Keep the gate closed except in an emergency in winter, says reader

To the Editor:
RE: "Kincardine residents argue on both sides of the Great Gate Debate"

It makes sense to do as we have been doing for years - open the gate (between Upper Lorne Beach Road and Victoria Street in Inverhuron) in the winter if Highway 21 or the B-line is closed. And only then.

As many people have mentioned, Victoria Street was not meant to be a major thoroughfare by design or width. There are no sidewalks or lamp posts, and the area is sleepily residential. There is no reason to put residents, especially children and bike riders, at risk by leaving the gate open except during emergency winter situations. Even then, Victoria Street, as well, may not be safe for winter travel, which could lead to serious accidents.

Most of the year, the B-line and Highway 21 are available for travel. It behooves the province and municipalities to plant trees along these routes in order to mitigate the blowing snow and white-out problem in years to come. That would be an excellent summer job for students. Farmers who plant tree snow screens along these routes should be given tax deductions, and wind turbine companies and Bruce Power should contribute to this effort as part of their mandate.

In the spring, summer and fall, there are a number of large trucks and construction equipment that speed unchecked along Victoria Street. The dust raised and the noise are untenable. Safety is an issue along many of the blind curves for residents and tourists walking, families riding bikes or people simply driving. Or just walking pets or babies in strollers. That is why limited traffic and a lower speed limit are necessary. And maybe speed bumps should be considered to slow down Victoria Street speeders.

Inverhuron residents should be SURVEYED IN THE SUMMER about whether they want the gate open other than in an emergency situation in the winter. My guess is that the majority will say NO! Further, why would the people on the other side of the gate want increased traffic through their neighbourhood by Inverhuron people heading into town? As well, an open gate thoroughfare could lead to an increase in vandalism and robberies, over and above what we regularly experience, and therefore, the need for an increased OPP presence.

If the proposed water and sewer project goes ahead on Lake Street this summer, there will be greatly increased traffic and parking on Victoria Street as many Lake Street residents will not be able to access their cottages at all from Lake Street. This will be a nightmare!

We know that there will be highway closures in the winter and usually have warning about winter storms. Therefore, Tiverton Park Manor should consider adopting a longer-term protocol for patient prescriptions, whereby, each patient has at least a two-week supply of his/her ongoing medications on hand, extra food is stored, and staff are prepared to stay over, if necessary. And the fuel company should make more frequent visits to refill so that fuel is not down to the wire but is no lower than half-full at all times in the cold weather.

A deputation by one Inverhuron resident for opening the gate and one against other than in an emergency, is not representative. The other deputations were not from Inverhuron residents but from a Tiverton business owner and a B-line resident. I vote for keeping the status quo.

Joanne Martin
Inverhuron Beach