Re: Central Frontenac by-law

Sarah Hale | Jun 01, 2016

An open letter to the Central Frontenac Council concerning various by-law issues (Noise and safe property bylaws in Central Frontenac, May 12/16)

About 44 years ago, I tried living in a tidy suburban development, and hated it so much that I moved back into downtown Toronto as quickly as possible. A year or two later, when my husband and I came to Arden to "try it out for a year," I was delighted to find myself in a village full of thriving vegetable gardens, pigpens, wild spaces, and wildlife - plus three grocery stores, a hardware store, and three churches - all within walking distance. I like walking distance.

Much has changed since then - the grocery stores are gone, the trees have grown, and the wildlife has increased. Arden is now officially a "hamlet," but I still love it here, and am concerned with current by-law issues that seem trying to turn my Arden into the suburbia that I fled.

Please, Central Frontenac Council, do not pass a lawn care by-law unless it allows for and encourages wild-flower gardens, dandelions for honeybees and spring tonic, milkweed for monarchs, and beneficial plants like nettles for human health and flourishing.

Do, please, encourage rather than outlaw properly maintained compost heaps, thus increasing soil fertility and keeping vegetable waste out of the landfill.

Please expand the definition of "pet" to welcome people who choose a variety of animal companions (within reasonable limits of size and safety) - please do not discriminate against someone who loves a duck as much as a dog!

Beyond issues of lawn maintenance choices and animal companion preferences, please eliminate by-laws that help make our village a Food Desert.

Please clearly allow the keeping of poultry for eggs and meat.

Please encourage the growth of gardens, and a level of "agricultural activity" that allows people in the township (including the hamlets) to grow food for themselves and, if they can, enough to sell, give, or barter to their communities. Lettuce less travelled, please.

We have an opportunity here in Central Frontenac to create communities that encourage healthy living, food security, self-reliance, and the flourishing of the natural world. Let's do it!