I write in response to a number of ongoing issues within Whitewater township, and I have been stirred wintin to offer the following .
As recently as March 4th issue of Whitewater news paper, there was an ad placed by concerned citizens regarding the highway act, and the blatant disregard of recreation vehicles to drive, not only along the sides of streets,thus in total disregard of any pedestrian , since few, if any street has sidewalks, yet these users drive the middle of the street also often at highway speed.
This became increasingly noticeable to me in the village of Cobden when the former railroad trail was made more accessible, with its direct access from the lake up Astrolabe now being used like a race track.
I was of the understanding that when the trail originally opened it was to be an inclusive and shared resource for walkers, bicyclists, cross country skiers. snowshoers etc; yet no respect for other users has been witnessed from the motorized drivers. In fact it has grown into excessive intimidation “ power is might and therefore has the right”
All the while this has been going on, The Whitewater Township , currently through a task force, has requested input toward “age friendly community ; and only recently did I learn there has never been a noise by law,in this township except as it pertains to animal control , so one is currently being drafted .
Full disclosure here;my spouse is a member of the above named task force. I recently forwarded a document to the township offering practices for creating a user friendly community based on research from Health education on noise pollution; for example: that any sound above 70 decibels is considered “noise; and the document sent by me expanded upon this research.
March 2 Ottawa Citizen article motivated my long held observations and have brought me to a place of courage to speak out and speak up through this medium.
Residents of this township, what an opportune time to demand action to make our communities more user friendly and thus encourage a lifestyle that would reduce both noise pollution and our carbon footprint .
All ages begin life by being introduced/ encouraged to take their first steps: to walk, or to go for a stroll with an adult ; then gradually move to using a tricycle, a bicycle, a skateboard .
Each activity encourages our young to be active, healthy, at little expense to the household income.Bonus here: no recreation buildings required.
Thus, all of the above activities have no carbon foot print just our own feet being active . Every age benefits.
Why then are so many of our streets and sidewalks in such disarray? Why so little green space for play?
In winter neighbourhood streets are not adequately cleared and salted; There is poor lightning and a shortage of crosswalks..
Just look at the number of folk hurrying between traffic and parked vehicles to get to the other side of any of the main streets in our villages.
Safety issues indeed!
Walking requires adequate lighting, in addition to wheelchair accessible curbs., which would benefit not only wheelchairs but also strollers, canes, walking aids.
Growing neighbourhoods require sidewalks and adequate space for cyclists and pedestrians.along each street in addition to lowering the speed limits.
Safety experts around the world offer statistics that can not be ignored . One example given in the research : walkers have a 90% chance of survival when struck by a vehicle traveling 30km/hr; but only a 50% chance at 50km/hr and virtually zero percent at 80km/hr.
Forward thinking communities establish more 30km zones in pedestrian areas.
I have lived in two of the villages within this township and for varied reasons frequently spent time in all others.
People of Whitewater Township, we must make our needs known for user friendly, healthy communities .
Will you speak up and add your voice to mine so those who make decisions that affect the present and future lives in this valley, will hear loud and clear that these necessary infrastructure changes can no longer be ignored.????
The safety and quality of life for all ages requires an immediate action plan.
Sincerely,
Margie Paterson
