Dear Editor:
I have known Ed O’Shaughnessy for a number of years. I believe him to be a man of integrity and high ethics. He is not usually confrontational, which means that the St. David Street bike lane issue strikes a very serious chord with him.
Unfortunately, Ed, your main opposition, in my opinion, do not enjoy the same level of character as you. In saying so, you are taking a knife to a gunfight.
As with many politicians, an often used strategy with detractors is to ignore those who do not agree with them. Ignored long enough, the protests will die down, the issue will proceed as originally planned and the detractors will be silenced. I have already seen this to be the case, personally.
I think that your campaign will be proven to be accurate and it will take a fatality or a serious accident in the future to verify that. Of course, by then it will be too late.
As you pointed out, this is already a fait accompli. The usual clique of four versus three in this council will have their way despite the wishes of their constituents. Five versus two to reconsider the decision will be a non-starter.
Valiant effort, Ed, but you’re spitting into the wind.
Terry McKenna,
Elora