Re: Centre of the Universe

Wayne Robinson | Mar 01, 2023

In reference to Jean Brown’s letter of February 15th, 2023

Suggesting that there is a Sharbot Lake Syndrome (AKA Stockholm Syndrome) seems to be a rather extreme overshot of her stated objective of advocating for repairs to the Arden and Henderson Roads.

Rural communities have suffered economic decline throughout my lifetime and continue down that path in our municipality as well.  Many villages having very few businesses of any sort left.  Sharbot Lake has been fortunate enough  to be able to keep a regional high school, a bank, doctors office, three restaurants, post office and a full-service grocery store to name a few.  It might not be the Centre of the Universe but it is a reasonable centre for services to the Township.

Our tax base is stretched to the limit trying to provide services necessary to attract new residents, to keep the old ones and expand our business base.

Jean infers, to my disagreement, that our municipal council is made up of individuals easily influenced and having their governance powers usurped by experts.  In my opinion, that is far from the truth generally and specifically to our council.  Municipal government is the most representative of all levels of government in Canada.  In my fifty years of living and working in this community I have observed committed people campaigning for office based on doing good in their community.  There are 9 councillors representing all four wards on an equal basis and are doing their best to be fair, honest and diligent in delivering sustainable services to the whole township. 

I might suggest that Jean should approach the issue of the repairs to the Arden and Henderson roads from a positive point of view and work with staff and the Council to make her case.  Surely it is not by disparaging councillors and township staff and by spreading near conspiracy theories about Sharbot Lake.  We have had enough negative rhetoric south of the border about “draining the swamp”.  We know how that went.

Good on you Jean for raising an obvious concern and need but it could have been presented in a bit more civil and constructive way.

This is a great place to live and it will take all of our efforts to keep what we have.  Let’s try to work together to make it an even better place.

Wayne Robinson