Letters: Feb 2

Re: CF Property standards bylaw, Mary Stinson

New garbage policy stinks, Diane Etheridge

Re: Central Frontenac Budget, John Watts

Re: CF Property standards bylaw

I attended both public meetings and feel that Chief Building Official Jeremy Neven has done a good job of presenting the current bylaws and options for more comprehensive ones.

Some major reasons proposed for a property standards by-law were health and safety issues, property values, and economic development.

The current By-Law #2000-81, “A By-Law to provide for the Safety of Properties”, which deals with property issues, would serve to resolve issues related to health and safety. Although it does not go as far as property standards bylaws, it is fairly comprehensive. Fire hazards, excessive garbage, buildings so derelict they are an endangerment to occupants, and scrap/junk material can all be investigated under the above-mentioned bylaw. At the Sharbot Lake meeting the C.B.O. was asked what the number of complaints were under the present system. He said 19 complaints were resolved, and six were unable to be resolved under the present system. I think that’s a pretty good record, and I wonder if more people lodged complaints under the present system whether this would suffice. The township has also been pretty responsive in demolishing derelict buildings that have fallen back to the municipality. Two motel properties on Hwy 7 near Arden come to mind.

Property Values and Economic Development are both economic issues, so let’s consider economics. Cleaning up a property is one thing, but poorly maintained buildings often exist because they reflect economic disadvantage. Simply put, it costs significant cash to repair that siding. Poverty is a real issue that affects many people right across this country, and property standards could serve to blame people for their inability to improve their properties if they are “out of character with the surrounding environment” (Bancroft Property Standards By-Law). The standard could also become a moving target if properties in an area change ownership and very expensive new homes are built next to an “unsightly” building. A property standards by-law could result in people losing their property, as the township can implement required changes and pass on the cost to the property owner on their tax bill. Root causes of poverty, such as lack of good paying jobs (or any jobs), inadequate pension income, lack of transportation and mental health issues need to be addressed, not covered up by dictating that we pretty up the neighbourhood.

It is not that I do not wish for economic development and an attractive community. I simply do not think a property standards by-law is the way to achieve these goals. It was mentioned by property standards proponents that most issues are solved cooperatively with no need to order work done. If this is the case there should be no need for the property standards by-law anyway. The only initiative that I see as having merit would be a voluntary one, with the property owner making the final determination.

Although I do not know much about the Friends Of Arden, I remember their cleanup day and their invitation for people to let them know if they needed assistance in removing garbage/debris, etc. This organization offered their time and resources to provide assistance, and to me this is a far more positive approach. Organizations such as Villages Beautiful, the Friends of Arden, etc. are instrumental in improving the appearance and the spirit of our communities.

Mary Stinson

New garbage policy stinks

I live in Central Frontenac and as I'm sure everyone else in this township already knows, our garbage policy is changing on April 01, 2012. First I would like to say I'm all for recycling and I understand the importance of recycling. What I don't understand is why we must all be put through this exercise because of the ones who don't recycle. We can no longer use tags, we must now purchase the clear bags from the township office in Sharbot Lake. The township is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. I am not in Sharbot Lake that often let alone at these times, I live at the very south end of Central Frontenac and have little or no need to travel north.

I have also found it almost impossible to find clear “kitchen catcher" size garbage bags, after trying several stores all I have found is opaque bags, which I have been told we can't use. After inquiring at the township office and talking to Kyle Labbett, Waste Management Supervisor, he said that the clear bags for our kitchen pails could be purchased at the hardware store in Sharbot Lake - again presenting the problem of travelling north of here. Kyle also suggested dumping all my small bags into the clear large bag, but I don't think I want to be handling the garbage again.

I also resent that I now have to buy small garbage bags. I am using shopping bags, which is the 2nd "R" in the 3 recycling "R"s of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. I would have thought a less work intensive idea would have made it easier for residents to follow the recycling rules. One idea is, if you show up the dump with very little or no recyclables and only garbage then it is very obvious you aren't recycling, so you can't leave your garbage. I remember filling out a questionnaire quite some time ago about garbage and our ideas and solutions and I'm sure you must have received some better solutions then the one you came up with.

Diane Etheridge

Re: Central Frontenac Budget

I read with interest the Jan. 26 letter from Mark Montagano re the preposterous tax hike proposed by our council. When will they realise that you cannot be all things to all people! Take a look at the mess in Europe - we can all criticise the Greeks but we have the equivalent right here in our own backyard! Austerity is a tough pill to swallow but one that is absolutely necessary and required - this council needs to do what is for the long term health of the community and that means tough measures - like reductions and/or eliminations of services or positions. Nothing should be sacrosanct in such times. Tax increases of this kind will inevitably lead us to ruination.

John Watts

Re: Deer Rescue Adventure

It was with great interest that I read the January 26 article that Eythel Grant's daughter Shawna wrote about her and her dad saving a deer from certain death. They used a lot of skill and quick thinking to do so, and there was also some personal risk to themselves from falling into the water.

Eythel Grant was a councilor for Addington Highlands for over 20 years and is well known as an avid outdoorsman, which included trapping and hunting. And yet he risked his own safety to SAVE an animal, to show it human compassion after it was on safe ground. He even went back the next day with his grandson Corey to bring the deer some food and bedding and to make sure the wolves hadn't killed it.

I wonder how many members of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), an anti-hunting and trapping group, have saved a deer this year? Or did they do so from the comfort of their homes and offices in Canada's large cities.

It's good to know we have people like Eythel, Shawna and Corey in this area.

Larry Pealow