking of the expertise and knowledge that we are all missing because some of the readers of this forum might not also be regularly contributing their posts. Everyone please consider sharing the information that they have learned so that we may all become a little more enlightened.
Is it not infinately better to have your public written statements and opnions discussed than have baseless viscious drivel passed around at the local watering holes and coffee shops.

[toe]

Some of the rest of the story is that no one from the RM Enniskillen will/can give any details. And that includes the councillor for the division that includes the largely abandoned hamlet of Northgate Sask. No one apparently knows how many lots the RM has accumulated through unpaid taxes, but its probably safe to say that an unknown offer amount (to someone whose name will not be repaeted) has been entertained (behind some closed doors); and that offer is in the "lawyers hands". I don't think there was any tender or disclosure of intent to offer for sale etc. by the RM.
This might be real interesting. Since Corus Land Holding Corp had to get Sask Farmland Security Board approval to purchase up to 8 quarters of Farmland; what kind of approval do you need for a "non-Canadian entity" to potentially buy a hamlet (that coulddevelop into a village or even a town). The Land Titles (ISC) plan shows a suprisingly large area (maybe 25 or more acres) of surveyed lots within SE6 1-2-W2 and into the SW6-1-2-W2 right up to the CNR Railbed property. It is quite impressive. Remember that Corus asked for a facility.
There is also the possibility that the RM property lots are being sold to someone other than Corvus, since they might well have needed permission to effectively buy a potential town. Maybe some middlemen will get reimbursed in some way.

And no one on council appears to have any intention of declaring or advertising their interest or relationship to any of the land on either side that would adjoin the CNR railbed property all the way back to the old Elcott elevator site at grid 603. I will certainly leave everyone to draw their own conclusions; but I hope it is safe to say that if council members have not been careful they could have left open the perception that a conflict of interest was possible.
I will point out that the first 8 quarters north of the 49th parallel that adjoin the CNR rail bed go all the way just past the former Elcott elevator siding; and there you have the hub of #9 highway and Grid 603 all converging at that point.


Look on Google Earth, consult Land Titles (ISC) and especially RM maps for your details. Join the dots yourself too.
There is also reported to be what looks to be a pipe yard and short conveyors on new construction adjacent to CN rail beds at Bienfeit.
That all ties in with the possibility of again rebuilding the CNR link to join Willmar, Bienfeit, and Corus facility directly to Northgate ND USA.
And finally for this post; one of my sources within the oil industry says there is speculation that a new gas processing plant facility is possible in the area. With gas prices plummeting; that doesn't automatically mean that there isn't even more money to be made in processing at a gas plant. Lots of room on 8 quarters for all that and more.

But its pretty hard to be involved when treated like mushrooms; and apparently we are only supposed to support and buy into a long term plan and vision for the future that develops directly from residents within the Town of Oxbow, the RM and I suppose the two hamlets which includes Northgate.

[cottonpicken]

I actually know the answer to quite a few of those
questions,i thought the answers where common
knowlege,maybe i was told in confidence,i'll get
back to to you toe or should i call you checking?

[toe]

I'm intrigued by how you acquired facts that we should both have been fully aware of. I know you weren't at the last six or so RM Enniskillen Council meetings as I have been; and I fully believe that if you acquired details from Council sources; someone, or Council is deliberately denying that same information to myself and the vast majority of those entitled to know.

Don't just tell me; tell everyone.

If you can't tell everyone; then you have provided yet another verifiable example of how Municipal governance should not be done.

[toe]

I did a search for the "cottonpicken" surname in SK,MB and AB. telephone directories. Not one telephone number came up. Perhaps that is your first name.

What shall I call you?.

You know I am really interested in what you have to say; and hopefully some day everyone else will too.

[toe]

Fogot to mention that CN is keeping their taxes paid up to date. Was told that is also the case with the Redvers Sask line. I don't think they did a decent job of resration and cleanup.

[checking]

Sorry, cotton. That's another "if" on your part that means "it's a fact". Again, it's why I don't see eye to eye with you.

I'm aware of my limitations, and I could not string together a series of "toe" posts, but thank you for "iffing" that I could.

Corvus was wrong. "sorry" usually takes the string off of saying you are wrong, "if" you say it first.

In your case I wish to formally retract saying "sorry" to you.(lol)

Now, you can go back to calling everyone on Agriville "idiots" for not seeing what you see.

[farmaholic]

toe: you appear extremely passionate about this topic. What are you looking for or trying bring to light?

[parsley]

toe, I just skimmed through this thread first time
today, and indeed, it appears you are tracking old
and fresh prints in the snow. And yes, I am very
pleased when farmers dig for any Information. I
haven't yet understood the purpose of your fact-
safari yet, but maybe tonight I can read it
thoroughly toe, You're acting a little like my
tomcat when we'd go hunting moles. LOL. In
the meantime, it's celebration week, so it's glass
fill-up time. LOL. Pars.

