A crowd of at least 120 Arnpriorites rallied to the cause of the “Save the Grove Again” public information session held Saturday afternoon in the community.
Fresh from speaking at that gathering, spokesperson Lacey Smith visited Oldies 107.7 studios to get us up to speed.
The session was held at 1PM at Emmanuel Anglican Church, at the corner of Harrington and Ottawa Streets.
If the matter is to be broached at Arnprior Council this evening, it would have to be part of Lisa McGee’s Mayor’s Report, which will come near the conclusion of the session.
Lacey hadn’t imagined herself taking a lead role as a public speaker.
And a third presenter highlighted the rarity of the old growth we tend to take for granted.
Smith notes the original Save the Grove battle was an eleven-year fight, but in today’s pro-development context at Queen’s Park, the imperative of organizing is heightened as the windows of opportunity diminish.
Mayor Lisa McGee’s public missive Friday noted some of the steps that possibly prolong the process in an effort to mediate public expectation; these include a lengthy process that would involve an Environmental Impact Study, and a Zoning Change Application at the very least.
But Lacey believes there have been many items at least partially addressed by the developer, Thomas Cavanagh Construction, in advance of the formal closure of the 20 acre sale.
Alternatives to a possible subdivision could be community ownership through the 20 acres being acquired by the Town, or a parcel being acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (who own the present Gillies Grove proper); Smith says the NCC indicated this possibility to the Galilee Centre a year ago.
As time is of the essence, here’s how to get informed or in touch.
Save the Grove, Again (savethegroveagain.com) or email to savethegroveagain@gmail.com
By Rick Stow
