"Victoria Glen" via Bob Jonkman in Google Reader

i think we should hold a rally before the meeting ...

2009-11-09T03:31:11Z

i think we should hold a rally before the meeting outside city hall. it'll make the issue more visible and force councilors to talk to the people one on one before they can enter the building.

6:00? bring friends, family, signs/banners/buttons?

Keep on the pressure: Preserve ALL of Victoria Glen Park

2009-11-07T21:57:00Z

Let's just hope so! (Remember: we can't let up yet!)

2009-11-06T19:20:00Z

"Still on life support, it’s just a matter of time before the
Victoria Glen project comes to the end of the line."

(This is the "View From Here" cartoon in this week's Woolwich Observer. Please come out to Tuesdays council meeting, where the final vote on this project will happen -- November 10, 7 pm -- to show that we really, really are serious that it is totally absurd to even consider developing ANY of Victoria Glen Park.)

Excellent summation-- we must have been at the sam...

2009-11-06T03:30:01Z

Excellent summation-- we must have been at the same meeting.

I thought the water table hydrology report that Susan Bryant presented at the June meeting was serious enough, but Professor Petrone's talk on November 3 certainly brought home the point that building on a slope is bad enough, but a slope above an important creek could very easily prove fatal to the creek. Because it is such a small ecosystem already, it certainly sounds dangerous to do major construction on any part of the Victoria Glen lands.

Kudos to Murray Martin for admitting that he needs additional information since the hydrology info was new to him. And of course I understand his desire not to rely on the expert advice of a stakeholder. That's good public stewardship.

Since they passed Councillor Bauman's motion to proceed with the studies required to answer all the unanswered questions, it's pretty clear that the most important study to do first would be the hydrology study. I don't know enough about it to know what would be required for a study like that, or if it could even be done before the meeting next week when they are expected to vote on whether to proceed with studies needed before any development of Victoria Glen could proceed.

Fortunately both Council and residents are agreed that damaging the creek is not an option for the community.

Portion of Victoria Glen to be preserved (Elmira Independent)

2009-11-05T20:32:59Z

Woolwich councillors have voted to preserve a portion of Victoria Glen Park, and wish to have it declared open space. However, they are still willing to investigate development options for two remaining parcels of township-owned land in the natural area.

Half a victory - Push is on to save ALL Victoria Glen Park from development

2009-11-04T18:33:00Z

We spent more than three hours last night at the Woolwich Township Council "Committee of the Whole" meeting to act on the staff recommendations to develop Victoria Glen Park woodlands.

Six people spoke who had registered ahead of time and at least that many came forward when the floor was opened to whoever wanted to speak. Presentations ranged from a thorough and technical hydrogeologic analysis rejecting the wisdom of the project to the high school student who had started the "THEY'RE TEARING DOWN ELMIRA'S FOREST ANYWAY! STOP THEM!!" Facebook Group which had attracted, by the time of the meeting, more than 800 very vocal members. (As I write this, the membership is up to 909 members.)

Staff members clarified and defended their information and processes.

Council members attempted to indicate where their sympathies lay on the issue.

It was a passionate and confusing meeting all around.

The high point: When councillor Ruby Weber spoke about how her first introduction to Victoria Glen Park was on a bus trip organized by township staff a few years ago to look at possible surplus lands (in late fall, post-leaves) and she had thought it looked just like "scrub bush"; then, this summer, she actually came down and walked the trail across the top of the woods "one end to the other," she said, "many times." And she was struck by what she called the "magic" of our woods and finally understood what our fight was all about.

The low point: Being lectured on how democracy and balanced planning operate by township staff -- as though we don't already KNOW these things as we have chosen to actively participate in the democratic process, providing that public input governments seem to always be so desperate for.

Some interesting points:
Sandra Shantz's observation that, if we save and re-zone ALL of the Victoria Glen Park woodlands, that would be roughly equal in acreage to Southwoods Park on the south edge of town; Gibson Park in the centre of town; and would provide an equivalent access to wooded park for people living on the north edge of town.

Murray Martin's observation that an undisclosed number of unidentified people at an unidentified "function" have indicated that the minority "special interest" group such as the hundreds of people present at the meeting (and the thousands who have signed petitions) need to bow to the majority wishes, and that they support this development.

The detail that, once Parcel 1 (north of the top trail) is taken out of the equation, the net profit to the township would be in the neighbourhood of $386,000 rather than the $1.4-1.9 million that had been estimated as profit for the whole project. (The profit for the remaining parcels would be so much lower because it would still COST @$1.4 million to develop that section).

The strange point - was it a low point or just a very confusing plateau?: Trying to make sense of the "compromise" motion on the floor that proposed that the complete staff recommendations go ahead with the exception of excluding Parcel 1 from the process (this would still involve a lot of costly staff and consultant work). The confusion came with Mark Bauman's contention, as maker of the motion, that all he really wanted was township staff to spend "a little time" working on the negotiations with the Region to purchase the parcel next to Parcel 2, which is the only way any development would be practical.

