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LETTER: 10 questions for incumbent mayor, MBL supporters

'Why, after waiting for 10 years for movement on MBL, would a six-month pause to ensure the development represents majority of Midlanders' vision for our town not be the most appropriate course of action?'
Letter to the Editor

MidlandToday welcomes letters to the editor [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following is in response to a column that ran Wednesday, Oct. 19 entitled Midland election comes down to vote over MBL's future.

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Probably the most contentious and divisive issue with this year's election is the Midland Bay Landing development. Whether you are in favour of the current master plan or would prefer a more community based waterfront, I believe 10 questions need to be asked of those who are pushing hard for the current proposal.

  1. Why, after dragging their feet for 10 years, was there such a sense of urgency to sign an agreement just before an election?
  2.  If the current master plan is only a concept then how was a fair market price determined for the property and a developer chosen?
  3. Are there legal assurances that the public park space will be both accessible and of a high quality and not hidden amongst or behind condos?
  4. There was overwhelming support initially and currently that most of the land be used for public parks so why was the master plan developed contrary to the public wants?
  5. Midland housing has grown by 21.1% from 2010 to 2020 yet there has been no tangible benefit in services or tax relief. In fact, our taxes (already amongst the highest in Ontario) continue to grow faster than the rate of inflation - can the mayor produce quantifiable proof that more development will provide a reduction in taxes for Midland as MBL supporters have touted?
  6. Housing affordability is a real issue for Midland, and even with the previously mentioned growth rates, our house prices and rents have soared. Will the MBL development include affordable housing options for both rent and purchase or will they be more unaffordable luxury accommodation like the rest of our waterfront housing?
  7. A vibrant and successful downtown core is key to having a liveable and desirable town. How does adding retail space and increasing competition away from our core help our downtown businesses thrive and be successful?
  8. From Tiffin to Bayport, the majority of our waterfront is already taken from public use. Do we really need more of this precious resource turned into condos?
  9. The timing of the election meant a referendum on MBL could have easily been held, thus ensuring the will of the people was followed. Why did MBL supporters not wish to hear what the residents of Midland actually wanted in the MBL development?
  10. Why, after waiting for 10 years for movement on MBL, would a six-month pause to ensure the development represents the majority of Midlanders' vision for our town not be the most appropriate course of action?

Regardless of where you fall on this issue, this election is an extremely important one for Midland so please take the time to learn about the candidates and then take a few minutes to vote. The future of Midland’s waterfront depends on it.

Andrew Walker