King City resident angry about ditches

I first raised the matter of maintaining the ditches we have been left with following the sanitary sewer installation in King City at a public meeting of Township council June 26, 2006.

I followed that up with a more detailed letter to the editor, carried in our local papers Aug. 16, 2006. A petition was raised in our area earlier that year and circulated through the "older' streets (without storm sewers), namely Hollingsworth, Kingslynn, Elizabeth, Clearview, Patricia and McBride. "proposing" that as the sewer contractors were down 10 12 inches in their trenching, it might be an opportune and logical time to consider the installation of storm drains, thus eliminating the need for open ditches.

It is my understanding that approximately 160 residents signed said document and it was presented to council. They apparently dismissed it out of hand as too expensive, and that was the last we heard of it..

So the resulting ditches (which I have heard described as trenches, gullies, gulches or small ravines - all of them ugly) were left for us to deal with as best we could. In my case, I am obliged to walk in the bottom, cutting horizontally, working up the incline until the mower is up to shoulder height. This is not only difficult, but downright dangerous. It should be added that after a rain, there is usually standing water.

We will jump forward to June 25, 2007, when a large deputation of very angry or disgruntled homeowners from the streets mentioned above met in the Township offices to express their displeasure and concerns with the situation as it stood. we were told that errors had been made and that staff would be reviewing the whole process and reporting back. Several alternatives to alleviate or eliminate the problem were outlined, all at ridiculous and outrageous costs, ranging from $390 to more than $1,000 per metre. The general opinion of those present was that in no way should they be obliged to pay for "mistakes" created by others.

As I reside on Patricia, I will discuss what has occurred since then.

My concerns about the dangers of cutting the grass in the ditches were reduced by the hottest, driest summer on record. That, coupled with our annual water restrictions, precluded any growth whatsoever. Unfortunately, we now have on the north side of the street (mainly between McBride and Elizabeth), totally dead sod, due to its perfect alignment with the searing rays of the sun to the south. A real eyesore. Who will deal with this (not me) and when?

I am suggesting the mayor and council (only two live in the village) visit Patricia Drive to fully appreciate what we are complaining about. If you do come, please note the three properties on the south side, where a continuous culvert was installed. This produced gently contoured lawns to the shoulder, which are aesthetically quite pleasing. Could this not be considered as an option for those of us higher up the hill?

We have constantly been advised that we must expect delays and/or inconveniences during this on-going construction period.

While you are in the area, proceed down Patricia to the east and if you can get through, head back toward Keele via Burton. You can finish your tour by heading back up Keele Street, from Station Road to King Road, and enjoy the 30 (count them) speed bumps that have resulted from surface patches over the sewer connections to each house. A terrible piece of road.

I feel we have been and are being treated like second-class citizens.

"Frustrated and embittered." The headline says it all.

Ray Beale,

King City