Dear Editor:
Apathy or just uninformed? This question hit me hard recently as Erin’s 2019 budget deliberation got under way.
On Dec. 5 (3pm budget meeting and 6:30pm regular council meeting) public attendance was most disappointing. Staff did a good job of opening up the 2019 budget process with presentations/workshops to council and the public. Public had opportunities to provide feedback.
But due to sparse public attendance, staff and councillors did not hear clearly the needs and priorities of how the public wants their tax dollars used. Opportunity lost.
Hopefully, Dec. 18 will be better attended and people will voice their comments, providing meaningful discussion on public priorities before the final budget and fees are passed. Residents have until Dec. 18 to provide councillors and staff with their input.
I am convinced that if residents are engaged in the right venue, they will become involved and have a great deal of good feedback. This was very obvious at the various sites NeigbhourhoodConnections set up during the recent election.
The town website should only be one of a multitude of means to inform the public. The website is not reaching the constituents. Frequent meet and greet the councillors opportunities should be provided to engage and hear what the public expects of their elected officials. Face-to-face is a great way for councillors to connect with the voters. Only this way, can our elected officials understand our needs and priorities and truly represent us to the best of their abilities.
I would like to bring to my fellow residents’ attention two very important issues that we face. One issue requires council’s decision to support a full-time bylaw enforcement officer. At present, council is considering a part-time officer. Councillors at the 2018 election agreed if elected, they would support a full-time officer. We must hold them to that promise. We’ve shared an enforcement officer with Guelph-Eramosa. We have shared an enforcement officer with the building department. These options were unworkable and definitely unacceptable. We need a full-time enforcement officer to keep the law: speeding, illegal fill-dumping, regulating truck routes, noise and dust nuisance, property standard and now, marijuana. An important part of the enforcement officer’s duties is ensuring our bylaws are stringent and enforceable.
At the Dec. 5 council meeting, an excellent presentation was made by OPP Inspector Scott Lawson on the social, legal and enforcement impact of marijuana in Wellington County. Also, Belwood resident Silvana Sangiuliano delegated her well-researched marijuana presentation to council.
Timely, these two presentations reinforced council’s decision to “opt-out” of permitting physical cannabis retail stores in Town of Erin. This is a good decision. There are so many uncertainties on enforcement details from the province. One thing for sure, though, each municipality will require a marijuana bylaw. Thus, the importance of a full-time enforcement officer.
I have hope. I think it is residents being uninformed and having eroded trust in the government that hinders engagement. I believe together, with a stronger voice, we residents can bring needed changes.
Anna Spiteri, ERIN