If you think one individual can’t make a difference, let’s meet Takuma Nakamura.
He and his family have been Arnprior residents since 2022, and has put a lot of thought into how growing one’s own veggies can address local food insecurity issues.
Nakamura would like to change the municipal water use bylaw to spare a relatively few drops of the summer supply for local home food gardeners.
He made a request to be a delegation at Council June 22nd- and went just 60 seconds over the allotted ten minutes for presentations, and had elected representatives convinced.
Nakamura reminded civic leaders that Arnprior Water-Use 101 isn’t yet a decade old.
The home gardener says supplementing what Mother Nature supplies isn’t that odious at all.
His suggestion is no panacea- but every little bit helps.
Economic factors have pushed the cost of fresh produce up, as we’re all aware.
Rain barrels are a recognized additional water-source not available to apartment dwellers- and can include contaminants.
The average home garden only requires 26.78 litres of water per season, versus the water lost in keeping one’s vehicle clean.
Nakamura even came with the suggested wording for a Water Use Bylaw amendment.
He says climate change has meant drier summers- so now’s the time to take action.
The home gardener says his simple suggestion conforms with National objectives.
Mayor Lisa McGee thanked Nakamura for concisely stating his case, and elected representatives concurred with adopting is changes at the next Council meeting- with one enhancement: his proposal for a “non-commercial personal use” exemption be expanded to include institutions and existing community gardens.
By Rick Stow
