macphail
09-20-2004, 10:38 PM
[The following 'Letter to the Editor' was published in the Kingston Whig-Standard on September 15, 2004]
Once again, a letter writer to the local media attempts to manipulate the last municipal election results to justify the need for and priority of the proposed LVEC. Frighteningly enough, the myth that Harvey Rosen was elected by the majority of those who took the time to cast a ballot because the top priority for the city is the development of the LVEC, has been repeated so often as to be taken as a fact. While there is no denying that a new complex designed to host a variety of entertainment events is lacking in Kingston, it is fallacious to believe that a majority of Kingstonians see this as being the most pressing issue facing our city and worthy of the time, energy and monies being spent to this end. There are other more pressing issues that our esteemed city councillors need to address. Why have issues such as crime (which has increased 24% in the past 3 years), homelessness/affordable housing, infrastructure and community development been all but ignored?
Is the city of Kingston so affluent that building an LVEC to host an OHL team (with an uncertain future) and provide a venue for entertainment acts that many citizens in this city will not be able to afford and/or will not be interested in attending, is our only concern?
What about social development? What about supporting moves that will bring communities together rather than contentious issues such as the proposed LVEC location and an attempt to limit public participation at council meetings that has created a divide not only between council and citizens, but between different groups within our city?
Why rush a process with a $30-million+ price tag yet continually defer easy-to-implement recommendations with little or no costs such as dog parks and assisting with the development of neighbourhood associations? Why waive development fees for future industry, yet do nothing substantial to address homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in Kingston?
Instead of funding economic development initiatives at the expense of local taxpayers, council must also fund social development initiatives such as public health and safety, community projects, infrastructure, emergency preparedness and measures to protect the environment.
To try and argue that these social issues are not as important as economic development, or that downloading the cost to the taxpayer (in the name of “economic development”) is the only way to pay for them, illustrates the ignorance and lack of understanding of those who endorse these policies about what really comprises economic development.
If the majority of the people of Kingston truly believe that the building of the Mayor’s LVEC is a priority perhaps that speaks volumes about the priorities we have as a city and our lack of comprehension regarding the kind of problems Kingston not only faces now, but will continue to face in the foreseeable future. I can only say that I hope I am wrong and that the people elected a Mayor and Council to deal with the pressing issues that affect the city as a whole, a city that extends beyond the boundaries of the downtown core. If I’m right, it’s time that Mayor Rosen and Council starting looking at the bigger picture and started to get our priorities in order.
Once again, a letter writer to the local media attempts to manipulate the last municipal election results to justify the need for and priority of the proposed LVEC. Frighteningly enough, the myth that Harvey Rosen was elected by the majority of those who took the time to cast a ballot because the top priority for the city is the development of the LVEC, has been repeated so often as to be taken as a fact. While there is no denying that a new complex designed to host a variety of entertainment events is lacking in Kingston, it is fallacious to believe that a majority of Kingstonians see this as being the most pressing issue facing our city and worthy of the time, energy and monies being spent to this end. There are other more pressing issues that our esteemed city councillors need to address. Why have issues such as crime (which has increased 24% in the past 3 years), homelessness/affordable housing, infrastructure and community development been all but ignored?
Is the city of Kingston so affluent that building an LVEC to host an OHL team (with an uncertain future) and provide a venue for entertainment acts that many citizens in this city will not be able to afford and/or will not be interested in attending, is our only concern?
What about social development? What about supporting moves that will bring communities together rather than contentious issues such as the proposed LVEC location and an attempt to limit public participation at council meetings that has created a divide not only between council and citizens, but between different groups within our city?
Why rush a process with a $30-million+ price tag yet continually defer easy-to-implement recommendations with little or no costs such as dog parks and assisting with the development of neighbourhood associations? Why waive development fees for future industry, yet do nothing substantial to address homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in Kingston?
Instead of funding economic development initiatives at the expense of local taxpayers, council must also fund social development initiatives such as public health and safety, community projects, infrastructure, emergency preparedness and measures to protect the environment.
To try and argue that these social issues are not as important as economic development, or that downloading the cost to the taxpayer (in the name of “economic development”) is the only way to pay for them, illustrates the ignorance and lack of understanding of those who endorse these policies about what really comprises economic development.
If the majority of the people of Kingston truly believe that the building of the Mayor’s LVEC is a priority perhaps that speaks volumes about the priorities we have as a city and our lack of comprehension regarding the kind of problems Kingston not only faces now, but will continue to face in the foreseeable future. I can only say that I hope I am wrong and that the people elected a Mayor and Council to deal with the pressing issues that affect the city as a whole, a city that extends beyond the boundaries of the downtown core. If I’m right, it’s time that Mayor Rosen and Council starting looking at the bigger picture and started to get our priorities in order.