Letter to Council from Lee Griffi

An open letter to members of East Zorra Tavistock Council

August 10, 2012

Dear Council Members:

It is with great disappointment that I write this letter. I have been a resident of Tavistock for a total of 17 years after moving from Stratford and I have always considere

d the town an incredible place to live for myself and my three children. But after the events of this summer I have become dismayed with not only the decisions made by you, our elected officials, but the lack of respect you show for the ratepayers and concerned citizens of East Zorra Tavistock. Many questions have been asked of you yet we get either no answers or answers that simply put just aren’t good enough.

The purpose of this letter is to hopefully get some real answers. Answers that the taxpayers and residents of Tavistock deserve. I challenge you, our elected officials to step up to the plate and provide us with some honest dialogue. We elected you. We pay your salaries. It’s time to be accountable and honest.

1. The 5-Corner Traffic Lights. Is anyone (East Zorra Tavistock or Oxford County) monitoring the traffic patterns with the new stoplight system? Is there a review planned for the near future and if so why not? The traffic situation has become laughable with long delays on both Woodstock and Hope Street. This will lead to decreased traffic though Tavistock as people become fed up with waiting in long lines and take an alternate route. The result will be less money being spent in Tavistock on gas, food, etc. Haven’t our businesses been hit hard enough with reduced sales because of construction?

2. Hope Street Construction. The project is well behind schedule. Why? Will the contracted company be penalized because they will not be completed on time? Why has calcium chloride not been applied to the road (and surrounding roads) on a regular basis to keep dust under control? I realize this is a County project but I would think at least our Mayor should have these answers.

3. Angled Parking on Maria Street. Mayor McKay you are quoted in the Stratford Gazette as saying that additional parking spaces are needed…to support the businesses and visitors to the retail core. “Are we listening to residents? By all means. We know that there are a few residents who are very upset. We fully understand and appreciate they have some concerns. We would agree to disagree,” you added. How many people exactly have come to you or other members of council and said that Tavistock needs more parking? If the numbers justify it, I am all for a small parking study being done by professionals who do that for a living. My question to council is this. Why are you pushing so hard for a few extra parking spaces that just about no one in Tavistock wants? Petitions have been signed by hundreds of people. Everyone I have spoken to on this issue doesn’t want it and I can tell you it has been talked about very frequently over the past 2 months. So to be quite honest there are more than a few people who are upset. We deserve honest answers to these questions.

Perhaps my greatest disappointment with Council was when you listened to four delegations from concerned residents over the angled parking issue. All four presented intelligent arguments against the project yet not one of you had the common courtesy to say a single word. Quite frankly I was shocked. The people who gathered in that room deserved a little more than your silence. Questions were asked but again, no answers were forthcoming. Shame on you all. This was the perfect opportunity to meaningfully engage ratepayers in a public forum and you chose not to.

I hope that at least a few of you have the courage to respond to my questions and maybe start a good habit of open and honest dialogue. It is your responsibility as OUR elected officials.

Sincerely,

Lee Griffi

Yet another Letter to the editor

Letter to the editor
Angle parking: No one listens

I was in the gallery when presentations regarding the planned angle parking on Maria Street were made by four Tavistock residents at the East Zorra-Tavistock council meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 1. These presentations were made to council as “information only” so members had no obligation to debate the issue with the delegation.
Each of the presenters made a number of points why they believe the planned angle parking will be unsafe. At the end of the presentations, Deputy Mayor Maureen Ralph asked councillors if they had any questions for the delegation members, but they had no questions or comments.

Here was their chance, especially the two Tavistock councillors, to explain to citizens why they feel angle parking is the answer to the problems council says we have in downtown Tavistock. (I actually was unaware we had a parking problem.) Their silence was deafening.
We are not asking council to run a four-lane road up Centennial Drive. We are not asking to move the lagoon to the north end of Tavistock. All we are asking is when the construction work on Maria Street is complete, that the lines painted on the road for parking are parallel not angled to the curb.

The people spoke but unfortunately in this case, no one listened.

Beverly Neeb
Tavistock

Letter provided by Bill Gladding / Tavistock Gazette

Another Letter to the Editor

Letter to the editor

Avoiding Tavistock

For years I have driven through your fine town, over 40 times a year, stopping to purchase gas, groceries, hardware supplies and eat in your restaurants. I am now going to take another route and taking my business to either Stratford or New Hamburg. The ongoing traffic mess due to the construction and how you have chosen to route the detours and time the lights has caused my travel plans to permanently change. In addition, the new parking plans featured on CTV, all say to me it is time to avoid your community for a more transportation-friending municipality. I am also going to recommend avoiding Tavistock to my family and friends. 

