[All] letter to the editor on Cambridge west dvlt

[Eleanor Grant]

Note that there are 8 comments (3 are one long one) and they all tear a
strip off the letter-writer and support Mr Cody's original letter.  Good
News.

Eleanor
 On May 9, 2014 10:01 AM, "Jan Liggett" <jkliggett at rogers.com> wrote:

>
>
>  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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