Parks, Crime Rate Questioned In Addington Highlands

Craig Bakay | Dec 14, 2022

Much of the regular Dec. 6 Addington Highlands Council meeting in Flinton was taken up by presentations from defeated Reeve candidate Marlean McLean (long-time incumbent Henry Hogg defeated McLean 980 to 458 in the municipal election earlier this year.)

McLean’s delegation called for a new playground at Denbigh’s Heritage Park and crime in the Township as a whole.

McLean questioned beautification plans at the park and the application for a grant to do so.

“While a beautification project may be the end goal, there are other matters to consider first,” she said. “The community of Denbigh overall supports a playground before anything else. The community is reluctant to support a beautification project which may impose on the desired layout of the playground. We are concerned about planting and root systems as well as cement pads for benches (and) the current horseshoe set up is not in an ideal location either.

“It is for these reasons we want to see a new playground before anything else.”

McLean claimed that the playground currently services about 80 children but Coun. Helen Yanch questioned that.

“I highly doubt there are 80 children in Denbigh,” Yanch said. “I love Denbigh and to think we’re not looking after our playgrounds is not a nice thing to do. If there were 80 children in Denbigh, their school would still be open.”

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch pointed out that the Denbigh recreation committee, unlike its counterpart in Flinton, is a totally volunteer committee, and not incorporated.

McLean questioned the makeup of the committee and said both Coun. Kirby Thompson and his wife are on it.

“I take great offense to that comment,” said Thompson. “You’re stepping over the line.

“Who appointed you as official spokesperson for the community of Denbigh?”

“Nobody,” McLean replied.

McLean continued on with a dissertation about crime in the community.

“We have community members locking vehicles and doors and installing cameras,” she said. “Most say they haven’t had to do this in their 30-50 years living here. People are fearful of vigilante justice (and) over the past few months tension has risen. There appears to be the same group targeting our community and one specific location of URCA housing of extreme concern.”

Resident Beth Boomhower also spoke on the subject.

“Our community is living in fear,” she said. “They’re locking doors and staying up all night long to ensure their possessions are safe.

“Some community members are travelling roads watching houses. I’m one of them.”

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch said that addiction issues are another aspect of the problem.

Council passed a motion asking for an OPP representative to attend Council and address the issue.

Election results?

Marlean McLean wasn’t done with her concerns about park safety and crime. She also questioned (albeit unofficially) the results of the October election, or at least the numbers of eligible voters.

CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed, who was responsible for the election, said there were no concerns about ‘phantom ballots’ or irregularities brought to her attention.

Reed also questioned figures McLean quoted saying that there were, in fact, 4,549 registered voters rather than the 4,788 McLean claimed.

Reed also said that according to MPAC data, there are 1,765 permanent voters in the Township and that 55 per cent of total tax revenues come from seasonal property owners, not the 70 per cent McLean claimed.

Reed also pointed out that lake associations themselves do not pay taxes and that not all seasonal residents are members of lake associations.

McLean also questioned how the Deputy Reeve is selected. Reeve Henry Hogg said that that goes back to amalgamation in 1998.

“I thought it would be a good idea to have a member from each ward on County Council,” he said. Th position of Deputy Reeve is offered to the council member receiving the most votes in the ward where the Reeve does not reside. Tony Fritsch holds that position.

Hamper program donation

Council approved a $750 donation to the Denbigh Griffith Lions Club Christmas Hamper Program.

“A number of grants approved in the budget were not claimed,” said CAO/Clerk-Treasurer Christine Reed, freeing up some money for the hamper program

Soccer donation deferred

A request for a monetary donation to the North Addington Soccer Association was deferred to the 2023 budget deliberations.

Hydro grant application deferred to the county

A proposal to apply for a Hydro One energizing life grant to repair damage done to the Flinton trails by the derecho was deferred to County Council.

“The trails are County property,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.