In less than a week we will have elected new Councils across our region and indeed across the Province to lead our municipalities over the next four years.
Four those of us living in Collingwood that have attended candidates meetings and followed the electoral process, the issue of the Town's debt and downtown patios have been the most contentious issues. Some incumbents that voted in favour of moving the patios to the curb and tried to justify their decision at the meetings were literally booed. Virtually everyone that was running agreed to either re-visit the matter if elected or to just move forward in having this ridiculous by-law repealed outright.
Thousands of dollars of taxpayer's money have been squandered debating this frivolous issue for which the correct decision is one based on practicality and liability. This matter deserved no more than an hour, not months of Council's consideration after staff reports outlining the pros and cons had been heard, and it will clearly cost some incumbents their positions next week. One candidate's website shows before and after photos of the downtown core with patios against the buildings then moved to the curb, the after photo showing nice wide sidewalks with no people! It's incredible that this would be seen as an improvement.
Last week's Collingwood Connection reported that Sean Cripps the owner of Duncan's Cafe has been charged not once but twice with having an "illegal" patio. It's blatently obvious the decision to move the patios was wrong and the candidates running for Council heard this again and again during the course of this campaign. Despite promises to revisit the matter if not to repeal this by-law altogether and with some candidates making promises such as "Now is the time to be open for business once again" somebody needs to step in and call off the dogs! I think I speak for many in asking will someone please stop the madness!
Please take a moment to complete my online poll. Given the circumstances with a repeal of the by-law potentially going to happen do you think it is appropriate to be laying these charges?
2 comments:
WELL SAID RICK! THE PATIO ISSUE IS SILLY! BUT IF KATHY JEFFERY, SANDBERG, MCNOBB, CHRISTIE, LABELLE AND FOLEY WONTT LISTEN TO US NOW, WOULD THEY LISTEN TO US AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION. THOUSANDS WANT THE PATIOS BACK!
SEAN
Point well made. Had this issue arisen at the start of the term, it probably would not have had legs in the campaign. But it was, for many, the proverbial straw on the already burdened backs of the electorate and so took on a life of its own.
I have made a notice of motion to withdraw the charges already. But the bylaw won't be repealled - it's got too many components in it to throw out - instead it will be amended (the patio and likely other sections).
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