Response: Niagara’s concerns over Bill 23 worse than ‘NIMBYism’, November 14 The developers are laughing at us. We think we have some control over how our environment is used, but in reality they all do. Locally, we have zoning laws that we believe prevent development in sensitive areas. Developers simply apply for a zone change and voila! it’s far away. Provincially we have ‘protected’ areas within the Greenbelt, but a word to their friend Doug Ford, and large chunks of the Greenbelt are handed over to them to destroy. We know we can’t eat concrete and money, but with the huge donations flowing into the coffers of the Progressive Conservative Party, there is little chance we can preserve these precious farmlands and wetlands. Yes, the developers are laughing at us. Change is necessary in municipal governance Re: Attack on democracy, Letters, November 17 While I can appreciate why the reader feels that the government is abusing their democratic rights and responsibilities, the electorate of Niagara has never had the opportunity to choose the regional chair, which I consider a gross injustice. The politicians in the Niagara Region have had over 50 years to look at the governance structure and have done nothing about it. Regional Com. St. Catharines. Laura Ip’s proposal to review the governance of a citizens’ group and an elected regional presidency was rejected by these same politicians. Even when Premier Doug Ford noted that Niagara has too many politicians, as well as offering $143 million in funding to facilitate change and let local politicians make changes, those same local politicians did nothing. While I don’t necessarily agree with the automatic appointment of Coun. Jim Bradley as regional president (a career politician who never took the concept of governance changes seriously) I think readers should be disappointed with the 50+ years of inaction of the 126 municipal politicians across Niagara. The only way change was going to be facilitated was for the province to step in and that is what is happening. I’m glad to see that a review will take place and it looks like there are changes. It was about time. Jail time required for repeat offenders Answer: Driver hit and killed 95-year-old woman to learn fate, November 15 It seems to me that some young people will not learn. How can John Gawronski be sentenced to be put behind bars? Why didn’t he stop? It’s time young drivers should be jailed for reoffending. Past history is disgusting. Letters welcome We welcome letters from our readers. Send them to [email protected] or mail to PO Box 5031 Stn Main, St. Catharines, Ont., L2R 7T4. Letters should be 250 words or less and may be edited for length and clarity. Please include your name, address and phone number for verification purposes. SHARE:
