It appears that the old adage “there is strength in numbers’ applies as the Port Elgin Beachers Association reports that Unifor Family Education Centre in Port Elgin is not moving forward with a planned parking area on Shipley Avenue for hybrid vehicles requiring charging stations.
The 300-member Beachers raised concerns when a parking area was being developed without Unifor applying for permission from the Town of Saugeen Shores for the project.
Among concerns of the Association was that the area planned for parking was on a well-traveled route by both pedestrians and cyclists to Gobles Grove beach on Lake Huron and was also located at an area zoned as an environmental hazard designation. Even more of a concern was that appropriate permits and permissions had not been applied for through the proper building/zoning municipal process.
“We support council becoming more active in determining planning outcomes versus automatically accepting the County planner’s decision. The Beacher Organization’s mission statement says we will engage in issues affecting the lifestyles of our members. The Gobles Grove residents impacted by this project spoke in one voice unanimously petitioning against this development. It demonstrates we can make a difference on issues we feel strongly about when we communicate those sentiments effectively,” says Beacher President, Greg Schmalz.
