In response to Mayor Saywell

The Editor,
In response to Mr. John Saywell, mayor of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, who brought up certain points and asked specific questions:
First to be addressed is urbanism. No definition of the word “urban” fits Grenville-sur-la-Rouge. Calumet and Pointe-au-Chene are separate and would be described as semi-rural. There are no public transport systems, centres for arts, sports, or higher education; none of the items which urban planners plan. It will probably be a long time before a car is not needed here, so roads are needed.
Let councillors micro manage. They are picked by the voters and are the ones who know the township and have a finger on the heartbeat of the citizens. Paid urban managers will find something to manage even if there is nothing. That is their job.
Having a municipality without debt is desirable and probably possible if we live within our means. Think rural. Urban is not a population density of eight people per square kilometre.
If given only a choice between becoming a sleepy subdivision or re-inventing the wheel, take the sleepy subdivision. But census figures show that Grenville-sur-la-Rouge’s population has grown by only about 60 heads in the past five years. Also, for Mirabel sprawl to reach here, it has to pass through Lachute, Brownsburg-Chatham, etc. Please do not count on this too heavily.
The “public” should be involved in all, which will cost them money or property rights, and citizens feel their say has value. Which brings up the point of a new municipal hall. There is not the taxpayer base to afford this. Sit tight.
Leave our children and our old folks with a little money in their pockets and one will look after the other. It has been such and can be again.
Deal with what is here and what makes our township, not town, special: “rural.” Old farms and private lakes. Places tucked away in the hills. Property owners who neither want nor need anyone telling them how to manage their land in which they take pride, hold dear, and wish to live on in peace. Consider that original land grant patents are common in this township.
Less is more in rural politics. Take pride in what we have and quit trying to make it fit urban. Have the courage to celebrate our ruralism. It is our history, our culture and the reason many live here.

Note to the editor: Since I wrote the letter regarding incandescent light bulbs, the American congress gave them an indefinite reprieve on December 16. I believe Ontario has delayed its ban for two years.

Gordon Fraser,
Grenville-sur-la-Rouge