Dear Mayor Adams & Council

I am writing to voice my extreme disappointment in the recent decision by Orangeville Town Council to cancel their support and consequently refuse Federal and Provincial grant money available for the Orangeville Trailway, Centre Street to Townline trail.

I attended the open meeting on Monday, April 29th and listened attentively to presentations both for and against the trail. Committee spokespersons and other speakers, knowledgeable in both trail management and use, shared well researched and articulately spoken arguments in support of the trail. They addressed every concern voiced by those passionately against the project.

It was evident that councillors who voted against the project came to the meeting with minds firmly closed to further discussion. This was evident, even though every fear presented by those against the planned rail trail was compassionately acknowledged and clearly addressed by proponents of the trail.

I am saddened by such obvious narrow mindedness and obvious disregard for the informed wishes of many in the greater Orangeville community.

Life is a risk but yo have made fear the driving reason for your decision. I believe that well raised children require the opportunity to learn to make wise choices as they grow up to face life’s challenges and risks. We are doing our children no favours by attempting to eliminate or control every facet of life in the grown up world and to deprive them of our leadership is this learning. Walking on town sidewalks, crossing streets (even at crosswalks), riding a bicycle on town streets, skating at the arena, tobogganing on Murray’s Mountain, swimming at the pool, canoeing at Island Lake, etc., etc. all come with risk but these and so many other activities enrich our lives enormously and make living in Orangeville worthwhile and special.

It is a sad day when our elected officials ignore the benefits that a complete trail would present and instead bend to the wishes of the fearful.

Linda Patterson

Orangeville

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I attended the Council meeting on March 29th, hopeful that the outcome of the public comment and Council vote would be the commitment to move ahead with the proposed Rail Trail and Trail network for our community. I left outraged. The council chambers were overflowing. Obviously this is a very important initiative for those of us in this community who desire that Orangeville continue to improve its’ access for all to walk, wheel, bike and run on a safe trail system.

Many forward thinking communities in our Province and Country have already made this commitment.

The presentations made by Bernadette Hardaker and those in support of the project were professional and the examples of the successful trails in other communities were impressive. The presentations clearly addressed the concerns that were first stated by the group of concerned citizens standing in opposition, with facts and solutions to their concerns.

I have lived in this community for over 35 years, and own a business that promotes health and well-being. I raised my kids here, when, if kids weren’t into organized sports there was little for them to do. When the skateboard park was proposed it was faced with this same fear of “what-ifs” and a lot of opposition. It was noted at the meeting that when the project finally went ahead, the problems that were feared did not manifest, and the skateboard park project went a long way to finally give many kids a safe and healthy outlet for their energy. Living and working in town and being somewhat of an environmentalist, I would love to ride my bike to work and to shop, but do not feel safe riding along our busy, narrow streets. I, like many of my friends and neighbours, have patiently been waiting and hoping for a commitment to improve our trail system so that, at least as the town sprawls further, there is a means to get out and enjoy it and get around safely without driving a car.

I live near the railway tracks and can attest to the fact that they are already well used by many to travel along. They are an eyesore now, and far more dangerous than a properly designed, well-developed, fenced and accessible paved trail implemented along side to link the proposed trail system.

It is a travesty that the shortsighted and fearful attitude of the councilors, who voted this project down in the 11th hour, has effectively de-railed this opportunity and that the funding that was secured, will be lost. With all of the planning and volunteer hours that went into the research and grant application and visioning for the project, as was stated at the meeting by one of the project coordinators “it will be difficult to find citizens willing to commit their time and energy for these kind of initiatives when the political will is not consistent and clear from the on-set”. The fact that Council supported this initiative at the beginning, and after all this time and effort, voted it down, is almost unbelievable.

Many of my friends and colleagues who are now retiring are choosing to leave Orangeville for communities that support healthy lifestyle features such as trails and ways to get around without a vehicle. It’s a shame that this is the case.

Jennifer Grant

Orangeville

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At the March 29th special council meeting on the “Rail with Trail” issue I was tremendously disappointed when the project was voted down. The 4 to 3 vote showed how divisive this project is - and I say “is” intentionally, as I do not regard the project as dead, but only delayed. The funding will be lost, but the trail is still a part of the master plan and at some point (by a different council) I believe it will be built. I felt it was apparent that our councillors all had their minds made up before they set foot in the room that evening - for or against - and that our presentations in favour of the project fell on the deaf ears of those who were opposed. Strong evidence of the safety and viability of such a trail was given both at this meeting and previously. Those opposed presented arguments that were often far-fetched and many, if scrutinized, were largely irrelevant. I write as one with knowledge and expertise on the building, use, maintenance and value of trails - both in my profession (current and previous) and via work as a volunteer. I have extensively researched Rails with Trails and can say with all confidence that this trail section should be built.

At this meeting, Council passed a resolution to install ‘No Trespassing’ signs along that corridor and to see that this was enforced. I submit to you that if this is to be done it must be done equally and fairly. Council should authorize the installation of Town locks on every gate in fences along the corridor, for if it is illegal to trespass, then neighbours of the rail line do not have the right to trespass there either. Should an individual need to retrieve a child’s ball or other item, they can do so from either end of the corridor.

I submit as well that the corridor also be posted with ‘No Dumping’ signs, and that (if needed) a bylaw be passed to make dumping illegal along this line, and that this also be enforced. That, with the locks on the gates, should stop the neighbours of the line from dumping their yard waste and other refuse behind their fences, as is currently being done.

Even without the trail, the rail corridor must be cleaned up. These two measures (enforcing both no trespassing and no dumping) would go far to do so. Without the eyes on the area that a trail would have provided, more work will be required by our police and bylaw enforcement officers. If they do not presently have the resources for this (staff and budgeted funds), then council must also see that they do. It is not as simple as passing a resolution - the resources must be provided so that it can be implemented. Without this, the resolution is nothing but a token to placate residents, and I suspect that was the intent.

I thank Mayor Adams for his efforts to see this project approved and for keeping the presentations at this meeting on track and appropriate in content. I thank Deputy Mayor Maycock for presenting, after the vote on the project, the list of previous resolutions passed by council where they approved this project and the securing of funding for it. I thank Councillor Kocialek for speaking out in favour of the project. I thank all three of you for your ongoing efforts to support this project and the development of trails in Orangeville. Your vision, and the lack of vision on the part of the other councillors, will be remembered when we go to the polls in the fall and beyond. I know that you all take your jobs seriously and I respect and value the work that you do. But I feel so strongly that those who voted against the project made a mistake that will have significant cost to our community now and in the future. You let fear and the voices of a few drown out reason and the voices of many.

Jan Smith-Bull

Orangeville

I read the article in the this newspaper regarding the troubles at the Amaranth Transformer Substation. Three issues I have encountered repeatedly in my research believe warrant additional study.

The three issues are:

• “Electrical Pollution” a.k.a. “dirty electricity”

• Extremely Low Frequency Electro Magnetic Fields. (ELF EMF)

• Low Frequency Noise

LFN)

I am pleased that the Trans Alta Corporation is exhibiting a “good neighbour” policy. am also very appreciative of efforts undertaken to resolve these problems.

Paul Thompson

via e-mail