Alton Village Association formed to participate in plan

Founding members of the Alton Village Association (AVA) will be undertaking a village-wide membership blitz in the coming weeks. The AVA was incorporated by several residents as a follow-up to a visioning exercise last year and in anticipation of renewed planning activity by the Town of Caledon.

Current AVA members believe the community's future depends on residents collectively expressing their views and wishes during the planning process.

Recently, Caledon council reactivated the planning process for Alton, one that has been under way since 1991. This process will decide what the village will be in the future as well as the pace of change.

To obtain a membership or additional information, please contact Paul Newall at 519-941-2629.

Alton is facing some exciting opportunities and challenging issues in the next few years. Many of these have been identified and discussed by the community in various planning consultations since 1991. A growing population; the need for improved and or new infrastructure; the density and form of new development; water quality in the river; village amenities; and traffic are some examples.

In August, Caledon council authorized the hiring of a contract staff person to restart and complete the Alton Village Study by the spring of 2008. Community consultation will continue to be part of the study process.

Last year, the community contributed its own document to the Town of Caledon through a vision process organized by some local residents. In anticipation of renewed planning activity by the Town of Caledon and the importance of the opportunities and challenges facing our community, several residents have formed the Alton Village Association.

The general purposes of the organization are:

* To work collectively to protect and enhance the quality of life, the environment, the character and the community of residents and businesses of Alton.

* To collect and share information regarding issues, events and developments affecting the residents and businesses of Alton.

* To monitor and respond to the policies, procedures and actions of the various governing bodies councils and committees whose plans, bylaws and decisions may affect the residents and businesses of Alton.

* To advocate and initiate on behalf of the membership.

Each two-year membership ($10 per) grants one vote on decisions made by the AVA. The current directors will conduct the affairs of the association until the general membership is established and elections are held at the first annual general meeting in the spring of 2008. In the interim the founding directors may elect a slate of officers from within their number. These directors shall also present a slate of officers to the first general meeting.