I love this community and I value living here. For these reasons I must respond to the letter by Joan (Dickinson) Aitchison.
This lady is obviously misinformed and she certainly was not listening to the very presentations she is so critical of nor has she read the articles she's complaining about. If she has read them she absolutely did not understand them. Had she, she would understand that the discussion is NOT about slots and its NOT about money. It has been a long time since the word slots has been mentioned by any representatives of the CWCC. So get over it.
The issue that the Coalition went to court about was NOT to dispute the slots, but to give voice to those citizens who were concerned about the poor public input process used by our Township Council. I suspect Council learned their lesson and would hold a much better series of meetings if faced with another issue like this So the coalition has done us all a favour
The writer misses another big point. It's not about money!. The Coalition has paid its own bills. The township is now acting in a punitive and vengeful manner by charging the Coalition with legal bills that your tax dollars and mine have already been set aside in a legal fund to pay for this type of action. Even if the assessed costs were $1 in legal fees wed be hearing about this. Because what is happening is unprecedented and unjust. Despite what Mayor Pinkney has said, the court has not ordered council to collect, it has stated only that they can if they want to. And they want to for one reason and one reason only - to silence the voices of those who cant be hoodwinked into going along with whatever ill-thought-out decisions this council makes.
The writer also misses the point regarding the $ 850.000. MS. AITCHISON this is YOUR loss, because it is the money the community (that is, you, me and every citizen) has to forgo to help pay for the building of the raceway and slots facilities.
So why is the Coalition objecting? Because of an important principle. It's such an important principle that, next month the Supreme Court of Canada is going to look at whats happening in our community. Here's the scenario. A citizens group takes government to court over an issue. The group pays for its own legal fees. Then it loses its case. Now we have the principle. Is it right for local governments to collect money for court costs from their own citizens? Or does this discourage responsible citizen input into the next big question faced by the community? It's not just a question here in Centre Wellington. Its a question all across Canada.
And it's the very question that the Supreme Court is asking on behalf of every citizen in our country
Think about this. What Council is trying to do in Centre Wellington is going to be a national embarrassment when the Supreme Court rules that it's illegal.
And for goodness sake, don't try to prove a case by making disparaging remarks about people you do not seem to know. Despite what you would like to believe, not all coalition members are new to the community. Many come from families who have lived here for generations. One does not have to be a new arrival in the community to be sufficiently astute to recognize injustices. Everyone who lives here cares about this fine community. Be proud of the fact that people want to live here and care enough to get involved. As you read this, Coalition members from all walks of life, many of whom have been here all their lives, are busy with the following charities and good causes.
Habitat for Humanity.
The Elora Arts Council, which give opportunities for young and local artists to showcase their work
Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis research
Fundraising for Brest Cancer research
Fundraising for the Heart and Stroke Foundation
Hospice programs
Sitting with terminally ill
The Elora Centre for the Arts
Animal shelters
Food drives
Youth programs
I myself have organized several Fund-raises for the Women in Crisis Shelter ( held at the legion ) No I don't tie up skate laces but I am active in many meaningful charitable and community activities.
I don't go to the slots, but I do enjoy horse racing now and then, and can recall many fine evenings with my young sons cheering a favourite horses on with a small bet on the line. So you see we all have things in common and its about time we paid more attention to what brings us all together.