By Shawn Lackie
Unless you have been living under a rock, you would know about the controversy created by the announcement, a new community was being considered to be built in the north end of Port Perry. This, on the heels of all the construction which has been going on non-stop for the last few years.
Quite obviously, this stirs up comments both good and bad. If you want to stop the growth you are labelled a protectionist. If you want to support the growth you are possibly called a development capitalist. Yet here's the thing, ANY kind of growth needs to be done with a long term vision and a systematic procedure.
Local government can't just sign off on the OK for development, without really looking at what the long term ramifications are. Need an example? How about a few miles south of here. Brooklin was a small village, with a very cool vibe, many years ago. Then it was discovered by developers as a great bedroom community, for Toronto, and that is what it has become.
The infrastructure couldn't support the massive growth and they have been playing catch-up, for 20 years or more, building schools and shopping areas, to try to appease the needs of the populace.
Need one more example? Take a looooong look at Barrie. Wow. That used to be a very cool spot to live and visit. Now it is nothing more than a bedroom community, for Toronto. Hey, who doesn't want to spend two hours travelling to Toronto, to go to work and another two hours back. Both times are minimum at best. In short, it has become an entirely different animal.
I am not against growth. It is a necessary part of progress and survival, and should be encouraged, but not by just blindly giving developers the go ahead to do whatever they wish. As it seems, they could care less and see it as just another sale and notch on the belt. These smarmy pamphlets with goofy names make me want to throw up. Just add an E to old and away you go, Olde Scugog.
Local council has an obligation to monitor the growth of the area. They are representing their constituents and should act accordingly. I saw this first hand in Whitby, where it grew far too quickly. Caution needs to be exercised in all growth areas. Proper studies should be done. In this particular case there are myriad ramifications for the environmental situation which can’t be overlooked.
If you want to find out more and/or voice your opinion, there will be a council meeting, on September 16th, to deal with this application. Make it a priority to attend.
Well said.
-Michael Coll