Re: Public Engagement for the Proposed New Building

What a disrespectful way to treat your citizens. After recent public relations and community building triumphs regarding Short Term Rentals, library sharing and a local hunting ban, the bureaucrats and Council have appeared to learned some lessons. To avoid opposition to your already chosen path, handle the public contact by scheduling meetings on short notice with as little fanfare as possible, during dinner time, split up in a number of different locations simultaneously so no crowds can occur and no one can attend all three events. All of this just two weeks before Christmas, with everyone busy getting ready for the holidays, including cottagers primarily residing in the city and snowbirds who are already vacationing down south. The only thing better would be a good snow storm on the same day. That would definitely limit public participation.

And, by the way, you are not really been asked your opinion on the central issue of a new municipal complex which you will have to pay for, but only for “engagement” on “features you would like to see in the new Township Administrative Centre”, a decision that appears to have already been made with little public input regarding the possible options for providing additional space for Township staff.

I followed the last election and, with some regret, admit I voted for all five of the current Council members. However, I do not remember any significant discussion or platform by any candidate requesting a mandate to push forward with a new “Administrative Centre” or even to renege on long-standing co-operative, mutually beneficial relationships with our neighbouring municipalities. Over the years, as a fairly frequent visitor to the current town hall, I have wondered about the buildings in back, but I have never observed overcrowded or oppressive working conditions in the areas open to the public. Both my wife and myself, earlier in our lives, have worked in similar conditions in and for various municipalities. The existing municipal building appears dated but not unreasonable for a rural municipality of 10 – 15,000 residents. No doubt with the changing times and, particularly the growth in bureaucracy, some changes need to be made, but to my knowledge, no evidence has been produced that other options were seriously considered.

The website connection provided includes a “Project Roadmap” showing a we are here arrow PRIOR to the beginning of Phase 2 – Site Selection, but from previous announcements, site selection has already occurred, with no public consultation, for an inconvenient and isolated site for the majority of residents at Baseline Road South and Concession 9 East. As someone who has had substantial experience dealing with site location issues, including writing a university thesis on the relationship between home and workplace location decisions, I cannot help but believe the selected or preferred site relates more to easy access to Highway 93 and Highway 12 and the close proximity to the amenities and commercial conveniences available in Midland for staff rather than convenience and accessibility for citizens.

I frequently review and follow Township meeting agendas and minutes and was well aware fo the push for a new “Administrative Centre” going back a number of years, but apparently naively assumed that it would follow a full open process with the release of a proper professional needs study, a thorough open option site review including the current site and possible additional land acquisition at the current site and a thorough review of the financial implications. However, it is becoming clear, at least to me, that the proponents of this project intend for it be dealt with and decided by a committee of staff/politicians with as little involvement from residents as possible.

The timing, multiple locations and stated purpose of this “engagement” opportunity only confirms my suspicions. Perhaps we could learn a lesson and save ourselves some grief by studying the new administration centre being built for Alliston (Simcoe.com Dec. 1/23) which was budgeted for $20 million and is now beyond the deadline, over budget and with no clear time line for occupancy. We should all remember that long after the current bureaucrats and politicians have moved on or retired, Tiny Township residents will be paying for their decisions.

Ted Phelps.

Copeland Creek Drive

Tiny Township