West End can simply wait

It got busy last week and I think I fell behind. So, we will catch up over the next couple of days.

If you were unable to attend the “Town Hall” that was hosted last week at the RecPlex, you really should watch the recording. (Attached link)

I took the time to watch it and it certainly gave me plenty of topics for future discussions.

Of particular interest are the answers/ non answers when people asked about the eventual modernization and widening of Mosley Street from 45th to the roundabout.

The answer was actually partly answered directly and also by paying attention to OTHER answers or to several statements made when explaining next steps with various projects.

So, in setting priorities, our Council has made it clear that residents in the West End can simply wait. Council wants their party planning corporation. They want their Condos at Beach One. Mayor Smith even expressed the hopes that a sales office would be open later this year.

The developer (FRAM) who shared the stage with Mayor Smith at the 2019 Pitchfork’s and Hatchet’s meeting is the person who will get all development rights to our beach front properties.

We will see preliminary artist conception for their plans in the next few weeks. This is an important area to our current Council. This is why the town needs to spend millions getting it ready for FRAM. I assume Council also plans to continue hosting their collection of free concerts down by the new condos when they are built, so they feel that is a priority over improved roads for all.

I get it, priorities need to be set.

Traditionally, our town has done all of the preliminary work to make these massive roadworks project shovel ready. That includes things like utility moves, engineering, etc. The reason they do this is that on a regular basis, the Province and the Federal Government offer grants for these type of infrastructure projects. But usually the projects need to be shovel ready in order to apply. This is how other sections of Mosley Street and River Road West have been completed in the past.

So… that’s it, we wait 10 years or more. It’s that simple… these are Council Priorities. We vote for them, and they get elected, then there is nothing to stop them for four years. They can choose to forget their promises and set new priorities once they are in power.

It’s great at least, that they have been transparent regarding these projected delays for Mosley Street. After all, it’s all about money and we are told that in order for the Developer to get on with his plans at Beach One, there are MILLIONS to be spent by the Town at the Main End.

But wait… Don’t forget we are also in the midst of a 21 Million Dollar Roadworks project on River Road West. It seems THAT project was so important that our Council didn’t even take the time to apply for any grants. THAT project was approved despite falling into a tax year where Council approved one of the biggest municipal tax increases in history. That project was also approved during the year the tax increases continued to be blamed on our past Councils building of the TPAL.

So… I would like to know why preparing Beach One for Tourists is a priority over improving Mosley Street West for residents who use it every day?

I would also like to know why River Road West did manage to become a high priority. Perhaps Councilor White can answer as he lives in the present construction zone and his election campaign promised action on THAT issue. He and his immediate neighbours get THEIR road.