Dear editor:
In light of the myriad of issues surrounding our present town council, and the disturbing trend to withhold information as The Lake Report has reported, I am once again compelled to comment via a letter to the editor.
One would think that after eight decades, I should probably relax, sit back, watch the world unfold, and chill out. However, when something is wrong, you must speak up. Silence breeds complicity.
It was amazing to see this common thread throughout the letters to the editor last week. I would encourage other residents to speak up.
Over the years, I have been involved in town affairs through my employment with Parks Canada, chairman of the parks and recreation committee, the tree advisory committee, and president of the Chautauqua Residents Association.
All of those interactions with town council and staff over a period of 30 years were generally respectful and courteous. However, things appear to have changed under the current administration.
The recent issue with Ryerson Park and the concerns I have, motivated me to ask some questions and make comments from a resident’s point of view. I emailed the lord mayor and all of town council. Four council members responded to me with respectful and dignified responses, and thanking me for my input.
However, in contrast, the same cannot be said for the lord mayor. What I received was a curt and condescending one-liner.
Another example of this behavior (which I personally witnessed), occurred at the committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, when the lord mayor was chastised for his flippant and off-handed remark about the discussion surrounding Ryerson Park as being “hysterical.”
Ironically, in a social media post recently (as reported by The Lake Report), he was advocating for respectful treatment of town staff and council.
I would suggest that all of the controversy engulfing this council since its’ inauguration, will pale in comparison to picking a fight with the free press and the media.
This council ran on a platform of transparency and listening to the wishes of the community. Yes, they sure did.
I for one, am extremely excited about the proliferation of mega commercial developments that threaten to suffocate this beautiful historical town.
Have any of you attempted to access and navigate the insane traffic situation at Shoppers, Foodland, the Niagara Health Office or Life Labs?
Imagine the traffic chaos once Clayfield Commons is open for business. It boggles the mind.
If I may, I would like to give this council one small piece of advice: listen to your electorate and respond accordingly with respect and civility. In the meantime, I want to thank The Lake Report for keeping us as residents informed and aware.
Buddy Andres
NOTL
