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A delicate balance
?If ever there was an example of the intimacy of small-town municipal government, this week’s special meeting of Uxbridge Council, called to deal with some planning issues held over from earlier in the summer, was it.
It also was the last meeting for three members of the current council, two of them defeated in the recent election (Mayor Bob Shepherd and Ward 2 Councillor Ted Eng) and one of them leaving by choice (Regional Councillor Howie Herrema). Incoming mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor said all of them have served the Township diligently and conscientiously, and we couldn’t agree more. She said she hoped we would continue to see them in a role of public service, and we wouldn’t be surprised if that included a future run at elected office, perhaps even at a more senior level. Mr. Shepherd will be in his late seventies when the next municipal election rolls around, but activities like running, bridge and piano keep him in all kinds of good shape, so age should not be an issue. He said Monday that he has greatly enjoyed his term as mayor, and the way he said it, you got the feeling that perhaps politics has not seen the last of him.
But as much as those three gentlemen have been diligent and conscientious in their work on Council, this past Monday demonstrated that they and their colleagues, along with Township staff, also have to be extremely sensitive in their dealings with the public. And are very good at it. This writer has covered a lot of municipal councils over the years, and seen politicians who have no hesitation in treating members of the public brusquely, even rudely, but for the most part this Council has been patient, attentive and thorough in trying to understand where those who appear before them, or who write them, are coming from in their appeals to City Hall.
This Monday, Council was dealing with two very complicated situations. The first, discussed in our page 1 story, concerns a popular art gallery which has operated in contravention of Township zoning for more than a decade. Some of its neighbours have finally lost patience with gallery traffic disturbing their weekend peace, and with the uncertainty of liability issues when someone else’s customers are crossing their property. The issue is so thorny that the Township’s planning consultant, Liz Howson, predicted it may take all of three years to resolve.
The second situation is even more delicate, concerning a woman on Ball Road who has 18 Jack Russell terriers in her home. They are essentially her family, although she also trains them for agility exhibitions. Although everyone acknowledges that she gives the dogs excellent care, and the neighbours have no complaints about noise or dogs running at large, the situation is clearly in violation of Township bylaws, and isn’t in the long-term best interests of the health of either the dogs or (as Mr. Eng tried to tactfully point out) the woman herself.
With the help of Township staff, and the patience of all concerned, both these situations will hopefully be satifactorily resolved. But what has been marvellous to watch over the last few months is how these difficulties have drawn the best out of all the participants, including the councillors who are ultimately responsible. It’s how municipal government should work, and kudos to all (including Ms. Howson) for their efforts in finding the way.
