Dear Editor (plus mayor and council),

It was disappointing to see the majority of council support a motion to defer any progress on a tree protection bylaw for 91原创 Township until 2019.

Definitely expected, definitely predictable, yet most disappointing.

This will no doubt become a focal point in the upcoming civic elections.

Shifting the responsibility to any incoming future mayor and council is an poorly thought out plan.

Delaying tree protection will result in numerous more clear cuts in developed Brookswood, and also in other areas of 91原创 Township.

There have been more than a few examples recently where local developers and land speculators maliciously show a wanton disregard for the existing character of our Township.

I don鈥檛 think anyone expects mayor and council to zap strap or chain themselves to trees, excavators, or property gates.

However, you do need 鈥� at some point 鈥� to realize and accept the fact that as council for the Township of 91原创 you carry the obligation to represent all.

The dogged support of Mayor [Jack] Froese and Councillors [Charlie] Fox, [Blair] Whitmarsh, [Bob] Long, and [Angie] Quaale towards the development community鈥� including lack of support for a tree protection bylaw 鈥� will hopefully be tempered following this year鈥檚 elections.

The recent delegations promoting a tree protection bylaw are to be commended for providing insightful, relevant, and supportive evidence for such a bylaw.

It鈥檚 time to stop putting up roadblocks of being in a 鈥渞egulated community鈥� or of stating that previous councils have 鈥渢ried and failed.鈥�

Where there is a will there is a way.

The position by Mayor Froese that it takes a long time to draft and enact bylaws does not provide support for the deferral faction.

To the contrary this should motivate mayor and council to get to work on this bylaw immediately.

Ah, but there鈥檚 still this; 鈥渨here there鈥檚 a will there鈥檚 a way鈥� issue.

This is the big problem people. The pro-development faction on council does not appear to have the will, or in fact any interest in working towards a Township wide tree protection bylaw.

Once again, hopefully this will change post-election.

Better yet reverse this deferral. Start now. You saw fit to reconsider the 2017 Brookswood Fernridge OCP right? You voted it down initially right? You flip flopped and supported it upon reconsideration right?

Why not do the jobs you were elected to do on behalf of all of 91原创 Township.

Start with a motion to 鈥渂egin detailed work on a tree protection bylaw for all areas of 91原创 Township.鈥�

All areas not in the ALR need to be protected now.

Research and find a way to prevent ALR lands from being exploited and clear cut for uses and plans other than farming.

Brian Cameron, 91原创