Comment 4 – comments and feedback
Back to all comments and feedback from the public
Pat Chiocchio
My name is Pat Chiocchio and I live in Welland. I appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on our electoral boundaries. Over the past four years I have been fortunate to represent Welland on Niagara Regional Council, and prior to that to serve as the Ward 4 Welland City Councillor. Thank you for the opportunity to submit feedback on the Commission's proposal on electoral boundaries.
The Niagara Centre riding does not exceed the permittable 25% variance, and I would urge the commission to reconsider itsproposal and maintain the current electoral boundaries. A key priority in the Thorold and Welland strategic plan is to continue to advance the Welland Canal trade corridor partnership.
Welland, Thorold and Port Colborne are connected socially, culturally and economically. At present, the Niagara Region is working on a project for the Quaker Road Sanitary Sewer, that the 2016 Wastewater Master Servicing plan identified as an area of significant growth. The Welland Wastewater Treatment Plant at 505 River Rd receives influent waste waster from sections in Welland, Thorold and Pelham. This development would benefit by retaining the present boundaries.
Additionally, I am concerned on the dividing lines for St.Catharines, Niagara West and the new proposed ?Niagara South? ridings. The current divisions that send downtown Thorold and Western St.Catharines into Niagara West, Downtown Thorold and Brock into St.Catharines and Port Robinson to Niagara South make little sense geographically, and do not fall in line with the natural movements of people, businesses and organizations in the area. This division would create an artificial border.
I understand that when one riding grows, it creates an effect where other ridings may change. In my opinion, the current proposal would not reflect the social/cultural and geographical uniqueness of the ridings. It would be my proposal to retain the Niagara Centre and Niagara West ridings as is, incorporate Niagara-on-the-lake into the St.Catharines Riding, and have the Niagara Falls riding retain Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. This arrangement would maintain the social and economic connections of the municipalities, and allow these communities room to grow in a way that is more natural.
I want to thank the commission for the opportunity to provide feedback.
Sincerely,
Pat Chiocchio