I recommend that the members of this board – and all FITXers – show their support for the proposed amendments to Lakeshore’s zoning by-laws and Town plan, which are favorable to FITX. I suspect that the amendments will be passed anyway, but there’s certainly no harm in trying to make sure.
The notice about the November 4 meeting to vote on the proposed zoning and Town plan amendments (www.lakeshore.ca/media/files/Notice of 2nd Public Meeting_medical marihuana.pdf) states that: “ ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation in support of or in opposition to the proposed official plan amendment and zoning by-law amendment.” In the Town’s own words, then, you don’t need to be a Lakeshore resident or even a Canadian citizen to have your voice heard for the vote (and how ironic is that what amounts to the Town’s vote on “the FITX nation” will take place on our own nation’s Election Day!).
I contacted Lakeshore to find out exactly what I needed to do to register my support for the proposed amendments. Here is the e-mail response I received from Maureen Lesperance, Planning Coordinator for the Town of Lakeshore:
“Please provide a written letter, addressed to the Clerk, Mary Masse, Town of Lakeshore, 419 Notre Dame Street, Belle River Ontario, N0R 1A0 with your support and/ or concerns regarding the proposed amendments OPA-2-2014 and ZBA-15-2014, scheduled at a public meeting before Council on November 4, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Your letter can be accepted as received correspondence by email to my attention at mlesperance@lakeshore.ca or by fax at 1-519-728-4577.”
Some points to consider if you do decide to submit a testimonial in support: The focus should be entirely on the amendments’ potential benefits to the community and its citizens, and not in any way on CenBio, its investors, or what’s been going on with FITX since late last year. In fact, I strongly suggest not mentioning CenBio at all because any mention might bring into question the real (or at least, additional) motive behind your support for the proposed amendments – and this might discredit your testimonial in the eyes of the Town Council. Keep it short and sweet, be specific, avoid rhetoric (don’t editorialize about how MMJ and hemp are going to save the planet, or some such BS), and accentuate the positive with respect to the community.
I have submitted my letter of support, and here’s what I wrote:
“Dear Ms. Masse:
I am writing in strong support of proposed amendments OPA-2-2014 and ZBA-15-2014, which are scheduled to be heard at a public meeting before Council on November 4, 2014. I believe that these proposals will prove to be of great economic benefit to Lakeshore and its residents because they will provide a firm basis for the local establishment of a new and burgeoning industry that will draw investment, create numerous employment opportunities, and provide substantial tax revenues that can be used to improve local infrastructure and enhance services to the community.
Respectfully submitted……..”
I signed it with only my name and e-mail address (no mailing address that would show my physical location)
According to Ms. Esperance’s instructions, you can submit your “vote” by e-mail or fax. To be on the safe side, I did both.
Get out the vote!
The notice about the November 4 meeting to vote on the proposed zoning and Town plan amendments (www.lakeshore.ca/media/files/Notice of 2nd Public Meeting_medical marihuana.pdf) states that: “ ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation in support of or in opposition to the proposed official plan amendment and zoning by-law amendment.” In the Town’s own words, then, you don’t need to be a Lakeshore resident or even a Canadian citizen to have your voice heard for the vote (and how ironic is that what amounts to the Town’s vote on “the FITX nation” will take place on our own nation’s Election Day!).
I contacted Lakeshore to find out exactly what I needed to do to register my support for the proposed amendments. Here is the e-mail response I received from Maureen Lesperance, Planning Coordinator for the Town of Lakeshore:
“Please provide a written letter, addressed to the Clerk, Mary Masse, Town of Lakeshore, 419 Notre Dame Street, Belle River Ontario, N0R 1A0 with your support and/ or concerns regarding the proposed amendments OPA-2-2014 and ZBA-15-2014, scheduled at a public meeting before Council on November 4, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Your letter can be accepted as received correspondence by email to my attention at mlesperance@lakeshore.ca or by fax at 1-519-728-4577.”
Some points to consider if you do decide to submit a testimonial in support: The focus should be entirely on the amendments’ potential benefits to the community and its citizens, and not in any way on CenBio, its investors, or what’s been going on with FITX since late last year. In fact, I strongly suggest not mentioning CenBio at all because any mention might bring into question the real (or at least, additional) motive behind your support for the proposed amendments – and this might discredit your testimonial in the eyes of the Town Council. Keep it short and sweet, be specific, avoid rhetoric (don’t editorialize about how MMJ and hemp are going to save the planet, or some such BS), and accentuate the positive with respect to the community.
I have submitted my letter of support, and here’s what I wrote:
“Dear Ms. Masse:
I am writing in strong support of proposed amendments OPA-2-2014 and ZBA-15-2014, which are scheduled to be heard at a public meeting before Council on November 4, 2014. I believe that these proposals will prove to be of great economic benefit to Lakeshore and its residents because they will provide a firm basis for the local establishment of a new and burgeoning industry that will draw investment, create numerous employment opportunities, and provide substantial tax revenues that can be used to improve local infrastructure and enhance services to the community.
Respectfully submitted……..”
I signed it with only my name and e-mail address (no mailing address that would show my physical location)
According to Ms. Esperance’s instructions, you can submit your “vote” by e-mail or fax. To be on the safe side, I did both.
Get out the vote!