Jim Gill
Oakville, Ontario

Letter provided by Bill Gladding / Tavistock Gazette

Local News

Hi All, 

Here is a link to a news spot that talks about the Maria street parking issue. The Mayor is grasping at explanations that make no sense and have not previously been stated to anyone. Maybe if the Mayor was at the Council proceedings in which four residents confronted Council and expressed the reason for the opposition, he could have sounded more like a Mayor that is interested in his area than a politician trying to justify his bad decisions. 

See the report here.

Bill Gladding's Message to Council

Mayor, Councilors, staff and residents -


I have been a proud Tavistock resident nearly all my life.
In contrast to Mr. Breyer, who is a newcomer, I grew up here, went to school here, raised my children here, have worked in Tavistock since 1969, and owned a business since 1988.


But we both share the same feeling about this village. Tavistock residents have become second class citizens. Who do we turn to when we disagree with the County on lagoon expansion and expropriation of land from a local farmer? Who do we turn to when the traffic is backed up out of town due to construction and there are no police to take control of the situation? Who do we turn to when the Township wants to take land away from a new resident to create a parking lot? It seems we are labelled as whiners and complainers, but we live here. 


We see what is happening, minute to minute, hour to hour, and day to day. Where is our representation? When we get the answer that it's "a County issue" or "not our responsibility," it's not acceptable. Council should be making our concerns known to the proper authorities, no matter how trivial the request seems, and whether it's one person or 50.
I'm sure that when you decided to run for Council, you held to the ideal that you could serve your community and be a voice for fellow residents. Get involved in the community and relay our concerns to the Council table. Today, residents feel we have no voice.


As a newspaper editor and publisher, I try to be impartial and look at both sides of the story. What I am observing is a population that wants one thing, but a Council that wants another. The words and ideas of the people are falling on deaf ears. 


During my lifetime there have been controversies, disagreements, and compromises on many different issues in the village. However, this is the first time I have seen residents so frustrated with decision-making, and the lack thereof, that they want to leave the town.
I won't elaborate anymore on what has already been said, but the lagoon, the library, the traffic lights, and the Royal Reno, continue to be sore subjects. The parking issue has just put people over the top. They've had enough, not only with the issues, but in the way residents are being treated.


I congratulate Deputy-Mayor Maureen Ralph and Councillor Don MacDonald for listening to the people and putting forth the motion at the last meeting to rethink the angle parking construction on Maria Street. I am, however, disappointed in our Tavistock Councilors for not supporting their constituents and at least looking into their concerns further. And I am shocked at the actions of Mr. O'Neil cutting down the tree moments after Council's decision. That was simply unnecessary and flies in the face of respect for the community.


Parking for the sake of parking is not a good idea and angle parking on Maria Street is downright ridiculous. Not only will people have trouble backing out onto a busy street, but after parking they will have to cross the same busy street as a pedestrian. You've just doubled the chances of an accident or injury.


Tavistock doesn't need more parking, it needs a more vibrant downtown with no empty stores, attractive streets without weeds, better lighting, more workable traffic signals, and garbage bins that are large enough, emptied regularly, and enough of them in place to handle the need. 
If Council wants to gain back the trust they have so easily let slip away, then it's time to start listening to the people again. 


Thank you for this opportunity to speak.
Bill Gladding, editor/publisher, Tavistock Gazette

Share your thoughts!

Hi All,

This blog was established to provide the residents of East Zorra Tavistock with a forum to share their ideas, questions and concerns related to your Community. So feel free to send me your thoughts on any current or new issues you want to be heard whether anonymous or attached to your name and I will post it here. Just email it to jonkirkross@gmail.com.

Also, you can subscribe to updates on the right hand side of this blog.

You can also vote on what you think should happen with the online polls on the right side of the page.

Lastly, you can leave comments on any of the posted articles.

Use this as others have been to let Council know what you want for your Community.

Thanks for participating!!!
Jon

Article in "The Beacon"

See the latest article on the subject at the Stratford Beacon Harold's website at:
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2012/08/01/council-silent-on-parking-issue

Very good article, it illustrates the real problem with this issue... Council is not listening.

