I called Frank Cairo this afternoon to have a chat with him. During our conversation Frank indicated that he felt personally attacked by this blog and the media reports. I want to make something very clear to you Frank as I know you are reading this. I have never personally attacked you only the company you work for and the actions they have taken over the past 8 weeks. In fact it may surprise you to find out that I actually like you. In fact within several minutes of our face to face meeting I liked you. You struck me as someone who believes in what he is doing and is working hard to get things accomplished. Your only fault has been in managing the information coming out. If you doubt me ask some of the other home buyers who we met in our kitchen what my comment was about you. It went something like:
“Mr. Cario strikes me as an honest person who truly wishes to see things resolved. He is the type of guy who would jump into the tractor to get things moving if he felt it would help.“
I think that your perception of taking things personally is further proof that you believe in what you are doing and a person of belief is the person who will work the hardest. I know full well that Mattamy has been working very hard with the city to get things resolved but you have not relayed that to the press or this blog in any fashion. When I sign off on blog posts with back to your Frank or similar lines they are invitations for you to respond but you never have.
Let me be clear Frank. I hold absolutely no animosity towards you what so ever and it has never ever been personal.
With regards to lobying the province to change the planning rules I believe a balanced approach is required. I think that it is incredulous the amount of investment and time that developers have to put in, to even get to draft approval. Those costs are downloaded to the consumer so I think it is best that that process is dramatically streamlined. If the end of the process is reduced in time and cost then the ability to go beyond draft approval before selling lots becomes a fiscal possibility. This would also provide the developers the opportunity to provide an honest closing date.
The fact that the province has downloaded the responsibilities to the municipalities with no oversight to manage and interpret the planning act is a mistake. Under the current political environment there is far to many hurdles and levels to overcome. The costs that are incurred by these hurdles are passed directly to the consumer. There is far to little accountability and oversight with regards to municipal governments, the OMB, MOE, Engineering Firms and developers as well.
It is time the process is changed to the benefit of not only the consumer but the developer as well. I am not saying that the multiple levels of government are to blame for the current situation but they do play a role by simply following the planning act.
I urge you Frank to contact the media and get your side of the story out and what Mattamy is doing. If you want to direct attacks at me or this blog then please feel free but by all means call Brendan at the Ottawa Citizen and get your message out.
Lastly Frank, my sincere apologies if you felt personally attacked that was certainly never my intention. We love our Mattamy Home and dearly look forward to moving in one day but communicate better my friend.
Sincerely
Keith Chadwick
Another phase 5 buyer said,
October 11, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
First of all, I would like to say I really appreciate what Keith and his wife contributed to our phase 5 in the past few weeks. I could imagine how much time and effort they put into. Thank you very much.
Secondly, I want to speak to Frank. I read all posts in this blog and have never felt Keith’s family attacked anyone personally at Mattamy, nor do I think they have such an intention. If you put yourself as a homebuyer like us, you will understand how coldly and unfairly Mattamy treated us after we signed our agreement. Also I don’t think Mattamy would provide us with those “generous” options if there were not Keith’s tremendous effort here. All behavior Mattamy has presented in front of us these days doesn’t deserve the award it received and its “past” reputation as a premium largest builder in Canada. Certainly, I am disappointed and lost confidence in Mattamy. We have legal contract with Mattamy, not anyone individually.
Former Phase 5 owner said,
October 12, 2008 @ 12:50 am
I would also like to take the time to personally thank Danielle and Keith for all the hard work they have put into this situation. I strongly feel that we would not have the options that we currently have in front of us including the option to walk away this quickly if it weren’t for their dedication to this cause.
I would also like to agree with Keith in his statement regarding the kitchen conversation.. Never once did they give the impression to us, or anyone that they wanted to make this a personal attack on anyone involved with Mattamy including Mr Cairo… The main focus was to get some answers for the home buyers, to initiate communication between Mattamy, the City, MOE and other parties to get the house completed.
Thanks again Keith and Danielle
Another Phase 5 Owner said,
October 16, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
They still haven’t contacted me for the contractual amendment yet.
On top of that, Rogers and Bell SUCK in the area. They offer like, no services!
Emily Moses said,
October 17, 2008 @ 9:10 am
Re the new amendment – I was contacted the other day and told they want us to come in before a new release of homes on Oct 25th to sign a whole new agreement – not just an amendment. Apparently we will also get a $2000 credit on closing. Haven’t gone in yet – totally not loving the sales staff there – seem totally uninterested in accommodating any out of the ordinary requests eg. having the agreement ready in advance so we don’t have to wait for them to pull it together once we get to the sales centre – duh I’ve got a 2 year old that will have to come with us (as they want my husband and I to be there at the same time to sign) and he definitely isn’t going to enjoy waiting around.
Stephen Leafloor said,
October 22, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
Nice meeting you Keith tonight -thanks again for all your efforts !
Brianne Rossi-Bebar said,
October 27, 2008 @ 11:45 am
Well said, Keith. You have stuck to the point all along. This isn’t about attacking anyone – it’s about asking questions so we can feel good about this purchase.
I was not able to attend Mattamy’s meeting – I was out of town – but I am curious to hear about it. I understand they are offering $5k off the house price, but only if you sign by Oct 31? Not much notice, is it?
I have not been contacted by Mattamy yet about this and it’s already the 27th. We shall see….