Editor: Kudos to The Times for your web poll on the amalgamation/reunification issue. I voted for amalgamation/reunification and I encourage all your readers to participate in this survey. Two separate 91原创s do nothing for the taxpayers of 鈥淕reater 91原创.鈥�

When I moved to 91原创 in 2004, I was not aware there were two 91原创s, a 鈥渃ity鈥� and a 鈥渢ownship鈥�. It didn鈥檛 make sense to me at the time and, as I have come to know the Greater 91原创 community, it continues to make even less sense. I have been told by councillors on both sides of the invisible fence that many longtime residents don鈥檛 know there are two municipalities.

It has been said that, when oldtimers who supported this great 1950s鈥� divide pass on, resistance to reunification will start to disappear. I ask, why should we wait? To those who suggest 鈥渋f it ain鈥檛 broke, don鈥檛 fix it,鈥� I suggest perhaps the model is truly broken.

Township residents and politicians who favour reunification don鈥檛 want to ruffle City feathers, but maybe they should. Township Mayor Rick Green and several Township councillors have had the courage to talk about the issue, but it is still all talk. City Mayor Peter Fassbender is on record as being adamantly opposed, but has not detailed his reasons.

Mayor Fassbender says a 鈥渂usiness case鈥� is lacking. It is not the taxpayers鈥� job to make a 鈥渂usiness case鈥� for reunification/amalgamation, it is the job of elected officials to give their constituents the biggest bang for their buck, our tax dollars. Where do current City councillors stand on the issue?

As a taxpayer of Greater 91原创, I insist on some answers. If the two municipalities share policing, education and tourism, what does each service cost each municipality? Why do we have two fire departments? I have heard talk that if there was just one fire chief for one 91原创, the City could save $300,000. Is this true? How much would one fire chief save the Township?

Do our two municipalities co-operate on other services? What about parks and recreation? I have heard that the City did not participate in creating McLeod Park and the 91原创 Events Centre, both of which are of benefit to City residents. If this is true, why not?

We are heading toward municipal elections in November. I call on all our elected officials to consider the potential savings (or costs) of amalgamation/reunification. There is surging public concern for a full debate on the issue of amalgamation/reunification and I would welcome other residents鈥� input on the issue. I can be contacted at 1langley@zoho.com.

We are heading toward municipal elections in November. I call on all our elected officials to consider the potential savings (or costs) of amalgamation/reunification. Give us the facts, and let us vote.

Rian Martin,

91原创