[All] Fw: letter to the editor

[Jan Liggett]

Suzanne Tebbutt has taken on a leadership role in the NPA which does not weigh the environment at the same level as it did when Connie Cody started it.


This was written by Suzanne Tebbutt's husband in response to Connie Cody's husband's letter. See below. Connie is no longer in the NPA. 

http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion-story/4505341-development-is-not-the-evil-it-is-painted-as/

May 07, 2014 
Development is not the evil it is painted as
Cambridge Times 
Re: Letter to the Editor titled Now is the time to end this destruction, published on May 6. 
Mr. Cody uses the trope of a quiet weekend drive to criticize the approval of the Cambridge West MESP, but his emotional and illogical approach to the issue at hand is already 15 minutes past empty. 
The development on the west side of Cambridge will not usher in an environmental apocalypse as Cody contends. He believes that “not much could survive the digging, plowing, noise and multiple trucks going through the area”. 
Cody makes it appear that a whole battalion of armoured development vehicles will be setting up for a war with the chipmunks, cranes and raccoons. 
Based on my reading and study, the Cambridge West MESP is not “menacing”.  It will not cause “devastation”. No one will be carpet bombing the area with Agent Orange to make room for an armageddon development. 
Indeed, equating development with destruction is a tired and overly weary analogy best put to rest. 
“Complete annihilation” is not taking place. 
Cody would have us believe that there is some kind of conspiracy taking place whereby elected government officials, engineers, environmental experts and grey aliens, out of work after the X-files stopped filming, will be gleefully cutting a path through Barrie’s Lake to allow the four horsemen of the apocalypse a free place to gallop and gather turtles. 
Since time immemorial, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, mudslides, tsunamis, ice storms, and great white sharks have been indifferent to the existence of humans. 
The notion that nature is a benevolent mother that takes care of us is an hallucination from the 1960s. 
Nature is not benevolent. As the Slovenian theorist Zizek argues, “nature as a harmonious, organic, balanced, reproducing, almost living organism, which is then disturbed, perturbed, derailed through human hubris, technological exploitation and so on, is, I think, a secular version of the religious story of the fall.” 
In short, ecology has become a new fundamentalism and like all fundamentalisms, it speaks in an apocalyptic tone that is out of touch with reality. 
While the Cambridge West MESP is not perfect, it does include a balanced approach to development. For readers interested in a thorough and detailed understanding of what is taking place, the West Galt Neighborhood Protection Association can provide further details. 
Cody wants to be a “voice” to protect the environment. Yet, he tells us that he drove his car to “enjoy the sights” from Cambridge to Kitchener and back again. 
Clearly, he is unaware of his own role in contributing to the very thing he says he is against. This gives us pause for concern. 
Mark Zlomislic 
Cambridge 

May 05, 2014 | Vote 0   0 
Now is the time to end this destruction
Cambridge Times 
This past weekend was so nice, we decided to take a drive and enjoy sights. But what we came across was more scary than enjoyable.  
Out of curiosity, we went to check out what was happening in the Limerick Drive area. Forests have been completely chopped down in preparation for development.  
Then, on our way to Kitchener, we travelled down Fisher Hallman. The lands being developed are completely plowed through with not one rock left unturned. 
Instead of using natural vegetation as noise barriers, brick walls are erected. 
Instead of development being built around current natural areas, they are destroyed. 
It brings to mind what will be happening to our Cambridge west side, in an area that is recognized as a protected wetland and watershed. 
Wetlands are the world’s best ecosystem and one-third of Canada’s species at risk are dependent on them.  
We are home to several species at risk right here in west Cambridge. Approval of the storm water plans by Cambridge West MESP will be a menace to our rare plants and  local species at risk and their nesting areas.  
Not much could survive the digging, plowing, noises and multiple trucks going through the area. 
The proposed realignment of the roads, as well as new roads, will cause devastation.  
Wetlands are an important natural resource and we require them for many reasons. 
The current method of development will mean destruction, and once lost, restoring it will be costly or impossible. The only thing that can be done to protect this important natural area and species at risk is to prevent this from happening in the first place.  
We need to stop further contamination, not allow it to continue. 
Building homes in a wetland will mean unknowing owners will be buying into a costly hobby.  Wetlands purify polluted waters and harbour wildlife but are terrible places to build homes. 
Homeowners will be fighting that water forever. 
It is documented in other areas that when wetlands have been “urbanized” the water will seep into the new homes or redirected to formerly dry homes of downstream property owners. 
The Cambridge West development means more than just increased traffic issues. It could be complete annihilation to species at risk and permanent harm to our wetlands. 
There is a lot being said about the tax revenue that new development brings.  
But what about the expenses and costs for maintenance and repairs?  
If revenue is not enough to cover the expenses, then it will mean even more tax increases at a time when residents are already feeling hit hard by tax increases and costs of living. 
Now is the time to be the “voice” to protect our environment. 
W. Cody 
Cambridge
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