Residents need to stand up against development

Residents who care about Caledon need to take a strong stand against the ongoing tactics by the Solmar Corporation and the so-called Coalition of Concerned Residents and Businesses of Bolton (CCRBB) to ramp through its unwanted and unneeded South Albion development.

It's not enough to send a quick e-mail to Mayor Morrison indicating support for her principled and courageous stand on managing growth. The mayor and other councillors need to see your support in print or by petition.

Many of Bolton's business owners apparently don't support the CCRBB. But they need to be more vocal on this issue and let their patrons and customers know where they stand. So also do church and religious leaders. Preserving the environment and quality of life are spiritual issues of the utmost importance.

Consider bombarding Councillors Annette Groves and Jason Payne with phone calls and letters of opposition. While the next municipal election is some time way, it's not too early for Ward 5 (Bolton) residents to start searching for suitable candidates that will ensure these two pro-Solmar councillors are assured of a sound defeat.

Call or write other council members and ask them to stiffen their resolve and not to deviate from the Town's 2021 population forecast plan, which is based on sound planning principles.

This truly is the battle to preserve this area from Vaughan developers who have little or no concern about the environment, the preservation of local history or the character of Caledon. One only has to look next door to Vaughan where once picturesque centres such as Maple and Woodbridge have disintegrated into an endless sea of homes. Even Kleinburg, the home of the iconic McMichael Art Gallery, is falling victim to sprawl.

A few years ago, the Town of Caledon was judged the Greenest Town in Ontario by TV Ontario. If we don't win this battle, that distinction will be but a distant memory. Instead, Caledon will simply known as north Woodbridge.
Dan O'Reilly,
Wildfield