Dear Editor:
RE: Entrance signs welcoming people to the “City of Fergus.”
So now we are a city?
Well that was quite the surprise – is this a “turn of phrase” or just another political decision without town consensus? It’s frustrating enough to have a densification agenda downloaded from the province, to which it appears the developers are in control of, but coupled with a council seemingly unwilling to halt the rapidity of progress and say “no” to putting the proverbial cart before the horse is disturbing
There is no blame to be laid, no individual to be single out, but why, when the majority of constituents oppose a proposal or initiative, does it seem our voices are never heard, and certainly not acted upon? The apparent lack of respect is more than frustrating.
We are placated with empty words only to see no visible action in favour of the constituents – from the ridiculous notion of bike lanes on a busy truck route, to contentious allowances favouring over-height buildings with insufficient parking, to parking bylaws that penalize residents’ parking privileges in favour of growth and tourism … and now we are a city?
What the heck happened? How does a growing town all of the sudden become a designated “city” overnight? When were we, the constituents, the residents, the taxpayers consulted about such a terminal decision to rebrand our town? Is Elora still a “quaint village” or is it now a burgeoning metropolis?
For goodness sake, give your heads a shake, take a moment of pause and consider what is being destroyed in the process … under the guise of “progress”.
Deb DePasquale,
Fergus
*Editor’s note: An official with Centre Wellington Township told the Advertiser the sign on Highway 6 at the southern entrance to town stating “City of Fergus” was made in error and installed by the provincial Ministry of Transportation. The township expects it to be replaced soon.