Dear Editor,
There sure has been a flurry of activity in recent weeks that heightens concern about the direction of Brockton Council regarding stirring renewed interruptions in the lives of citizens.
There seems from the published records to be a disconnect from aspiration and reality.
In one instance there is verification of their rapid expansions realizing an inevitable outcome of imposing additional tax burden on current taxpayers. This is exposed when the discussions of council debated proposed development charges. The reported discussions ranged broadly from $9,000.00 to $0.00. This meant that the highest number would result in no additional burden on taxpayers. Any thing less would yield a rise in property taxes (this from the staff advisor). The council seemed to end up in the mushy middle that would, oh well, increase the tax burden caused by developers.
At the same meeting or an other council meeting, council learned of the need to expand the shared municipal garbage disposal site due in large part to the increase in populations in Hanover and Brockton. It was quite unsettling when comment was passed that no one had ever witnessed such an annual increase before. Seems heads are stuck in the sand. And this council wants to add more increase costs onto taxpayers. Holy cow!
As well, it was reported that Brockton was applying to have their municipal boundary somehow expanded to develop more residential lots. Good lord! When this was read, one only needed to look out the window to witness the existing expansions overrunning a heretofore modest neighborhood, the imposition of increased traffic on the non-existent roads and the dangers caused to the children, the imposition of humongous power lines to run up to the now underserviced residential/commercial/recreational/industrial lots, and more is needed? Really!
Additionally and further adding to a rise in municipal taxes, the SVCA is seeking much needed improvements to their budgets.
And the whopper, much ado was made when the province kicked in thousands of dollars to offset increases in the police budget. Most will remember Mike Harris and the conservative government and his attempt to force local police boards to be taken over by the OPP. This became known as “Harris’s Army.” This would have been disastrous as control now would have been with the current premier with little or no say by the local citizens. This is indicative of the well known style of the Harris government of crisis management, a style continually in evidence in subsequent PC governments. But I digress. So now another additional local tax burden caused by the larger urban style surveillance.
In a Herald-Times editorial in recent months, there has been and continues to be, in Huron-Perth, efforts to develop alternative ways to serve the greater good. This effort focuses on citizens and public sector groups like the United Way developing and implementing a plan to construct housing, limiting the interference of the private sector.
Their research and illustrations reveal data that allows for fact based discussions and informed decision making. It was and is based significantly on participation of the community before and during the development. Seems to embrace the tenet that one of the main responsibilities of governments is to shield citizens from the part of the private sector that takes advantages.
On a more festive note, lots of snow for Santa!
Warmest regards and Merry Christmas.
C. Brodie Hart, Brockton