[toe]

I desire to receive exactly the same treatment that Council gives to their friends and family relations. I expect accountability from the reeve and council members whose sole job is to manage the affairs on behalf of all the ratepayers they represent.
I do not expect perfection; in fact if it is evident that any person is sincere and honest; the quickest "I'm sorry; will try to never make that mistake again" is overkill.
I will not tolerate bullying tactics, deliberate acts of abuse of power or intimidation.
I hope for long term plans so that at least some disasters and recurring incident possibilities will not have to reacted to under the stress of emergency situations.
If I were Tom; I would pray that ratepayers take more interest in their business affairs being conducted by their elected representatives; and that as ratepayers we might make council members jobs easier by sharing ideas for their consideration. I have not ever considered service as a council member to be a thankless job. Its more like a public service duty to make a contribution to society for a period of time. It is an increasing difficult job that requires almost extreme research; thought and extensive consultation with both extremes as well as those who might seem cynical, or seem apathetic or might appear to wish not to be bothered.
I would require that council members check their hatchets outside the council chambers and that the council members realize that around that table the peoples business is to be conducted in a respectful manner; within the duties and responsibilities conferred by the Municipal Act and the Local Government Act, the current bylaws of the municipality and the resolutions passed by a majority of the quorum present. Everyone at council and every ratepayer should know from the beginning that the only authority to act stems from those 3 or 4 sources above.
It would be an extremely serious matter to enter into a deliberate conflict of interest; approach council on behalf of yourself or a friend; and then participate in making favorable decisions using your council position.
I would want to have the best possible persons hired as employees and staff; spell out what council wishes them to be responsible for, and once a year (or so) have an evaluation and basicalling either give them a bonus or let them go.
I expect that council members are not supplementing their earning by creating jobs for themselves. That is against the Municipal Act.
Especially I would expect Council members to be prepared and informed for meetings so that they may contribute to the process of coming to a reasoned best decision at the time.

I would not stand for anything less than tendering such things as fuel supplies when there two or more businesses who deliver locally; and for smaller items that does not make sense to tender not favor one business over another.
All graft and Christmas presents would be put in a pile and drawn for at something like the annual ratepayers meeting. And there should be at least one opportunity a year to publically express what is on a ratepayers mind. If it takes a free "appreciation supper" then that is not a waste of money. Everyone has to eat; and the ratepayers paid for food one way or another.
I want more representation from 50% of the residents who are under represented, meaning women. There presence and perspectives displayed around a council table; and will change that attitude and demeanor and all in a poitive way. And there are good reasons to encourage the expertise and representation of commercial business men who may well be financing 88% of a municipalities tax revenues.
Council meetings should be open; the visitors gallery filled with interested people; and a closed circuit monitor connected to an RM' high speed internet connection. And anyone during office hours should be able to take a picture of the minute book; financial statements and expenses paid out or have a photocopy for basically the cost of the paper (if any charge at all). An even better solution would be to have anyone who desired; to automatically receive an e-mailed copy at no charge; or be able to access it through the internet
It all boils down to everyone being pleasant; treated with respect and (basically) everything that does not have privacy issues being provided as freely as a glass of water.
I demand elections and votes arising from petitions for a referendum to be held as required by law. And that right should not come at the personal expense of $2901 because a council relied on the SARM legal advise that contained not one shred of sound advice in the 5 agruments that the lawyer advised could be argued. (Four of the five possible arguments were ended by the SARM lawyer admitting "But that doesn't apply in this case" The Judge ignored the 5th bogus potential argument.)

Votes should be held without the influence of "security forces" present. A council is only charged with setting a date for a referendum vote and hiring a returning officer. (and when requested appointing two "representatives" (scrutineers)). Council must then let the returning officer appoint the election officials; which may include a constable. (The ratepayers can later discuss whether society has deteriorated to necessitate rural neighbors to have effectively "cops" in the polling station, and security cameras over every shoulder in an RM office.). At the end of the day all parties must accept the outcome of the vote.
I would sincerely hope for ratepayers to realize that they are ultimately responsible for the governance they get. Good and best won't happen very often if you do not have the full pool of ratepayers that are willing to invest their time. And that is where the amalgamation word deserves to be seriously considered as we frequently deal and commute to numerous municipality everyday.
Remember you asked me; and I literally could go on for another couple of pages.


Now I would ask each one of the rest of you exactly the same question as directed to me.

What do you expect?

[toe]

And I missed saying that I desire absolutely everyone to receive the same treatment as I have personally requested.