As Centre Wellington’s leaders ponder what to do with the OLG money, I would like to add my thoughts. These thoughts come from two separate but similar experiences. In the spring, I rode my bicycle up to Elmira. There along the trail, was a sign that proudly stated that “no tax money was used in the construction of this trail”. ( I applaud the volunteers that made that trail, it was gorgeous, but limited in length and function).
Just recently, I was riding in Quebec, and there a sign was posted as well, but it highlighted “the partnership between government and volunteers in the creation of the trail”. This trail can take you from downtown Montreal to all parts of Quebec. The trail was heavily used, and there was a lot of civic pride in what had been created with this partnership. Without government, this trail could not have been created.
My point is two fold, we need government and the government needs us. I will volunteer to build a brighter, better community, and I will pay more tax, but I need a local government that can see beyond just maintaining infrastructure or keeping up with a growing population. We all need to help build a future that makes our lives better, and I would argue that, our future needs a heavy investment of money and time in new infrastructure that helps us all to be active. Movement helps us lead happy and healthy lives, and our local government, and community groups have a huge role in helping its’ citizens be active.
So, the first two steps, is to use the OLG money to create active public parks and to build trails/lanes that link us to these places.
John Scott
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John Scott