Robert O’maley

Is it time to fire Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and bring in the OPP?

SooToday

Orangeville is 1/2 the size of SSM and was budgeted for $9.5 million for OPP coverage this year…1/4 of the SSM budget. Food for thought.

- Robert O’maley

Council backs mayor: King Charles' portrait won't be hung at city hall

SooToday

I must say, my mind was changed when the Mayor explained that the Queens portrait was removed years earlier as the British Monarch has failed to apologize for its role in the residential schools being run in Canada. Kinda interesting to hear that they chose to hang Chief Shingwauk’s portrait instead as he was more influential for our city’s history. No apology, no monarch photo on the wall. Good to see the support for our First Nation neighbour’s on this vote and the almost unanimous decision for the OPP costing. Our city deserves to know…

- Robert O’maley

Bitter sweet: One of Station Mall's original stores has closed

SooToday

A true Canadian hero with her elbows up, way back then, defeating the Americans…who had absolutely nothing to do with chocolate.

- Robert O’maley

Is it time to fire Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and bring in the OPP?

SooToday

From what I’ve read, it seems that all the current cops here automatically get hired by the OPP and have to stay working here during the transition as long as they aren’t going through any legal proceedings…saying bye to the bad apples. It seems like the savings of OPP taking over other areas had come from cutting duplicated management and office workers.

- Robert O’maley

Bridge closure sparks concerns over emergency access and property values

SooToday

Rebuilding a new bridge would be an enormous waste of money. It literally puts people an extra 1-2 minutes maximum out of their way to have to go to Town Line Road instead of the Carpin Beach Road direction. Decommission and fix more of the roads that need some attention.

- Robert O’maley

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Bitter sweet: One of Station Mall's original stores has closed

SooToday

They ran out of money to pay the bills let alone fund the dreams. Condos, here we come!!!

- Robert O’maley

How the city is calculating your slice of the property tax pie

SooToday

Can’t wait to see which way counsellors vote for on Spina’s request this Monday to have the OPP quote a cost for covering the city. Police costs should be half that $40,000,000 budget like other cities this size. Or can we afford more to just have our names on the cop car doors?

- Robert O’maley

Consultant proposes getting rid of St. Marys River Drive

SooToday

NIMBY!!!! It’s funny to listen to people complain about anything they can, ignorantly. Anybody who has lived in this city knows that everything from the seniors building at the west, to Station Tower in the east, including the Delta was once owned by ACR. It was all one property. They allowed the City to build a nice road and boardwalk across their property. Now they, the owners of the property, want to redevelop their mall and build right to the waterfront with restaurants and shops etc. Yes, moving the road needs City permission but believe it or not, the hotdog carts weren’t allowed because they competed with mall restaurants, on their property. There will still be access to the public to sit, park, enjoy the waterfront. Now their will be a few places to grab a drink, dine with a view of the waterfront. Let them build it, let them capitalize on the property they bought and are willing to invest in. No more playing Frogger, dodging cars from the mall to the waterfront.

- Robert O’maley

EXCLUSIVE: Station Mall in receivership after owner fails to pay $18M mortgage

SooToday

Every mall in North America is looking to convert to an increased residential presence. Even large companies like Costco, known for their massive retail footprint locations are developing multi floor buildings with retail on main, residential above. Their most recent build in South Los Angeles shows their intent to build retail stores into communities.

- Robert O’maley

City council rejects limits on election signs on public property

SooToday

I wouldn’t doubt it Mopar…just read another article…. $40 million dollar budget, not the $30 I thought…blows my mind…and they want a new building. Friend works there and describes it as lots of big fish in a little pond. I’m sure there’s lots of unneeded management and jobs being duplicated by OPP staff already. If I’m going to help pay $40 million for cops, I want to see it’s worth on the streets not hiding in offices.

- Robert O’maley

City council rejects limits on election signs on public property

SooToday

This is what our city council is concerned about? Our police are $3 million over budget, which is already costing the city $30 million plus a year and the focus is on election signs. Looking forward to Sonny Spina’s upcoming request to have the city request a costing for OPP coverage of policing for the city. Norfolk County OPP who provide policing to a population very similar to SSM pays half this cost for policing…$15 million extra dollars is being spent on what???? Certainly not seeing the results of this super sized police budget on all these criminals or crazy drivers getting away with everything and anything in this city. I want to know where my tax money is going.

- Robert O’maley

Sault Ste. Marie will investigate cost of switching to OPP protection

SooToday

The real question will be if the OPP wants to take the hassles of our city over. Orillia OPP is the largest detachment of 160 officers, compared to 153 in the Soo. Lots of complaints covered by OrilliaMatters.com about the OPP budget going up for Orillia, Oro-Medonte Township, Severn Township, and Ramara Township which all surround Orillia and are covered by Orillia OPP. Those 80,000 people policed by Orillia OPP have a total OPP budget costing just under a total of $20,000,000 in 2025. No question they can do it cheaper…by half, but no doubt the service levels will not be the same. Is it worth it to the OPP to start taking over more of the province?

- Robert O’maley