The motion passed: the three (male) non-Elmira councillors voted for it; the two (female) Elmira councillors voted against it, being very clear that they supported preserving ALL of the "subject lands".

The last points:
Mayor Strauss charged township staff with bringing back as much of the information that Councillor Bauman requested as they could to the November 10th meeting, next week, where the decision would be ratified.

It is clear, so far at least, that the intention of the whole council at this point is to initiate the process to re-zone the Victoria Glen Park woods NORTH of the top trail as parkland.

We left in a strange mix of euphoria at having saved half the woods, confusion over what was really happening with the compromise motion that was put forth, and determination to use this week to somehow ensure that next week's final vote, instead, begins the process to re-zone ALL of Victoria Glen Park as permanent parkland, accessible to all the public as that "magical" natural space we so treasure.

The next point: Next week's Tuesday meeting (November 10 at 7 pm) will include a final vote to ratify the compromise motion passed this evening. Or not. Delegations (speakers) are once again welcome (register by Thursday afternoon if you can) and we encourage EVERYONE to come out once again and bring our presence to bear on the decision-making process.

Thanks: to everyone who came out to the meeting, wrote and phoned and emailed the township councillors, spread the news of what was happening, spoke at the meeting last night, spoke to the media, etc., etc., etc. You are legion!

(And 1300 petition signatures + 900 people joining the Facebook protest group = at least 2000 people, 20% of Elmira's current population! A pretty good-sized sample of what very likely would turn out to be a majority if this were to be brought to a referendum!)

[Special thanks to Laurie Jonkman for our wonderful new logo, above right, and for providing stickers of that logo to all the supporters of Victoria Glen Park at last night's council meeting.]

Tonight’s the Night!

2009-11-03T20:17:53Z

Victoria Glen Slogan

6:00 PM at the New Woolwich Town Hall
Woolwich Council will be meeting to decide the fate of Victoria Glen Park tonight.

COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.

For more information see http://preservevictoriaglenpark.blogspot.com/

Some residents will be making presentations to Council to again explain why Victoria Glen Park needs to be preserved.

At the end of the formal submissions the floor will be opened to rgose in the audience wishing to speak.

You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, but just coming out to show your support will let Council know that it is not just a special interest group.

Victoria Glen Park belongs to us.

Laurel L. Russwurm on Open Discussion: Victoria Glen

2009-11-03T15:57:46Z

The report prepared by Woolwich Council is a pretty clear indication that the Council which is supposed to represent us doesn't seem to be listening to either the many very good arguments or the very strong feelings of citizens to keep this Forest as a community asset. They want to bulldoze it and create a development so they can use the money to pay for the new Rec Center. If you have strong feelings about Victoria Glen, don't stay home and be sad that they aren't listening, come to the meeting because we need to show Council that thei isn't a mere neighborhood special interest issue. Victoria Glen Park belongs to the whole community. That means all of the the citizens of Woolwich Township. It is an asset that should not be sold without the full consent of the owners-- which means US. Maybe what we REALLY need is a referendum. If you know the area, the trail or the park, or if you care about the environment, come out to the meeting at 6:00pm Tuesday November 3rd. The only thing that might save this lovely little forest is to have a really big turnout. Because even if they don't listen to our words, they will notice if there are enough of us. Forget the fact that Victoria Glen Park was purchased to be a park (of the forest variety) and has been used only for that purpose to the advantage of the town for over a hundred years. Removing it will remove 50% of the public forest in the Elmira Settlement area. Since it is adjacent to the Kissing Bridge Trail it adds to the whole Woolwich Trails experience. Forget the fact that it is one of only 3 safe habitats for all of the wildlife that's being displaced by a building boom including the former fairgrounds and a few farms being turned into subdivisions. Even if you aren't keen on wildlife, isn't it a good idea to have a nice place for skinks to nest that isn't under your shed? Forget the fact that the houses nearby, which are farther from the flood plain have flooding issues already, but the earth moving that would need to be done will make those problems worse because it will compromise the natural drainage and filtration offered by Larch creek. It is clear that they can't build even one house without fouling the whole forest/wetland. The end result will be houses with even worse water problems, for which the Township will be responsible. Forget the fact that the current glut of housing and housing starts that have been put on hold only because we're still in the grip of the current rotten economy means that money made by developming this will be minimal if not an actual loss. Forget the fact that when all the houses in all of the subdivisions currently being built will result in twice as many families wanting to be able to take a walk in the woods, Woolwich Township will have to spend much more money than they can possibly make selling this land to buy some replacement empty stretch of land most likely devoid of trees... and even then it will take a hundred years to grow it into a forest. I don't live in the Victoria Glen neighborhood, it is actually a bit of a hike to get to the Forest. But it's important that it IS there. It's much wilder than Gibson, which I also love. My family moved here from Brampton because (as anyone who has lived in a place where development has been allowed to run rampant knows) "greenspace" consisting of a ribbon of grass surrounding a sidewalk flanked by the occasional spindly trees surrounded by litter does not cut it. If it was enough I would still live there where there is effective public transit and movie theatres. The reason people move to towns like this, filling up the houses in the subdivisions, and are willing to put up with an increasingly killer commute is because we want more. Silly me... I wanted to be able to raise a family where I would be able to walk to the grocery store or to the forest. One down. If the municipal government is in the development business maybe they shouldn't be in the government business. Isn't this a HUGE conflict of Interest?