Regards,
Jon

Heart FM Article - Tavistock's Royal Reno Hits Financial Snag

So, it sounds like the community is not in agreement with the project. See the article at Heart FM:

Tavistock's Royal Reno Hits Financial Snag

Jon Ross' Message to Council

Good Afternoon, 

Mr Mayor, Councilors Smith, Lazenby and particularily Councilors Lawry and Fulton, I am truly disappointed with you. Over the last month the Residents of Tavistock have made an attempt to get through to you and communicate what the residents of Tavistock desire for Maria street. There was a Rally in which more than 30 East Zorra Tavistock residents attended, there were 170 signatures collected in just 3 and half days by folks that work all day, and there are more signatures to deliver today, and of the signatures that I collected only 2 refused because they never sign petitions, there have been several articles in the newspaper, several letters to the editor, numerous on-line blog postings, 

phone calls, emails to all Councilors, there was even a motion and seconder to abolish this project and now there are residents here in front of you to communicate a single message "TAVISTOCK DOES NOT WANT ANGLED PARKING!!!". 

We the residents of East Zorra Tavistock have been trying every means of communication to tell you that we DO NOT WANT ANGLED PARKING and yet you do not hear us. We are the rate payers, you are our representatives, it is your job and responsibility to listen to our concerns and act accordingly particularly when you have such an overwhelming number of residents telling you so by all communication means available. 

The residents of Tavistock DO NOT WANT angled parking on Maria street for several reasons, including:

1. Angled parking is unsafe.
2. The parking spaces on Maria street are rarely all taken and even when they are, the extra distance to walk from an available parking spot is insignificant.
3. This project is a misuse of tax dollars that could otherwise be spent on things the community actually needs.
4. There is no enforcement of the two hour limit on Maria street and so we would expect that residents of near by properties may use this parking for residential parking, i.e. residents and visitors to the library apartments and we do not want that.
5. The feed trucks that use Maria street to access the feed mill will subject Post Office users to greater risk because of visibility issues with angled parking.
6. The plan provides no sidewalk in front of the angled parking so that folks can access the cross walk and cross the street safely. This demonstrates that the Township expects the users of the angled parking to cross the street no matter where they park. By creating that situation, the township would be liable damages if an accident were to occur as a result of the angled parking.

Furthermore, with respect to the vote against the motion by Ralph, seconded by McDonald, I am appalled and disgusted with the way in which you excercised your might and power to demonstrate to the residents that you call the shots and that you are the all mighty council of East Zorra Tavistock by cutting down that tree within 60 minutes of the decision.  

To summarize my thoughts, I would like to state:

• You are creating something Tavistock doesn't need, that is unsafe and at a significant cost to the tax payers of Tavistock.
• You represent the people of Tavistock, yet you don't listen to them.
• You know it is OK to change your mind, it is NOT a weakness, it shows that you have compassion and an open mind. 
• You best think about how you handle this situation, we are here to be heard and to listen, if you go into a closed session after this to discuss amongst yourselves, it will NOT look good!!!

In closing, I have several questions that I would like you a a Council to answer:

• Are you willing to take personal responsibility for property that is damaged because of an accident that results from the angled parking, because I as a tax payer refuse to allow my taxes to pay for your bad judgement.
• Are you willing to take personal responsibility for injuries that that occur because of an accident that results from the angled parking, because I as a tax payer refuse to allow my taxes to pay for your bad judgement.
• How can you call yourselves representatives of East Zorra Tavistock when you do not heed the wishes of the tax payers you represent?
• Why do you insist on spending our tax dollars to fund a project that doesn't serve any residents of Tavistock?
• Why, with all of the opposition, from the tax payers of East Zorra Tavistock, are o moving forward with a this project?

Shirley Hanlon's Message to Council

Deputy Mayor Ralph, Councillors:

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to speak to what I believe is a grave concern for our local community of Tavistock.  That is your proposal to create angle parking spaces on the east side of Maria St.  butting up to our infamous 5 corners intersection.  As someone who is concerned with all aspects of safety in our community, I don’t know how to say it, other than this is a “no brainer”.  This intersection is already a challenge at the best of times and now, from my perspective…and the perspective of many others, you are only adding fuel to the fire for a deadly accident to occur. 

Imagine Mayor McKay if you had your trucked parked in the first space, and Councillor Lawry you had your truck parked in the second space.  Then Mrs. Smith who has had her car parked next attempts to leave and begins to back out.  There is no way she can see oncoming traffic until she is clear of those trucks.  And chances are one of those lights have turned green and another vehicle or two is heading south on Maria.  When he/she sees Mrs. Smith coming out there is nowhere to go.  Your trucks are on their left and other vehicles are parked on the west side.  Did Mrs. Smith cause the accident?  Did your trucks that were obscuring the view cause the accident?  In all fairness I would say “no”.  It was caused by poorly planned parking and traffic flow.   I have heard that a comment was made that speed bumps would slow down traffic on Maria.  I beg to differ.  From my perspective speed bumps will only cause rear-end collisions right at the intersection.

