CN Railine Abandonment ("Northgate-Frobisher sub")

[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.

[toe]

Didn't mean to put that last post in this topic, but surely no real harm done.
Today I was in touch with Sask Dep't of Highways. The connection is that in Sask, federally regulated railways are under the juridiction of "Rail Services" under Sask De't of Highways; and there is an ex CPR fellow in charge who knows both sides of the rail business. Just because a company such as CNR salvages the rail ( because no local municipality stepped up to buy it for net salvage value (or less); does not mean that the federally regulated CNR can not retain the rail bed. For you guys in the deep south; this means that the CNR can turn it into an active rail line again if they so wish. It may very well be that a very important piece of property was overlooked. At the very least about $30,000 dollars per mile of "grain dependent" line entitlement was missed. That might have paid for the rail, tie and road bed value. The ties may have had near zero value and the rail sure wasn't heavy duty; but I don't recall seeing the net salvage value.

Post a mesage if anyone desires the contact info.

[farmaholic]

You're making some very pointed statements, seems only names are missing. Good luck with your quest and attempt to rouse the electorate.

[hobbyfrmr]

Toe, you have excellent expectations of the
municipal council. I agree 120%. In all your
detailed description I can see that you will be an
excellent RM councilor and hold your fellow
councillors to the position of upmost accountability
and moral integrity. Good luck and best success.

[cottonpicken]

In my best condecending chinese voice "soooo
sorrrry'doubt im the only one who scene it.

[jackspratwhynot]

Cotton: You seem to be quick to call BS. Consider that anyone that has ever had access to any computer that you have ever used; with or without your permission; may very well have automatic access to any of the sites that you have frequented. Further; when you are using a friends computer; or a public computer; there are possibilities that someone or the last user(s) have not completely logged out. It should be obvious that there are many ways that two or more people may unintentionally or deliberately for legitimate reasons somehow have access to common programs, networks and websites.
And that doesn't even go into the dispicable realm of hacking and trying to find out personal information. Once only a single detail is determined; anyone's life could be turned upside down. perhaps you could ask someone like parsley how your website may be intruded upon by micschievious persons (or worse). I believe she mentioned those problems some years ago. That creates stress and takes time to attempt to recover from the violation of your data and info; and the important violation of what you wish to remain your personal space.
I'll give you an example that should scare the B.S right out of you "cotton". Like your post office mail box; the only security you have is your key and every copy of it that has ever been made. If you were sick five years back and sent someone for your mail; or if some good samaritan ever anonymously returned your set of car keys (and the attached post office keys); will you ever be 100% sure that you still have all the keys that can unlock your post office box at 2:30 a.m tomorrow morning. And while you may be lucky enough that your mail may never be touched; are you absolutely sure that that old truck couldn't be driven off at any time. (or vice versa)
Using the same analogy; when you or anyone signs (including me) signs into agriville and types in "cottonpicken", then claims they have lost the password; and asks that the password info be sent to your email mailbox (which you've no doubt given to hundreds of people over many years). Now, remember the example given above; put it into context; and admit there remains but one detail to post as cottonpicken. Its that samaritan (from above example) or that person who went for your mail many years ago who has instant access to your full agriville acount info and may freely impersonate your claim to know the answers to the important Corus Land Holding Corp "secrets". The story still hasn't broken and either you have what could be used as insider info; or else you know nothing. Which is it?.

[jackspratwhynot]

A little more info. I phoned the Farm Land Security Board. I was told that non-residents and "non-Canadian entities" who wish to purchase more than 10 acres of farmland; require an Order from the Farm Land Security Board. He refreshed his memory and read the same details and caveats that are posted on the internet. As for buying as much property in the City of Estevan; or the hamlet of Northgate; it is not within the juridiction of the Farmland Security Board and I was told he was not aware of any other prior oversight requirement.
Corus has title to basically all the section of land on all sides adjoining the quite extensive CNR "railyard" in Northgate. The CNR rail property property (currently assessed at some 1.3 million or so. The adjoing land assessment are quite low as is expected to be for relatively poor farmland comprised of pasture, rocks and water runs. Take a look at SAMAVIEW on the internet to see more assessment info for basically every property in Sask. Its awesome.
As for the 250 surveyed lots and streets in the hamlet; there arewell in excess of 169 in the name of the RM of Enniskillen. I would estimate the RM holds title to a good 80% plus of lots and the certainly land area ( no thanks to the Council who remain tight lipped) about the existance of Corus's plans or the Council's decisions. Too bad someone else would'nt phone up to ask about the availability of property for your possibile " hotel/ motel accomodation" project near Northgate. It could well be a company town. The previously surveyed reservoir, pipeline corridor and water storage area that could have served the community has already been acquired by Corus.

I asked the Farm Land Security Board what the "facility" entailed. and it took several seconds to receive an answer. It is "oil related". My speculation is that the option is open for a lot more than that (up until 2016. We'' see if the RM has similarly protected our public property.. We'll also see how RM zoning bylaw changes are triggered; building codes; building inspectors etc. all fit in; but don't expect any input into the ratepayer's long term goals and development plan which Council now appears to be interested in.
The speculation about Corus acquiring the land all the way to Elcott along the railbed appears wrong. Four of their allowed 8 quarters is already burned up, and whomever Corus is; now has s contiguos 1 mile north of the 49th parallel ( with probable imminent ownership of as much of the substancial publically owned land as they want) Still speculating about the facts; as they are not publically available.
Except for the unknown sale price of the ratepayers' public municipal property; the land sale prices bode well for future sellers. Everything (rocks and pastureland and waterruns) is selling for well over $1000 per acre (eg 124 acres for about $134,000 and 98 acres for 106,000 etc) (I think that is correct or close; but surel someone else can check into Land Titles on their own. That too doesn't cost anything; but because basically no one asks or is interesred enough on their own; I suspect that the very interesting info on the ISC website is underutilized. Again where's the real contribution from people such as "cotton"