Why stop at one?

Dear editor:
I am writing to express my extreme disappointment that Fort Frances town council voted 4-3 on Monday night to allow developers to destroy the Nelson Street Park—despite overwhelming opposition of the neighbourhood and other concerned townspeople.
The final request of one interested townsperson at a March 12 meeting was that all interested parties be notified of upcoming relevant meetings and votes.
Not only was this not given for Monday night’s meeting, but the vote was oddly slated to take place on a holiday Monday.
Sadly, council and its officials seem to have forgotten that the Nelson Street Park has been designated as such for at least 18 years. In 1990, my dad, Aage Rude, was part of a successful community effort which resulted in a bylaw designating the green space as a park.
It has appeared on town-issued maps as such ever since.
In 2004, the town needed a little reminder of that because the notes and by-law designation from 1990 had somehow been misplaced in town files.
Opponents to the re-zoning have been given little rationale for why the issue is being revisited. The best answer is that “a few inquiries have been made about the availability of lots.”
A few? At least 105 people signed the letter opposing the development in 2004. Who are these “few” and why does their inquiry carry more weight than the much stronger opposition?
The town claims it is in a revenue shortfall position. Selling the park for lots certainly would yield quick money, yet the revenue from the sale and future taxation would be a drop in the bucket of the town’s budget.
One councillor who voted in favour of developing the lots justified his support on the basis of being a “numbers man.”
Well, if it is just about the numbers, why stop at selling one park? The numbers would clearly dictate that the entire riverfront should be sold.
Sincerely,
Marianne Rude
Property owner
1127 Church St.,
Fort Frances, Ont.