LETTER TO THE EDITOR FROM A WINTERBOURNE RESIDENT

Today's just out (and not on-line yet) Woolwich Observer carrys this Letter from Mr. Paul Marrow titled "Winterbourne has already suffered enough". His letter certainly gives a birds eye, resident's view of "progress" via development. He and his family have lived in Winterbourne for thirty years and initially moved there for all the usual reasons that people enjoy rural living. Peace and quiet are simply part of the equation. His letter describes the ever ongoing and expanding traffic woes through Winterbourne and including Crowsfoot Corner between Winterbourne and Conestogo.

Specifically regarding the Jigs hollow Pit he states "We had been resigned to the Jigs Hollow pit despite the fact that it is directly upwind of us, but we thought we had the assurance of council that the recycling and topsoil functions had been eliminated. Apparently we were misled, as both functions were approved. So not only do we have the eyesore of a pit along with the associated noise and dust, but we have the extra nuisance of the sound and smell of concrete and asphalt recycling.".

There are of course still the upriver West Montrose Pit (Capitol Paving) and the downriver Hunder Pit by Conestogo in the proposal stage. What I find most upsetting is both the loss of enjoyment of their property but also the longterm financial loss that all nearby residents will suffer. Nobody in their right minds will buy a home beside two or more new gravel pits that will be around for a very long time. This is a direct financial loss that neither Woolwich Council nor the Ontario Municipal Board seem willing to acknowledge. This is a direct transfer of wealth and asets from numerous citizens into the pockets of the gravel pit operators. Apparently it isn't theft or stealing as long as you play by the rules that you and yours have lobbied politicians long and hard for.

I believe that the local councillor, Bonnie Bryant, voted against the Jigs Hollow Pit. I expect that she will also vote against the Hunder Pit. If this second pit is eventually approved by Council I hope that the local residents take out their justifiable anger appropriately. They can't vote against other councillors who vote in favour of the Hunder Pit but they sure as heck can vote against the mayor if he lets them down.