In
that article, I refer to data from Statistics Canada for the period from
1971 to 2001 that indicate that Valley East grew in population by 25%
while the former City of Sudbury, which includes the South End, declined
in population by 15%.
During
that same time period, the number of households in Valley East went up by
106% while the former City of Sudbury saw a 37% increase.
During
the 2005 calendar year, Valley East had the highest number of housing
sales of any of the seven municipal regions.
One
look around Valley East will provide you with clear evidence of the rapid
growth this municipality is experiencing. In the past several years, every
single school board has either constructed, or made a commitment to
constructing new schools. That alone is a great sign of growth and
confidence in the community.
In
addition, the housing market in Valley East appeals to everyone, not only
to people who can afford to build $300,000 and $400,000 homes, but young
families who must find starter homes that are under $150,000.
With
respect to the relocating of Tasse Automobiles to the South End, this is a
tremendous example of what is happening in the City of Greater Sudbury
since amalgamation.
I
am sure that Mr. Richard Tasse did not decide to relocate on his own. His
Corporate Master, General Motors, either made the decision for him, or had
a great deal of influence. And once again, a Grade 8 could have seen it
coming once the other competitors built their "super
dealerships" on Regent Street South. With Mid North Motors on the
Kingsway, and Crosstown Automobile on Falconbridge Road, it was pretty
much a necessity for a GM dealership to be placed on Regent Street South
to go head to head with the other "super dealerships". Rather
than establish a 4th GM Dealership in the area, it obviously became more prudent to
relocate one of the existing ones, and the finger pointed to Tasse
Automobiles. And, in order to make sure that the businesses locating in
the South End are rewarded, the rock tunnel sewer project puts the icing
on the cake, thus ensuring the development of a higher socio-economic
market in the South End - a place where housing prices are among the
highest in the region.
The
rock tunnel project is proof positive that the
City is clearly, without question, making it easier and more attractive to
develop businesses in the former City of Sudbury than in the outlying
areas of the region. It is obvious from the Secondary Plan that the strategy
is to "pull" development towards the "core" of the
City and not encourage any further "expansion" to the outside.
If
we were still under "Regional Government", the City of Valley
East would have gone out of its way in an attempt to attract more
businesses and residential development in our community. The Town of
Rayside Balfour would have been able to use the revenue from the Slots to
make development in that community more attractive. Now that there is no
fear of competition from the outlying communities, the former City of
Sudbury is free to do everything in its power to promote development in
the South End; the New Sudbury Area; the Downtown Core; and the Power
Centre along the Kingsway. All roads lead to Sudbury.
I
can assure you, that as long as there are "old-timers" who were
committed to the Regional Government system, which encouraged healthy
competition between the outlying municipalities, and which encouraged economic
development throughout the boundaries of the current City of Greater
Sudbury, there will be people who despise amalgamation for all its
worth.
Under
the old system, we all had a chance to hold our own and a chance to build
a future. However, the statistics clearly showed that before amalgamation
the former City of Greater Sudbury was losing the battle with the outside.
Instead of changing its approach and trying to do things better, it
encouraged and supported a "municipal restructuring" which
eliminated the competition. This "restructuring" was supported
by such high profile groups as The Silver Seven, a group of which I know you are familiar.
All
we have to show for five years of futile attempts to implement this
restructuring is less service at a higher cost and the complete
dismantling of the community spirit which once existed within the outlying
municipalities.
We
see "smatterings of development" here and there, once in a
while. But this is akin to the smoldering one would see after a forest
fire. The main flames have been extinguished, but the smoke will still
rise from several places until the entire fire is once and for all put
out.
Prior
to amalgamation, we had fires burning all over the place. It was
impossible to put out the spirit. This was seen as being
"divisive" by many local leaders who supported amalgamation.
Unfortunately, instead of bringing everyone together in a spirit of unity,
adopting a "for the common good of all" atmosphere, amalgamation
has created the divisiveness it was trying to prevent.
Let
me make it perfectly clear that ELECTION 2006 will be about a lot of major
issues, and the "divisiveness" factor will become evident before
very long. This is going to be an epic battle of the INSIDE vs the
OUTSIDE. It is not going to be a "love-in".
At
the end of it all, it is my hope that the flames once again shoot high and
that the Greater Sudbury Area can head into a promising future.