Tomorrow's the day: Spread the word and be there!

2009-11-02T20:20:00Z

The council meeting to consider the staff recommendation to "surplus" 62% of the Victoria Glen Park forest for residential development is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3rd at 6 pm in the township hall on Church Street in Elmira.

talk to all your neighbours and friends and children. Tell them about the proposal and urge them to come to the council meeting.
read the report (link is over to the right on this page) so you know how weak and how greedy this proposal is
come to the meeting - the more people we have there showing that there is HUGE outrage about this issue, the better
contact the Woolwich mayor and councillors and let them know your opposition to development (there's a link, in the right column, to their contact emails and phone numbers)

(By the way, the Facebook group, "THEY'RE TEARING DOWN ELMIRA'S FOREST ANYWAY! STOP THEM!!," now has 705 members.)

Remember: the meeting is at 6 this Tuesday!

Kids get right to the point: 533+ Facebook page members

2009-10-31T20:50:00Z

Well, last June, when all this absurdity finally became public, I put together a Facebook page called "Save Elmira's Victoria Glen Park" the same time I started this blog. There are 54 members of that group, with some polite reminiscences by people who had grown up nearby.

I guess I'm old and not near forceful enough: one of the high school students who lives on the east side of the Victoria Glen Park forest started another Facebook page this week, this one called "THEY'RE TEARING DOWN ELMIRA'S FOREST ANYWAY! STOP THEM!!"

He's already got 533 members and has had a pretty passionate online discussion going since last Tuesday - with lots of posts expressing young people's appreciation and valuing of the woods.

Go visit if you can!
Sounds like more than a few of them plan to come to the meeting too.
Good!

(Sample discussion posts:

"that land is full of animals and walking trails. in the swinter you can skate on the creek. you can take a friend on date to the big white rock or watch the fish eat bugs. please dont take this from us."

"I talk to these guys and they're most courteous about listening. The trees, that is, not the people tearing them down."

"Nooo not the forest too many memories")

New sets of photographs

2009-10-31T18:13:00Z

I just added links (over in the right margin - scroll down to the "Links" section) to three new sets of photographs. The October photos I took this past week, walking through the woods. The September picnic ones are by Laurie Jonkman, and the July "It's not easy being green" blog entry, full of photographs, is from the "In the Wind" blog by Laurel Russwurm.

I thought those of you who know the woods would enjoy these and appreciate the reminder of what we're fighting for. And those visitors, just stopping by to check us out, can see that this isn't just a bit of fairly new plantation woods, but a precious natural space loved by many.

(The photo at the top of this post is from Laurie's photos from the September picnic. It really is too bad none of the township councillors who were invited to join us could attend - it was a beautiful day in the woods.)

Elmira Newspapers: "it is our hope that Woolwich councillors will do what is right, not what can be justified"

2009-10-30T21:33:00Z

Both Elmira newspapers -- the Elmira Independent and the Woolwich Observer -- feature both news stories and editorials relating to the fight over the fate of Victoria Glen Park and the upcoming Tuesday council meeting (at 6 at the Woolwich Township Hall).

The stories are clear on the issues and on the passion of Elmira and area citizens on the unacceptability of developing one of the few remaining pieces of real natural space in the town of Elmira.

The editorials, while giving a nod to the difficult position staff was in preparing the report, recognize that council can still act in wisdom and on the wishes of the citizens they were elected to represent and decline the recommendations for development.

The Independent editor writes that, if they do decide to reject development, it's true they'll have to find another way to pay for the capital expenditures, "Yet, that seems like a small price to pay in exchange for keeping something that cannot ever be replaced, once it is gone."

And the Observer observes that "If councillors are tuned in to the public sentiment, the proposal is dead in the water, but governments aren’t always responsive to community demands."

