Robert Kirwan is shown during a meeting with Cecile Coutu
recently discussing the De-amalgamation Petition which is circulating in
Valley East and many other of the outlying communities in the City of
Greater Sudbury.
The petition was distributed during a meeting which was held at the
Centennial Arena on April 24. Over 100 angry residents from Valley East
and Capreol were on hand to express their collective displeasure with the
current municipal government structure. They were demanding
de-amalgamation and a return to the Regional Government system which was
in place prior to January 1, 2001.
"The issue here is not the petition, but rather that the City
Councillors are ignoring the request of a large number of their constituents,"
explained Kirwan. "I know that the Provincial government may not
allow us to de-amalgamate. I know the cost of de-amalgamation may be
prohibitive. Nevertheless, all the local residents are asking is that the
question be put on the ballot in November so that everyone who votes can
express their opinion on the amalgamation. The results will dictate the
follow-up by the new council. However, the refusal to listen to
constituents is indicative of why this whole system is not working.
Councillors have lost touch with the people they represent. Councillors
have separated themselves from the people and seem to feel that they are
above the voters who put them into office. That is what is wrong
here."
Anyone who has a completed petition can drop off the document at
Kirwan's office which is located at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre,
right beside Shelley Martel's office.
LOCAL COMMITTEE BEING FORMED
A meeting was held at the Centennial Arena on Monday, May 15, 2006 for
people who want to force the issue of De-amalgamation.
It was decided
that the group would form an action committee and meet again on Monday,
June 12, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Centennial Arena to take it to the next
level. At that time, it is expected that membership cards will be
available for sale at $2.00 each and also small signs will be purchased to
be displayed on lawns around the area.
Anyone interested in
de-amalgamation is urged to attend the next meeting.
