BOTTOM LINE – I’ll work with Council to:
– Protect and grow our valuable non-renewable assets that are so valued by our communities and lifestyle.
- Monitor and protect the interests of Pottageville and area against the effects of the high pressure natural gas pipeline proposed to fuel the Holland Marsh peaker plant (if this comes to pass).
- Lead an effort to protect the “old” Schomberg Arena from planned sale, and promote its most valuable alternate uses.
– Ensure King’s Artistic Assets receive special protection and encouragement where possible.
King and Ward 4 are abundant in these assets and yet, even with supposed legal protections, our communities are under threat from a number of factors including urban growth, insensitive developers, defective planning and ecological stress.
We have a number of tools designed to help us in our goal of preserving these rich assets, including the York Region and King Township Official Plans and Bylaws, the Provincial Policy Statement on natural heritage protection, the Green Belt and Moraine legislation, plus our community plans (if you happen to be from King City, Nobleton or Schomberg).
In the last few years I worked with several of my neighbours to address multiple integration and natural preservation issues with an ongoing Schomberg residential development.
I can tell you that none of these tools do any good unless you have a supportive and motivated Council on your side.
We were forced to take our issues, at our own considerable expense, to the Ontario Municipal Board where we succeeded in having our most immediate issues with the development addressed.
I strongly believe that a focused, effective and unified Council would have improved upon the developer’s plans to the benefit of all parties involved (including the developer).
OTHER PRESERVATION ISSUES:
Peaker Plant in Holland Marsh:
Similarly, I strongly believe that Council should have shown true leadership with strongly worded opposition to the Ontario Power Authority early in the process.
Instead, we followed the lead of other municipalities who were far more local. OPA and other proponents viewed King as the path of least resistance – and now we are fighting after-the-fact.
The Domino Effect: Gas Pipeline from Pottageville:
If King has no alternative but to be the unwilling recipient of this plant, on April 5th the OMB “gave leave” (approved in principle) the underground high pressure natural gas pipeline from Pottageville to fuel the York Energy Centre site. Work must commence prior to December 31st.
There are environmental and community safety issues at hand here, and I am not convinced they have been adequately addressed. This line is planned for close proximity to Kettleby Public School, Kettleby Co-Op Nursery School and Ansnorveldt Christian School. In Alberta, high pressure lines must be set back at least one mile from country schools.
The “Old” Schomberg Arena:
Council plans to liquidate the old Arena to help cover the Township’s new arena and curling facility’s debt.
This is no joke: Parks, Recreation & Culture Department Report PR-2010-06, page 34 specifically identifies the old arena as contributing an estimated cost of $1,385,000 toward the $4.7 million of King Township Costs contribution to the new facility.
Once sold, will it then be demolished, lands rezoned for residential infill intensification? Would this disrupt usage of the Schomberg Fairgrounds? Were the needs and desires of our community ever addressed?
This is part of the untold story of the “new” arena.
This historic building should escape the wrecker’s ball and be reserved for another community purpose, whether it be a farmers’ market, arts and cultural centre, multi-use retail & commercial use, indoor soccer or museum — the possibilities are numerous.
The old arena should NOT be used as a sacrifice for funding the “new” arena complex or overall Township debt at a time when the Township has no financial reserves to absorb it.
What do YOU think? I talk more about this issue in more depth in STIMULATE: Economic Development.
WHAT ARE ARTISTIC ASSETS?
Art installations, like heritage assets themselves, are worthy of preservation. They are finite, they tell a story, they make us feel and think, and most importantly, they enhance our experience of living and being in King.
Council’s decision to preserve Richard Serra’s SHIFT sculpture in King City was the right decision to make.
Some King residents don’t see SHIFT as “art” – this is not the issue. The fact is, SHIFT is one of Serra’s earlier public works. He made a simple, elegant statement with his multiple concrete “shifting” panels in that large open field. It is lovely. And it is historical work along Serra’s successful path. Look at his recent $1.5 million Tilted Spheres installation at Pearson Terminal 1 and you’ll see what I mean.
There is something else I mean by “Artistic Assets”. It overlaps Economic Development, Managing Growth, and Preservation:
Artistic Assets include the sum of all
arts-related residents living and working in King.
King benefits from having one of the largest per capita number of artists in Ontario, and also, one of the highest rates of growth (source: Ontario Arts Council). We are blessed with rich citizenry! Full of life, energy, perspective, and joy – and I am one of them. We are an asset of our communities – and we will further enrich the economic and growth prospects for King if we can protect and enhance our artistry.
In a world of mass-marketing, brands, labels, knock-offs and copies, we have the “original” in King, and as your Councillor I will work to protect and grow our Artistic Assets.
Arts are a significant addition to our way of life and enjoyment in King.
I know I won’t be alone on Council in strengthening our tools in preserving and growing our Natural, Heritage and Artistic Assets, unifying Council on issues of this importance.
