Resident Terry Hryhor wants to see people here better informed about what is happening in the area.
On Feb. 21, he was at council raising a number of questions. He said it would be good if a bulletin or meeting notices could be posted at McMillan Park to let residents know about upcoming meetings and events.
“Time and again I drive past there and in the past few months, the only thing I’ve seen there is a notice – ‘Happy 2012.’ Below it was a notice to bring in bagged leaves to Everdale by Nov. 5. That is the total communication as far as the town bulletin board is concerned.”
In the past there was an events listing with a telephone number. Hryhor suggested the town consider posting a calendar of events.
Last summer while in Drydsen, he was able to pick up a calendar listing all meetings and events a year in advance. He said Erin officials might speak with that community to see how it goes.
“I also note that in many cases the Erin Advocate often has less News, as far as events in Erin, than the Wellington Advertiser.”
Hryhor said more information could be posted on the town website.
He considered there to be issues long overdue for resolution – his top concern being a truck bypass for Erin.
It is an issue dating back to 1974. While he agreed there are ways to bypass Erin using local roads, nothing has really been done to create a bypass or sign roads as a bypass.
“I realize it might be a little difficult because there is no Tim Hortons on that stretch of road,” he quipped.
He brought up the long-standing issue of sewers.
“Your own reports suggest that if you are going to bring in low cost affordable housing, sewers are needed.”
He said if there were sewers, the town could see growth in housing.
Hryhor said he has heard the town was working to bring industry to Erin. “If you look around there are several opportunities.”
But he noted some buildings have been on the market for over two years. “If you look at the whole picture, half a dozen stores are vacant.”
Hryhor said, “It’s been tried before to bring industry to the community.”
A lack of sewers is a deterrent to some prospects, he said.
Hryhor felt more could be done to celebrate the local community, which, in turn, would draw people to town.
“There was a big celebration in Erin to mark 100 years with a parade and floats. When 125 years came around in 2005, there was zilch.”
He added, that there was a celebration in 2010 to mark the opening of McMillan Park on July 1, when there are other competing events in the area. “Even Orton has something going, but what does Erin have?”
Hryhor said the 2011 county Festivals and Events Guide indicated Erin “had absolutely nothing to celebrate. Why not? I think you are depending too much on the Rotary, the Kinsmen, the Optimists, the Legion, the agricultural society to put on your show.”
He said Erin has great facilities that can be used.
Hryhor suggested Stanley Park is a great resource, but councillors pointed out it is a private property.
He wondered why Erin could not host a farmers market in a visible location in the community. He cited Puslinch signing a five-year agreement for the Aberfoyle market.
“Erin has so much potential for a winter festival as well.”
Councillor John Brennan said while not every suggestion may be possible, he cited Hryhor and said “to other residents in Erin, this is what you should be doing.”
Brennan had driven by McMillan Park numerous times and was unaware what was in the community box.
“But I will from now on.”
Mayor Lou Maieron said early on, council had experimented by putting advertisements in the local Newspaper for three to six months for coming meetings. “We didn’t get a bigger turnout.”
He added he would like to work with staff to not only get the agenda, but the entire council package available online on the town website.
He noted a few people were at that night’s meeting about changes to the town’s proposed site alteration [fill] bylaw.
“If there was more material on the website, perhaps more people would come out to council meetings.
As for a truck bypass, “It is up to the members of the public to bring this to council’s attention.”
In the past, interest in the matter has swelled then died down numerous times.
On economic development, Maieron said he has been encouraging council “to step up to the plate – and maybe look at an economic development person – even if it only part-time. Much of the rest of the county have a full or part-time economic development person.”
But he said, “council cannot do everything.” He, too, encouraged residents to bring their ideas forward.
