To the editor,
Happy 2024!
I have been wanting to respond to your clarion call to become more mindful and more engaged with the goings-on of Brockton municipal council, so here goes.
Earlier last year, an email was sent to the councillors asking them to slow down the rush to continue to rapidly change the land and mindscape in Brockton. This was requested in order for the citizens of Brockton living in the former Municipality of Walkerton, to not remain complacent.
For example, tenets of good government include protection from greed and avarice, do no harm and leave things in a better state. Mature councils of bygone times have understood the merits of not expressing any allegiance to political parties. It seems that the current council embraced the MO… undertaking by the Ford government, accessed their process and moved ahead, apparently not heeding many warnings.
By following the guidelines set by the Ford government, council seems to have hitched our wagon to the Ford government. How else would a council ever consent to the construction of monolithic edifices overlooking the valley and drowning out the “lookout?” This scar, above the Rotary Park, will be an everlasting reminder of what can be forever destroyed having acted in haste. This hastily-concocted implementation prompted council to muse that a lobbyist should be hired to represent Brockton to the federal government to access their Housing Accelerator Funds. Oh my!
Further, it seems missed opportunities abound. For example, my memory from an earlier survey about community enhancement suggested relocation of industries to industrial park(s), thereby paving the way for vacated properties to be used for residential purposes. When taking into account the potential chaos to occur during the bridge replacement, seems time and treasury of the council could provide resources to mitigate upsets.
Additionally, giving up a joint undertaking, the airport, for what was reported to be $15,000 net after rebates, seems short sighted. For what, more urban sprawl?
Just a point of view.
C. Brodie Hart
Brockton
