HAGERSVILLE -- A developer of a multi-million dollar seniors townhouse project halted by natives because of a possible land claim appears resigned to the demise of his development.
But Dan Valentini isn't calling it quits yet.
"I haven't given up, but I've seen what happened to the Hennings," Dan Valentini said yesterday, referring to the two brothers, Don and John, whose housing project in Caledonia was halted when natives occupied it 15 months ago due to a land claim.
"Not only that. Not too many will want to go in there and purchase when they're not certain whether they own it or not. I wouldn't. It's a major investment for people."
Valentini, who has built projects in Hamilton, was six weeks into developing the 34-hectare site on Main Street when about two dozens natives occupied it Wednesday morning, claiming it is part of a Six Nations land claim.
They left mid-afternoon after Valentini agreed to stop work and move equipment off the site. The issue is to be raised at the negotiating table set up to resolve the Caledonia standoff, but Valentini had not heard from anyone in the federal and provincial governments Thursday night.
The only call he has had is from the Ontario Provincial Police, who wanted to know when he might move back on the land because they wanted to be ready for the return of the natives.
While the Stoney Creek resident doesn't know which way to turn, he has hired lawyer Michael Bruder, who represented the Hennings through their troubles until the Ontario government bought the brothers' property for $16 million last summer. Bruder could not be reached for comment.
Valentini is not impressed with the way he's being treated.
"Our government is not responsible to call me, I guess, because they have no clue how it affects everybody," he said.
"Nobody has talked to me at all. All I know is I've got a piece of property that is not worth anything now and I can't get financing for anymore. We're caught in a really bad spot right now."
The project is to involve 90 townhouse units and a condo building with 16 units. Asked if he is going to seek compensation from the government, Valentini said it was too early to say because he didn't know what his options are.
"We've got a lifetime of work in there. It affects my family. It affects everything that I've done. It's not good. I don't know where we're going." Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer, who was blindsided by the Hagersville protest, said she had talked to federal negotiator Barbara McDougall about the situation on Wednesday and said she had promised to get back to her as soon as possible with a progress report.
She was still waiting Thursday night.
The province later announced federal and provincial negotiators had left the bargaining table to protest the Hagersville occupation. They'll return next Thursday.
Trainer said the townhouse project had been before Haldimand county for more than a year and there was no evidence it was part of a land claim.
She noted the Mississaugas of the New Credit said they had once owned the land, which had been occupied by Northview Public School until a couple of years ago, but say they sold it to non-natives in the 19th century.
She believed the Hagersville action was committed by "radicals" within the Six Nations community. "It's very disappointing," said the mayor, who wouldn't discuss the impact such actions are having on the development climate in Haldimand County.
"There's somethings I'm not going to tell you," she said.
"They'll (native protesters) go there next." Ontario Conservative leader John Tory was in Hamilton yesterday and questioned once again how the Liberal government is dealing with the burgeoning protests in Haldimand. He said the government has to ensure that the law is upheld.
"I understand the frustration of the aboriginal people but at the same time we have to make sure the law is respected," Tory told reporters.
"If I was premier, I would call the leadership of those communities in and say, 'Look, we can't have lawlessness going on while we're negotiating so I'm going to ask you to withdraw from land, stop occupation, stop misbehaviour of any kind, respect the law while we continue to negotiate."