This week, Woolwich councillors decided to compromise, preserving a portion of Victoria Glen Park, while continuing to investigate developing the remaining portions owned by the township.

While a minor victory for those seeking to preserve the park, it is truly a compromise that will please no one.

This is because the effort ? not to mention the loss of natural habitat ? will be hardly worth it, given the net revenue of somewhere between $400,000 to $500,000.

Township staff will be faced with the onerous and expensive task of investigating whether development is even possible or desirable — and given information presented at the Nov. 3 committee-of-the-whole meeting, that is not very likely.

And, given that not one member of the public has come to council chambers to present a point of view other than one to preserve the entire Victoria Glen, we suggest that the compromise is not one that will sit well with area residents.

We heard councillor Murray Martin’s assertion that there are many who support some measured development on the property. If that is so, they certainly could have come to council to present that opinion, or barring, that, written a letter in support of the proposal.

We have seen none.

That, indeed, is a rarity to have any issue of public interest where no one speaks in favour of a proposal. This paper can recall no such incidence.

We humbly suggest that the residents of Elmira have indeed spoken, and that their wishes should be heeded.

Victoria Glen Park, to borrow councillor Ruby Weber’s words, is “magical, a gem.”

It is something that will never be the same, if even a portion is lost.

It’s simply not worth it — especially considering how much staff time and energy will be put into a project that the residents of this community do not support.

We hope and trust that councillors will think about that this week, while having their “sober second thought” before the council meeting on Nov. 10.