Dear editor:

The official plan for Niagara-on-the-Lake is the document that determines the framework for how land is used, as well as growth and development in the entire town (five communities).

A great deal of effort went into the creation of the plan when it was created, so why is it not followed? We have lost count as to how many amendments there have been within the official plan, but almost every development has been granted amendments. Why? How is that justified?

How many subdivisions have been planned and built in St. Davids in the last 15 years or so? Ten? Fifteen? More!

Has the infrastructure that has to carry the drainage — storm drains (for roofs, driveways and sidewalks and streets) and waste (sanitary sewers) — kept pace with the developments? How could they?

After numerous new subdivisions have been constructed, the water/sewer flow that the existing pipes have to take somewhere is inadequate.

Were new underground pipes installed in all these subdivisions? Yes. But then where do those pipes empty? Into the existing piping that was never sized for all the hundreds of new homes.

No one had a clue when the infrastructure was installed decades ago that there would be such expansion.

As it stands right now, there is not adequate dispersal of rainwater and sewage. That is evident in all the flooding that took place in both storm and sewage systems this year.

Most of these new developments were created without proper planning. Who and where are all the professionals and experts?

We suggest that we need a lord mayor (who essentially is the top dog in the town) who can work with council and staff, control the developments by pausing them until all aspects of the project are thoroughly reviewed by staff who understand the ramifications and impact on the chosen location.

We need to have confidence in the staff who are reviewing new applications, both residential and certainly commercial.

Many, many costly mistakes have been made over the years and folks are getting tired of it!

We need leadership that listens to what the citizens are asking for and need.

The lord mayor needs to encourage the implementation of the majority of what the citizens feel is necessary.

Make sure you have read all the information provided to you regarding the candidates for lord mayor as well as for council and decide who you feel would be the best at listening and implementation.

David Scott
Queenston