Sometimes we don’t have choices as to how things are done (legislation, existing laws, etc.) but in this case you DO have a choice.  You CAN revert back to the parallel parking that currently exists.  Common sense must prevail.  The plan that currently exists is not all flawed.  The barricade at the south end of the one-way section does need to be improved.  It is amazing how many strangers (at least I hope it is strangers) drive right into that one-way section the wrong way, and proceed to the lights.  Your proposal to improve that point of exit from the one-way section is much appreciated.

So my big question is WHY are you so driven to put in angle parking?  We have been told that it is to increase parking in the down-town core.  And yet no studies have been done to substantiate this.   A number of different residents recorded the parking situation on both Maria St. and Woodstock St. South for approximately 1 week.  As you have seen there was no time when parking was not available in either of these areas.  In fact since the first week in July when a couple of vehicles who would park there for basically the full work day have discontinued doing that, the Maria St. one-way section has been used primarily for what it was intended…a 15 minute stop… get the mail, maybe pick up a prescription and then drive on. 

And on this issue of more parking.  If I may be so bold as to say…I think you have the cart before the horse here.  I think the community would be better served if the money and effort was put into working collaboratively with the local businesses that are here now, and to attract new business.  Tavistock has a Chamber of Commerce.  To me this would be the foundation that you would start with.  Build the business sector, be creative, be welcoming…..or by gosh, you can forget about needing any parking.

In the past month I have had many residents speak to me on the street or call me at home.  All of these residents were saying basically the same thing.  Angle parking on Maria St. is not what they want to see.  It is an accident waiting to happen.

Residents are frustrated.  Many throw up their hands in disgust.  They are tired of not being listened to or even consulted in a timely manner – before decisions have already been made.  They are tired of attending “Community Consultations” where they only appear to be a political, procedural “required to do”.  They are tired of calling their local Councillors and not having their calls returned.  We are tired of hearing all too often “if you don’t like the decision you can always appeal”.

None of us here today are naive enough to think that the job you have to do is an easy task.  It is not.  But only by being more open, transparent and working together will we be able to improve this relationship and improve and enhance our township for those who follow us.                   

QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY SHIRLEY HANLON                     AUGUST 1, 2012

Why was angle parking considered in the first place?

How many parking violations have been issued in Tavistock in the last 2 years?  And where specifically in Tavistock were those tickets issued?

Will you consider having open discussions (not in Closed Session) on how to improve communication with the rate payers of EZT?  Could that agenda include topics such as: sharing long term visions; increasing the utilization of electronic input/feedback;  how to actively engage local existing organizations & service clubs;  improving EZTalk, that I believe is sent to every household in EZT, that people want to open and not see the same old, same old (I’m sure a lot of staff hours are put into creating this, but it could incorporate more relevant and current information)?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Following her presentation Shirley Hanlon presented petitions with a total of 111 signatures.  Combined with what was delivered to the Municipal Office on July 13/12 would now make a total of 281 ratepayers expressing their opposition to angle parking.

As well, parking utilization on Maria St. for three more days following the submission of July 13/12 was also submitted.

Council Meeting... What may result???

East Zorra Tavistock Council agreed to allow four members of the community to address Council today at 1:30 PM. However, unfortunately, Mayor McKay and Councilor Smith were not in attendance for the Community address. Chad Breyer (resident whose property borders the angled parking), Bill Gladding (Resident and Owner of the Tavistock Gazette), Shirley Hanlon (Resident and Community Activist) and Jon ross  (Resident and Community Activist) all took 5 minutes to address the Councilors in attendance (Lazenby, McDonald, Ralph, Fulton and Lawry). So each of the four residents took their 5 minutes and addressed the Council (each of the speeches will be posted here). Upon completion of the four presentations, Maureen Ralph asked Council if they'd like to ask any questions of the speakers and there was silence. Maureen Ralph then asked Council if they'd like to take any action based on the presentations and again, there was silence. Then Ralph asked if Council would like to just accept it as information. Ralph then noted that the Council would answer the questions asked of them and get back to the speakers.

So, the long and short of it is that the Council has done nothing so far, is doing nothing now and may still do nothing. However, we the residents and tax payers have given them every opportunity to do something... Let's see if they have it in them to do the right thing, we have done all that we can!