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Published - Oct 28th, 2009
By
Anyone who has ever wandered through Victoria Glen Park must be having a difficult time these days.
The park, which has been part of the Elmira community for more than 100 years, may soon be forever changed.
That’s because a township report is recommending developing a portion of the park into residential homes, in spite of vociferous community opposition.
The opposition came in the form of intelligent, reasoned presentations at the June 23 public meeting on the matter, a community website www.preservevictoriaglenpark.blogspot.com), and an organized education campaign by residents who want to see the park remain, so that future generations can enjoy its charms.
In spite of this, the staff report continues to recommend the development of the mature forested area of the park.
There are no ways, really, that we can fault staff.
They are required to look at the current zoning on the property (residential), to look at provincial and regional policies in place that encourage infilling of residential areas, and the pressing need for Woolwich Township to raise money to cover some of the expenses it incurred when building the Woolwich Memorial Centre and the new town hall.
In spite of all those very good and logical reasons to develop the park, it is our hope that Woolwich councillors will do what is right, not what can be justified.
While township staff were likely unable to recommend anything other than what they did, given the dictates of planning policies, councillors do not need to heed the recommendation.
They are more than able to come up with another choice, one that supports the clear wishes of their constituents.
We do know that there will be a cost, that the township may well have to borrow additional funds to cover the cost of its recent capital projects. Yet, that seems like a small price to pay in exchange for keeping something that cannot ever be replaced, once it is gone.
It would be good, then, for councillors to carefully consider the many impassioned — yet reasonable — arguments that were made in favour of preserving Victoria Glen Park, the way it is, for future generations.
It is rare, indeed, for council chambers to be filled with residents who are all united in purpose and message. This newspaper, in fact, cannot recall such an instance where none were in favour of a proposed plan of action.
It would be a shame, then, if those voices go unheard.
If they are, it is very likely that these residents will remember that lack of leadership and vision, come the November 2010 election.
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