Northgate

[sumdumguy]

Unbelievable. Is Scoular a Canadian company? When are council elevtions? Usually in the fall?

[oneoff]

Council elections in Sask on Oct 22. Advance poll scheduled for Oct 20 in this area.

Division 2 includes the Northgate development area. And yes there is a contested election. Same in Division 4. Would have been one in Division 6 according to rumor; but got turned off at nomination paper stage.

Real problem is that cloak of secrececy has been effective in preventing any pertinent information getting out over past decades. Council minutes get censored before passing onto local papers. Real "ugly ugly ugly" situations aren't divulged and to bring those issues up is seen as divisive; anti social, and disruptive of community building by leadership and theiir group of supporters.

Coupled with family and business ties; the result is the vast vast majority realize that anyone is absolutely "stupid" to get actively involved.

UNTIL we hit rock bottom and maybe thats exactly where we were getting close to.

Congratulations to the new candidates. People do still show up for local municipal elections; and there are instances where somewhat open minds do the right thing. It will depend on doing the legwork; disseminating the information that has been withheld and getting the vote out.

Best wishes for all our sakes.

[trakter]

I was down there and they loop track is constructed. The permanent grain terminal is just starting construction. What you are referring to is a temporary transloading facility to help producers move some grain starting this fall, so they don't have to wait for the permanent grain terminal. I am not sure why you would complain about that.

[oneoff]

Is the grain loop in place. The Western Producer Says "together the rights offering and loan will allow the company to proceed with the construction hub, which will include grain handling facilities; oil transloading infrastructure and a 120 car train loop."
There are supposed to be two loops; one for oil and one for grain, and the WP report reads like there may be only one unit train space now available.

I was relying on the paper and don't know personally.

[monte]

I hope they can get this location operational...we need to get another shipping point south with another railway.

Sounds promising, keep building it out.

[farmaholic]

BNSF and CP, isn't it basically the same shit and the same pile? As Buffet plays with his train sets.....

[Mjolnir]

Please explain why lots in the unorganized hamlet of Northgate are worth $50,000. Is there other activity in the area that is driving up lot prices? Are there other businesses in Northgate? Does anyone live in Northgate?

[oneoff]

Well actuallly $57,000 each for bare lots (25 feet wide as I recall.) And not just one or two. They were intent on getting every last square inch; and the RM made sure that happened in as secret a fashion as possible.


And if you call a man camp; a livable facility; then I guess there are many people expected in the "Northgate" development site. Whether that facility is assesssed or licenced or paying any tax is surely an unknown.

The developers quite probably intended the whole site to be a part of the USA; as much as anything else.


And just for fun; an RM legal opinion says that the Northgate townsite could never become autonomus because it is all owned by one owner. For starters I think James Richardson's property would make two owners; and with joint ownership ventures quite probable; I'll just bet there could be several more ratepayers and property voters in the future.


But what do I know?

[Mjolnir]

Northgate

So the RM expropriated the land and paid $57,000 each for lots and then sold these lots to the grain company for $500/each? Is that right?

[Mjolnir]

So the RM expropriated the land and paid $57,000 each for lots and then sold these lots to the grain company for $500/each? Is that right?

[trakter]

There was no expropriation. The RM only sold lots they got for nothing because the were abandoned by the original owners.

[oneoff]

Not all the hamlet/townsite lots were ever sold initially upon "Norhgate's creation. Nor all sold during the time up to Corus's acquisition. Some properties came back to the RM through arrears in property tax payment ("tax enforcement"). And some persons added several lots to their holding over the years. Those lots fetched up to $57,000 each. One last holdout did even better of those lots. Most people took a very few thousand on advice that it was a windfall. Even SaskTel sold their lot for $2500.00. Thats the way that it happens when every one largely goes their own way.

Just like farming.


The end result was that the RM had title to the bulk of the property in the townsite. Without any tendering or public discussion; and with an "oath of secrecy" the RM property was sold lock stock and barrel. At least some "public" lots were acres in size. School tax arrears were paid to the school division after the sale was made.... through ratepayers funds. I believe that the legal costs and land transfers were paid by the ratepayers as well. Its all a touchy subject and one only dares ask a limited number of questions and you certainly don't follow up with confirmations on the myriad of details that continue to be important in knowing the whole story.

THERE is a legal document that reads like the purchaser had control of the purchasing process with the RM. It cover the purchaser well.

This was not a part of our new 25 year plan. I never heard Northgate mentioned once during the public input stage of that plan. In fact what happened to that plan and the total revision of the municipal bylaws which were to come therefrom. Too many subjects on too few minds. Hopefully that 25 year plan it is just a waste of money and further damage doesn't come from that charade.

And we don't have a "community development officer" errrrr "economic development officer" anymore although until that position is filled by a qualified replacement I guess that we theoretically do; though some agreement to "stay on". Don't dare ask the details. Whether the 3% commissions on grants received ; continues on is unkown. Commissions paid haven't to my knowledge ever been disclosed.


And there isn't anyone else asking those questions.


An agreement was made to transfer every lane and street possible to the new Corus company.

That last one is an interesting one because no council is supposed to bind future councils by deals such as that. And to my knowledge there has been no movement to disband the substantial surveyed townsite.

And the CNR railyards and railbed, turn aound etc are still on the tax roll. It sure doesn't look like that end of the CNR is up for anyone's grab.

Do that answer the question satisfactorily. If not; you check out with council; and be sure to tell everyone else the ANSWERS.