Vaccination Rights

Jim Vanden Hoek | Jul 28, 2021

The article, “Draft Management Plan Pegs K&P Trail Maintenance costs at $115,000 Per Year” and the response from the Economic Development Manager Joe Gallivan is interesting.

Before I start, I tip my hat to all those who supported the trail, its construction and enduring all the challenges that come along with getting infrastructure built. 

The maintenance issue and the views on how it should be handled is a bit confusing. 

I thought the role of the Economic Development people was, investment attraction and job creation. Trail maintenance, granted it's a small item, is an opportunity(s) to engage someone or some company in the Frontenacs to provide that service. 

I think there would be individuals or contractors that would be capable of performing that kind of work. That type of outsourcing will no doubt receive pushback from the County and the Townships for a host of reasons but the benefits, in my opinion would justify the effort. 

Its local and enhances or give someone economic opportunity. I thought that was the objective of "Economic Development"

My suggestion would be, to be creative.

Let's find someone local.  Let's do what we need to train them, set them up. Let's manage the contract(s). Hold them to account. Let's expect a few challenges.

Let's send them off and who knows, perhaps 10 yrs from now we have established a trail contractor(s) who provides services to other municipalities in Eastern Ontario.  

Jim Vanden Hoek