The following letter was sent to the Municipal Clerk, the Mayor, and the Members of Council.
I’ve been fully occupied during the exchange among residents, businesses and council about the additional parking lots requested by Bruce Anchor and Blue Heron but I hope it’s not too late to share some personal experience related to this issue.
Early in the afternoon of Friday, the 2nd of July this year, I set out to do grocery shopping before (I thought) the long weekend onslaught. Honestly, I did suspect I might be too late.
The first significant hold-up was at Singing Sands where folks were trying to get themselves parked and avoid frightening or even doing injury to the pedestrians crossing to the Sands.
The second was the construction – scrub that – it’s not part of the ongoing situation.
The third was the infamous Hay Bay Rd. / Hwy #6 intersection where we were all lined up waiting for our chance to move on or turn.
The fourth, finding a spot at the library. I got the last, a posted 15 minute limit. Beside me a family was eating in their SUV, ready, I guess, to move on if law enforcement showed up and drew their attention to the 15 minute limit. I got out and in the course of locking up noticed a car that had been slept in. Obviously not the intention, and not the first I’d seen over recent years, by any means.
I contemplated getting my groceries and climbing up to the library parking lot with arms loaded, but I thought not (I’m in my eighties). So I lined up again to turn right, then right again for Peacock’s. Not only could I not park, but could hardly move for traffic congestion ‘downtown’.
And people! The dangers were palpable. I thought I’d go around the block when possible and check out the parking behind Peacock’s. By the time I’d lined up again to turn right on to #6, I had reviewed what I had in my pantry – milk powder, and I could make biscuits and do without bread. I could gather wild greens, spread my margarine thin, etc.
At last, at the corner I was very fortunate to be soon faced with a car that was turning left from Hay Bay Rd. onto #6. We ventured out and made our left turns in sync., maybe a little illegally. But, at least, after hold-ups at construction and Singing Sands again, I felt very lucky to get home, even without my shopping.
Very lucky.
I poured myself a strong drink and tried to lose my present in the era of one of the books I’d been lucky enough to pick up.
Oh yes… and I phoned the Municipality. They connected me with Mr. Van Dorp’s voice mail into which I cried “We must stop advertising this place immediately!! Urgent!!” And I left my number and told my story.
It doesn’t take much to understand that we’re the TIP of a beautiful peninsula, surrounded by water on 3 sides without space to expand for vehicles, people, etc. without paving over the nature of the place.
So now when my family would like to come and visit I say it’s okay, as long as you bring everything you’ll need with you and you just plan to stay here with me. Or, at most, drive certain circuits sightseeing. No stopping.
Is this what we want? Where is the long-term comprehensive plan for Tobermory? Maybe we need a parking lot or 2 and a Shuttle Bus… and a downtown for pedestrians only? But we also need seniors’ housing for folks like me who have loved this place for more than 2 decades of residence and thought they’d spend the rest of their lives here.
We need affordable housing. Some planned protection and peace.
Help!
Trustingly,
Bev Sawyer
