Picadilly Fire Hall

Jun 12, 2024

I read the account of the last council meeting and want to voice my support for the position that Councillor Nicki Gowdy took with regard to the Piccadilly fire sub-station.

The Mayor and the Fire Chief rightly point out that there is a responsibility to the whole township and that the Chief has both operational and managerial control of the fire service. No one disputes this.

But it should also be pointed out that the area directly affected by this degrading of service is part of the Township – that those residents affected are Central Frontenac ratepayers, paying Central Frontenac taxes and subject to Central Frontenac by-laws. I would also point out that during the last term of council, Hinchinbrooke saw the most growth in single family permanent dwelling building permits of any of the 4 districts. In short, the number of people affected by this situation is growing and will grow even more in the coming decade. Surely, in terms of both political representation and provision of emergency services this would factor into the math.

There is no question that automatic aid with South Frontenac is required, but those agreements are always at the discretion of both parties. What if South Frontenac pulled out of an agreement? Yes there would still be “mutual aid” as a fallback, but that would require CFFR leadership to first make a determination, then make a formal call for help before the first South Frontenac firefighter is mobilized. Relying on the good will of neighbours for the safety and security of one-quarter of your area is a strategy that may work – until it doesn’t.

And yes, council as a whole has a responsibility to the entire township. During the last term, I chaired the township’s Economic Development Committee, as well as the effort behind the Revitalization Plan for Sharbot Lake. Sharbot Lake wasn’t in my district, but its success was important for the township as a whole and my hope was that it would be the template for similar revitalization efforts in Arden, Parham, Tichborne and Godfrey. That is still my hope.

I have heard many complain that we don’t "think as a township", that the loyalties to the old districts still divide us. I disagree. I believe that what divides us is the sense that some areas are more important than others and that there is an unequal treatment. I think those same people want a united township where every district is a strong and valued partner.

I trust that all involved in this issue will embrace that spirit and work to ensure that we don’t leave parts of our community behind.

Brent Cameron