Saturday March 23: AWARE Simcoe to unveil new vision for Simcoe County

AWARE Simcoe news release – March 11. 2013,

It’s time to get growth under control and put food and water first.  But how?

AWARE Simcoe’s vision of a sustainable future for Simcoe County is up for discussion at a public meeting in Bradford.

 “AWARE Simcoe challenges the very notion that growth is necessary and always beneficial to the community,” says Sandy Agnew, chair of the group’s growth committee. “Our vision preserves farmland, protects source water supplies, preserves our natural heritage and builds sustainable, healthy communities.”

Date:                       Saturday March 23-2013, 9:30 a.m.-noon

Place:                      St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2940 10th Sideroad, Bradford ON

Topic:                      A Vision for Simcoe County: an Alternative to Unsustainable Growth and Higher Taxes

Guest speaker:   Carl Cosack (NDACT)

Chair:                      Jamie Rheaume (Holland Marsh Growers Association

Meade Helman of AWARE Bradford West Gwillimbury notes that Bradford has gone from a small farming community to a mini metropolis where people sleep before heading off to Toronto through subdivisions sitting on prime farmland. “Somehow growth never delivers on its promises of low taxes and good times,” Helman says. Residents inevitably find themselves on the hook to fund the cost of expansion, he adds. “New development never pays the full cost of growth, everyone else does.”

 Guest speaker Carl Cosack of the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) will talk about theneed to translate his community’s battle against the mega-quarry into a province-wide campaign to protect farmland and source water. NDACT has started a new campaign called ‘Food and Water First.’

AWARE Simcoe growth committee members Bill French and Bernard Pope will present the group’s vision for Simcoe County. There will be a discussion of the goals and strategies outlined in the document.  A summary is posted on the group’s website at https://www.aware-simcoe.ca/aware/aboutus/3525-vision.html and copies of the draft vision can be obtained by emailing aware-simcoe@gmail.com.

Carpooling is available for people coming from the north of the county. From the north – 705-526-9883, from the east 705-329-3628, from the west – 705-466-2000 

Link to Vision summary