Business Improvement Area (B.I.A.) – Page 3 – Freedom Party of Ontario Archive

Downtown London Metrobulletin (Issue #1)

May 151981

Published by later-to-be Freedom Party Action Director Marc Emery, nine issues of the Downtown London Metrobulletin were published from 1981 to 1982. Emery launched the Downtown London Metrobulletin after leaving the broadsheet newspaper he founded in 1980, the London Tribune. Emery and fellow investor/writer Robert Metz left the London Tribune over its editorial policy: Emery’s vision of a hard-hitting newspaper was trumped by other investors, who did not want their friends and business connections to be criticized in the paper. The Downtown London Metrobulletin was succeeded by the London Metrobulletin in 1983, which Emery launched after buying the printing assets of the London Tribune (which had failed following the departure of Emery and Metz).

Contents of Issue #1:
What a mess; In search of the 3rd dept store; Council: Everything we touch turns to stone; Random notes; The downtown business “Tell it like it is” survey; Random notes; New ideas: Dining in the great! outdoors; Cabs: Gov’t price fixing; Random notes; B.I.A. board meeting Tuesday May 12: For 1981…no mall; Mall plan ignores merchants; Letters. Continue reading »

Marc Emery on Access 96: BIAs

All, pre-FPO Hosted

May 121981

1980-xx-xx.emery-thumb2 AUDIO – DESCRIPTION:

Marc Emery on Access 96: BIAs and the Downtown London Metrobulletin

All, pre-FPO Hosted

Apr 141981

1980-xx-xx.emery-thumb2 AUDIO – DESCRIPTION:

Years prior to the founding of Freedom Party of Ontario, Marc Emery was a weekly contributor a program called Access 96, broadcasted on CFPL FM 96 in London, Ontario. In this broadcast, Marc talks about Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and announces the launch of his new newsletter for London business persons, the Downtown London Metrobulletin.

News: Marc Emery to challenge London BIA budget in court

All, Pre-FPO Featured

May 241980

AUDIO – DESCRIPTION:

In this news item, it is reported that Marc Emery will be challenging a resolution by London City Council that approved a $100,000.00 budget for a London Business Improvement Area (BIA) association that, pursuant to a provincial law, could be formed and funded by taxes imposed upon businesses within the area. It is reported that the motion is to be heard by the Ontario Supreme Court on June 26.

News report: London Mayor Al Gleeson versus Marc Emery on London’s new BIA tax

All, Pre-FPO Featured

May 231980

AUDIO – DESCRIPTION:

In this extended news item, Marc Emery explains why he is opposed to the new Business Improvement Area tax in west London, Ontario; he explains that 1/3rd of the number originally queried about imposing the tax are currently opposed to the tax, and that Emery expects to find 85 to 90% of business persons in the area to be opposed to it. He explains that about 300 businesses were needed to oppose the imposition of the tax, and that about 110 did oppose (however, the vast majority of the 850 or so businesses polled about the tax did not respond to the questionnaire, and the absence of their response was taken by the city to be equivalent to a vote in favour of the tax). Emery submits that about 15 or 20 businesses were able to get the tax imposed. He submits that although 800+ businesses will be forced to contribute taxes, only about 30 businesses will benefit from the money spent (the other businesses being too far away from where the money will be spent). A full 6% of the $100,000.00 in tax revenues collected will come from just one of the 800+ taxed businesses: insurer London Life.

This recording is a combination of two recordings, the second – having occurred one day later – was London Mayor Al Gleeson’s response to Emery’s position on the BIA tax. Gleason essentially takes the position that, for those who were out-voted, “too bad”. He takes issue with Emery’s submission about only 30 businesses benefitting. He also explains that the enabling provincial legislation was imposed in 1977 (which was a year in which Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives were in government).

News report – Voices: Profile of Marc Emery’s dispute with London’s BIA and Mayor Al Gleeson

All, Pre-FPO Featured

May 181980

AUDIO – DESCRIPTION:

Radio show “Voices” profiles the ongoing dispute between Marc Emery (who, in 1984, would co-found Freedom Party of Ontario) and west London’s business community (and Mayor Al Gleeson) over the imposition of a new tax on business owners in west London. It is reported that Emery will not pay a new Business Improvement Area (BIA) tax, and could face court action if he does not pay. Marc Emery describes who was motivated to ask for the tax and why. He explains that businesses should be free to spend their own money advertising as they see fit, rather than being forced to pay into a pool that will be used to promote the downtown (which, he explains, will not work). Jack Blair, president of the Downtown Business Improvement Association says that those who oppose the tax simply do not understand the benefits of what it will achieve. Mayor Al Gleeson is heard stating that the tax is a legal by-law and that the city will seek enforcement through the courts against a person who does not pay it. He criticizes the validity of Emery’s petition (which he is circulating among other store owners in the area) and says that Emery should spend his efforts supporting the BIA, rather than opposing it.

TV news report [audio only] – London Mayor Al Gleeson says Marc Emery faces court action if he does not pay BIA tax

All, Pre-FPO Featured

May 151980

AUDIO – DESCRIPTION:

In this news broadcast, it is reported that London Bookstore owner Marc Emery (who, in 1984, would co-found Freedom Party of Ontario) who has announced that he will not pay a new Business Improvement Area (BIA) tax, could face court action if he does not pay. Marc Emery describes who was motivated to ask for the tax and why; and he describes the fact that those business owners who did not respond to a questionnaire about imposing the tax were deemed to be in favour of the tax, such that the city then created the bylaw for the small handful of business persons who wanted the money to do with it as their association wanted to do with it. Mayor Al Gleeson is heard stating that the tax is a legal by-law and that the city will seek enforcement through the courts against a person who does not pay it. It is reported that Emery is circulating a petition among other store owners in the area.

News report: Emery refuses to pay BIA tax, offers to take over city kiosks

All, Pre-FPO Featured

May 151980

AUDIO – DESCRIPTION:

In this news broadcast, it is reported the London Bookstore owner Marc Emery (who, in 1984, would co-found Freedom Party of Ontario) has – like several other business owners in west London – received a notice that he is required to pay a new tax in connection with the founding of a Business Improvement Area. It is reported that he is circulating a petition among other store owners in the area, and that he will refuse to pay the tax. In addition, it is reported that Emery has offered to London’s Board of Control that he will take-over London’s kiosks, which have become over-run with graffiti, if he can keep the advertising revenue that they generate.

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