Here are the links:
"Staff report supports development of park" (Independent news story)
"Victoria Glen Park must be preserved" (Independent editorial)
"Showdown looms over Victoria Glen development plan" (Observer news story)
"Park debate shape of things to come" (Observer editorial)

The Observer cartoon, "The View From Here", reproduced above, has the caption: "The ax-or-tax dilemma: Victoria Glen supporters face $1.5-million “treat: or a level-the-park “trick.”" Note the lumberjack's nametag - and his "Tricks for you, treats for me" balloon. Sounds about right to me.

2009-10-28T21:48:00Z

Decisions on Victoria Glen Park due at BOTH council meetings: BE THERE

2009-10-28T21:37:00Z

I received an email today from Laurel Davies-Snyder, Woolwich Township Economic Development & Tourism Officer and author of the report recommending development in the Victoria Glen Park woods.

She clarified that there would actually be decisions made BOTH on November 3rd and November 10th:
"I was reviewing the Victoria Glen blog and noticed that it states that only discussion will take place on November 3rd, and the vote will take place on November 10th. This is not accurate and I wanted to make sure that you had the correct information prior to the November 3rd, 2009 meeting, as follows:
* At this point there may be votes on November 3rd, 2009 (Committee of the Whole voting on the recommendations to bring the decisions forward to Council) AND on November 10th, 2009 (Council voting on Committee of the Whole recommendations)."

This is important to know -- as well as the fact that the public is welcome to both meetings (and, in each case, delegations must register by the Thursday before the meeting - which is tomorrow -- the 29th of October -- for the first meeting).

We need to see you there to bring a very, very clear response to the report that is being presented to Council: there is not enough fact or moral rationale presented to justify destroying any of that woods for development when hundreds and hundreds of residential lots have already been approved just west of town.

And paying for the already-built hockey rink by destroying just as valuable a resource for "healthy community" living -- another supposed township "priority" -- is NOT representing the "spirit of hockeyville" the council endorsed last year.

Victoria Glen Park must be preserved - Elmira Independent

2009-10-28T15:35:38Z

Victoria Glen Park must be preserved
Elmira Independent
Anyone who has ever wandered through Victoria Glen Park must be having a difficult time these days. The park, which has been part of the Elmira community ...

Cheryl Fisher on Open Discussion: Victoria Glen

2009-10-28T15:25:25Z

Staff report for Victoria Glen Park has come out, and their recommendation remains the same. Remove a substantial amount of the bush (57% to be exact) for subdivisions. To clarify some incorrect information from the Township report. Township staff continues to use the 20% of total area to explain that they are really not taking away that much of the area. The area of concern and what residents are fighting to preserve is the wooded lot that is used extensively by many residents from all over the Township. 57% of the wooded lot area must be removed to make room for the recommended subdivision. Anyone travelling in the park can clearly see how the majority of the bush will be removed. There are so many issues yet that have not been clearly dealt with in the report. Flood plain, GRCA input, etc.. We have not heard one person come forward to speak in favour of the project.

Please come out on Nov 3 at 6p.m. to show council that they cannot have community used green space and/or parkland to pay for capital expenditures. This has been a park since 1914 and is well used by the community.

Council members----listen to the people of the Township!

Victoria Glen Park must be preserved (Elmira Independent)

2009-10-28T15:31:52Z

Anyone who has ever wandered through Victoria Glen Park must be having a difficult time these days. The park, which has been part of the Elmira community for more than 100 years, may soon be forever changed.

Victoria Glen Park Picnic: A good time was had by all

2009-10-26T03:07:05Z

Picnic #21

Picnic #22

Picnic #23

Picnic #24

Picnic #25

Picnic #26

Picnic #27

Picnic #28

Picnic #29

Picnic #30

How could the local politicians possibly justify destroying this green space and natural habitat?

For more information on how you can help preserve Victoria Glen Park visit: http://preservevictoriaglenpark.blogspot.com/

More about Victoria Glen Park and why it should be preserved:
Macro Vision
It’s Not Easy Being Green

Community: Victoria Glen Park Picnic brings out residents

2009-10-26T02:52:58Z

Picnic #11

Picnic #12

Picnic #13

Picnic #14

Picnic #15

Picnic #16

Picnic #17

Picnic #18

Picnic #19

Picnic #20

For more information on how you can help preserve Victoria Glen Park visit: http://preservevictoriaglenpark.blogspot.com/

More about Victoria Glen Park and why it should be preserved:
Macro Vision
It’s Not Easy Being Green

Let the Victoria Glen Park Picnic begin!

2009-10-26T02:25:53Z

Picnic #1

Picnic #2

Picnic #3

Picnic #4

Picnic #5

Picnic #6

Picnic #7

Picnic #8

Picnic #9

Picnic #10

For more information on how you can help preserve Victoria Glen Park visit: http://preservevictoriaglenpark.blogspot.com/

More about Victoria Glen Park and why it should be preserved:
Macro Vision
It’s Not Easy Being Green