Please find part two of two emails, and the result of collective efforts. Again, there is lots of information that we want to share with you in this email. Especially the presentation to Council for all those who could not attend in person. Thank you again for your support. (If you missed our first update, you can find it here on our website)
On February 4, SOTB was granted the opportunity to bring what is called ‘a delegation’ before council to present our detailed proposal to rehabilitate the bridge. SOTB would present our petition and then outline our findings and proposal. Council allows a delegation 10 minutes to present, and strictly enforces adherence to the time limit. It doesn’t matter how complicated or important a proposal may be, 10 minutes is all you get.
Two of our SOTB members were to present. Caroline would introduce SOTB and offer the 1050* name petition into the records. (*We continue to garner support; we have collected 1,102 signatures as of today.) Caroline had 90 seconds, which left Michael, our CPR engineer, 8 minutes and 30 seconds. We had put together a Powerpoint complete with photos and a breakdown of costs.
Click here for the Powerpoint presentation
Click here for speaking notes.
We stopped our presentation at precisely 10 minutes, and although we had more to share, there was no time. Many residents joined the meeting that night, and were able to experience the process. Councillors speak amongst themselves, and can ask questions of the delegation. The audience was not able to contribute, nor ask questions. SOTB was not allowed to ask questions of councillors nor offer a comment to clarify anything. We would have liked to have an open discussion about everything we had learned, and help council make an informed decision. It didn’t quite work like that.
We did have a show of support from Mr. Joe Pal, who with his investors, owns properties on Mill Street. He submitted a letter to the clerk in support of our petition to investigate the repair of the bridge. He reflects on the connection with Gananoque’s industrial past and the value of the bridge for citizens of future housing on Mill Street. Read the letter here.
There were also many other emails written to Council and the Mayor, by residents and supporters, but they were not included in the Agenda package.
Mr. Roney also provided – unsolicited – a Submission to Develop Request for Proposals for Rehabilitation of the King Street Pedestrian Bridge. The Town accepted the proposal, and decided to take it into an in-camera (closed-door) session. The attendees at the delegation were not aware that Mr. Roney had prepared this document. See Mr. Roney’s proposal here.
Here is Council’s motion – “Receives for information…”
On April 3rd, the RFT or Request for Tenders for
King Street Pedestrian Bridge Removal was released.
Click here to access Document 1.
Click here to access Document 2.