King residents need to understand that working together is more productive

Once again, King Township residents, for the most part, are united in their concern for the well-being of their community. But there are differences on the best way to proceed.

Fair enough. That happens frequently, and people who are really concerned will find ways to work together. The worst thing they can do, however, is start fighting among themselves.

The latest issue deals with the efforts of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to construct a peaker hydro generation station somewhere in northern York Region. It's possible that a site in King Township might be selected (although it is important to remember that nothing has been finalized yet).

One thing that is clear is the community doesn't want such a facility in King. If this proposal has any fans living within the boundaries of the Township, then they have been doing an admirable job of maintaining their silence.

We think it's safe to state that the King community, as a whole, doesn't want this. The question now is what its the best way to fight it?

Councillor Cleve Mortelliti put forth a motion that was discussed at the April 28 council meeting, stating that OPA should be informed of the Township's opposition to the possibility of King hosting such a facility.

There was no shortage of residents willing to speak their minds in support of Mortelliti's efforts, but the majority of councillors heeded the words of senior staff, who advised this type of action was premature. Township Solicitor Jose Matera told them they needed sounder information to justify such a stance. That means something more substantial than "we don't want it."

Of course we understand where Mortelliti was coming from when he put forth this motion, and we appreciated why it drew so much public support.

When people find themselves, or things they care about, at risk, they feel the urge to act. They fear that inactivity might cost them valuable momentum in their efforts.

But we have to conclude that the advice council received from senior staff was sound, and the decision by the majority of councillors to be guided by it was based on the best interests of the community.

No member of council has a monopoly on concern in this issue. They are all able to sense the mood of the public and can comprehend what their constituents want.

Thus we would conclude that just about everyone in King is on the same side of this issue. The only differences regard the best way to proceed.

Since everyone is supposedly on the same side, we would think some acts of solidarity might be in order.

Who's going to be first?