Why is YDSS in King 'special?'

The following letter, addressed to Premier Dalton McGuinty, was submitted to the Sentinel for publication.

As reported in the Sept. 13 issue of the Era Banner newspaper; the "Big Pipe" is coming to the north end of York Region. It reported: "East Gwillimbury officials have said only new homeowners will face the cost of hooking up to the pipe." It further reported that connection to the system is not mandatory.

I'm sure that you are aware that King City was recently connected to the YDSS (York-Durham Sewage System), and that all properties are being phased onto the system as construction progresses. Each property owner in King City is forced to pay $12,541 to The Township of King within three months of commissioning. We are charged a further $100 for a "plumbing / drain permit"; and an additional $100 for a "septic tank decommissioning permit." Each homeowner will pay about $175 to have their septic tank pumped out. The cost of decommissioning the septic system and connecting each home to the sewer under the street will be another $3,000 to $5,000 or more; for a grand total of $18,000. We are mandated to connect to YDSS within one year of commissioning. King City is special.

Your electoral candidate in Oak Ridges - Markham, Dr. Helena Jaczek, along with Mayor Margaret Black, were the prime proponents of the connection of King City to YDSS, in spite of massive local resistance to the scheme.

Mr. Premier; is this The Tale of Two Cities? I demand to be treated equally to East Gwillimbury.

E.B. Baldwin,

King City