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| The Bridge on the River Lie |
| "There are no words" was the subject of an early morning e-mail yesterday. I clicked on the link and there was a feature article titled, The Bridge Builder. It was about Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority general manager Ron Reinas. At first I thought that it had been written by one of his groupies, but it was authored by the excellent Niagara Falls Review staff writer Ray Spiteri. It was, not surprisingly, a fair and well-written article about the determination of Ron Reinas who has "been trying to sell an expansion project at the Peace Bridge to skeptical government agencies in the U.S." for the past five years. There is praise all around for his perserverance in the face of opposition. Back when he served as town planner, Reinas worked hard to have the Leisureplex built. Despite serious opposition to a liquor-licensed lounge, he forged ahead and convinced the council of the day to go ahead with the project. Although thousands signed petitions; despite public outrage over "the thought of alcohol being sold at the same venue where children play hockey," despite a large turnout to oppose the granting of a liquor licence at a liquor licence board meeting held at town hall, Reinas prevailed and a bar was placed in the Leisureplex. Today that bar is owned by a former town hall department head and is a popular watering hole for town hall staff and town officials. Reinas's grit and determination seems to be the main theme of the piece, which portrays Reinas as a man who will not take no for an answer when he is sure that he is right. And that brings me to the problem with Reinas and his bridge. It may be his dream, but it is also his delusion. The companion to the Peace Bridge will not be built. Reinas and the PBA's bridge consists of: No bridge design No money No completed environmental impact studies in either country Not enough land No permits No permit applications No approvals The opposition on the U.S. side is explained away by Reinas by pointing out that the Frederick Olmstead designed Front Park will be "made larger." and other area improvements. Yet the opposition is fierce and well-organized. If all that Reinas says is the truth, why would so many diverse groups be united in the effort to stop the bridge expansion project? Reinas has often found himself facing angry citizens on the U.S. side at meetings organized by these groups. There are audio tapes of these meetings and Reinas has given conflicting information from what those on the Canadian side of the river are hearing. Yes Reinas is determined. Even Mayor Martin has dubbed him "Mr. Persistance." And like the treatment of those in opposition to the selling of liquor at the Leisureplex, Reinas will continue to have the attitude of "the public be damned; it's my way or the highway." |
