Let's start the week off with really old news
Grade separations, railway overpasses and subways have two things in common: they are expensive and disruptive, and not very popular. In both Brighton and Campbellford we have the situations of these future constructions occupying the the political arenas. In Brighton's case the railway safety project has been going on for years. The combatants fighting it out in Council chambers and open houses have been ploughing the same ground for years the only thing that changes is the cost. In Campbellford we have, the Mayor, Hector MacMillan trying to push the case for a second bridge. It was a campaign promise and as far as he is concerned it is "Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead." He is up against a pretty formidable group and has few visible supporters.
Both campaigns appear to be an exercise in political futility. For as we have seen in all Municipal confrontations the citizens lose. All the opponents of the bridge in Campbellford can hope for is that the approval process can be stretched out long enough to make it an election issue in 2010. In Brighton the Council appears to be waiting for the release of yet another study that the Council then can blame for its decision - yes or no.
But the people in Campbellford should look to history for inspiration and a similar situation in Cobourg in 1965. In that year the question of an overpass on D'Arcy St. became an election issue and the people who supported spending large sums of money were turfed. Perhaps that could be the fate of Hector if the locals up there take the long view.
Noting that Port Hope has now decided to replace a section of sidewalk on Peter St (the main thoroughfare to the Town - Hwy 2) for some peculiar reason has advertised this sidewalk as "an accessible sidewalk". Now what is the difference between an ordinary sidewalk and one that is accessible? The ramps at the curbs that's what. What municipality has been building sidewalks in the past years without making curb-cuts and ramps at the intersections? None I would suspect, it doesn't save any money and it is a stupid move. But if Port Hope wants to make itself look good in the eyes of its citizens it is a smart move by the bureaucrat in charge, but that's all it is - political spin.
If anybody stills think the OPP policing deal is such a good deal they should be looking at Brighton. In a contract renewal where officers costs cover the bulk of the contract those costs are going up 6%. As well fuel costs are increased, OPP Inspector Borton is quoted, "We're always about two years behind in the costing formula," Well you know we were promised a guarantee of the same fee for two years and many people questioned the next raise, now we can see the magnitude of that next step. read the story here
Both campaigns appear to be an exercise in political futility. For as we have seen in all Municipal confrontations the citizens lose. All the opponents of the bridge in Campbellford can hope for is that the approval process can be stretched out long enough to make it an election issue in 2010. In Brighton the Council appears to be waiting for the release of yet another study that the Council then can blame for its decision - yes or no.
But the people in Campbellford should look to history for inspiration and a similar situation in Cobourg in 1965. In that year the question of an overpass on D'Arcy St. became an election issue and the people who supported spending large sums of money were turfed. Perhaps that could be the fate of Hector if the locals up there take the long view.
Noting that Port Hope has now decided to replace a section of sidewalk on Peter St (the main thoroughfare to the Town - Hwy 2) for some peculiar reason has advertised this sidewalk as "an accessible sidewalk". Now what is the difference between an ordinary sidewalk and one that is accessible? The ramps at the curbs that's what. What municipality has been building sidewalks in the past years without making curb-cuts and ramps at the intersections? None I would suspect, it doesn't save any money and it is a stupid move. But if Port Hope wants to make itself look good in the eyes of its citizens it is a smart move by the bureaucrat in charge, but that's all it is - political spin.
If anybody stills think the OPP policing deal is such a good deal they should be looking at Brighton. In a contract renewal where officers costs cover the bulk of the contract those costs are going up 6%. As well fuel costs are increased, OPP Inspector Borton is quoted, "We're always about two years behind in the costing formula," Well you know we were promised a guarantee of the same fee for two years and many people questioned the next raise, now we can see the magnitude of that next step. read the story here
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