Dear Editor:
I have been a resident of Wellington county for over 40 years and a resident of the Town of Erin for the past 26 years.
I am a licensed journeyman carpenter with 37 years experience in residential construction.
It is from this perspective that I want to submit my opposition to the transfer of 120 rural residential severances from Erin to the Township of Puslinch and to question why the date for severance has not been changed in 20 years.
The transfer of this wealth out of our township is shortsighted and poorly thought out and will have long-term negative impacts on the residential market in our town.
Imagine the number of real estate agents, contractors, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, carpenters, surveyors and lawyers who live and want to work in Erin whose livelihoods you’re threatening. Never mind the taxes the town could be collecting for the rest of time on these homes.
At $1 million per home you are giving away at least $120 million dollars of business to a neighbouring township and for what?
I can’t think of any time when our town said it’s a good idea to give away our wealth and our opportunities to some other municipality. We are in a period of uncertainty right now but I think a longer view would suggest that we need homes of all types and sizes.
I hope officials will consider this idea flawed and will reject it outright and keep Erin’s wealth in Erin.
Tom Carroll,
Erin